"Damn, I really wanted to see him lose at all costs" was one of the gems from the latest episode of the acclaimed podcast hosted by the newly minted Knicks captain, Jalen Brunson, and his dear friend Hart.

In one of their many digressions on various topics—something that characterises the podcast’s idiosyncrasy—the two colleagues were reviewing the summer’s big event, the Paris 2024 Olympics. Hart began his rant by stating, "I feel like for most of these Olympics I was very patriotic: I wanted Team USA to win gold."

Nevertheless, Brunson’s contained chuckles slightly guided what Hart, ever so candid, was about to unleash. Thus, the Knicks point guard tried to throw Hart a lifeline, aiming to avoid any controversy. Yet, the moment, combined with the comedy and carefree attitude of both, led JB to egg on his co-host and encourage him to finish his thought.

That’s when the forward dropped the famous line, exposing runner Noah Lyles, and the laughter multiplied. From then on, Hart backtracked and confessed, "I hated him and thought: 'Damn, you know what? Respect. I can’t even hate him anymore.'"

Despite the criticism directed at the 27-year-old athlete, Lyles ended up with two medals from the Olympic event. He came from behind in the 100 metres to narrowly defeat Jamaican Kishane Thompson, though he fell to third place in the 200 metres, securing the bronze. 

Later, it was revealed that the Floridian was suffering from Covid. Could that have been the reason for his failure in the second event? It’s unknown. Lyles' entourage, however, confirms that this was the case.

The fact is, outside of the joke, this uneven cold war, where Noah Lyles has garnered extreme dislike from the vast NBA fanbase, especially on social media X, continues to linger today. All over a trivial question Lyles posed after his perfect hat-trick (gold in 100m, 200m, and 4x100m) last year at the Budapest World Athletics Championships.

“World Champions of what?” the new global sprinting icon smirked during a press conference. With that question, the US sprinter triggered the NBA for calling the season winners world champions. When in reality, they are merely champions of the United States, despite many considering the NBA's global star power could genuinely make them such.

His playful comments provoked a reaction from thousands of fans, who attacked the runner. Among the NBA players and other new detractors, the legendary forward Kevin Durant also weighed in on Instagram saying, “Someone help this brother.”

Indeed, the question was brutally taken as an offence by all American leagues. Not to mention, NFL star and Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill recently took a jab at Lyles in an interview, joining the NBA versus Lyles war by claiming he would "beat him in a race," and questioning the legitimacy of his Covid illness as an excuse for his bronze in the 200 metres.

Regardless, this controversy continues to simmer. Whether it is now part of a show with a comedic nature, like Hart’s episode, or a war that promises to continue for years to come, remains to be seen.