Video: Knicks' Josh Hart Tells Jalen Brunson He Wanted Noah Lyles to Lose at Olympics

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIAugust 15, 2024

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Jalen Brunson #11 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

New York Knicks star Josh Hart admitted on the Roommates Show with teammate Jalen Brunson that he wanted American sprinter Noah Lyles to lose in the Paris Summer Olympics.

Roommates Show @Roommates__Show
Josh on Noah Lyles:<br><br>"I really wanted him to lose… you know what, respect. I can't even hate no more."<br><br>Full episode: <a href="https://t.co/UxWjUlxx5M">https://t.co/UxWjUlxx5M</a> <a href="https://t.co/s9noouVwan">pic.twitter.com/s9noouVwan</a>

Lyles caught the ire of NBA players (and NBA Twitter) last year with his now infamous comments regarding the Association calling the NBA Finals winner the "world champion."

"You know what hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have 'world champion' on their head. World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong. I love the U.S. — at times — but that ain't the world. That is not the world. We are the world. We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show that they are represented. There ain't no flags in the NBA. We gotta do more. We gotta be presented to the world."

That didn't sit well with some.

SportsCenter @SportsCenter
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and other NBA players respond to Noah Lyles' comments. <a href="https://t.co/O1eApkNpFG">pic.twitter.com/O1eApkNpFG</a>

But many turned out to be winners this summer. Twelve NBA players representing the United States took home the gold in men's hoops. And Lyles won gold in the 100m, which gained Hart's respect.