In one of the most talked-about moments from Season 6, Episode 96 of It Is What It Is, Cam’ron didn’t hold back when addressing comments made by Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles—and fans are still buzzing.
For context, Lyles made waves during a press conference where he expressed frustration with NBA players referring to themselves as “world champions” after winning the Finals.
His argument was rooted in the idea that NBA teams don’t compete against global squads—they play within an American league with mostly U.S.-based teams. His exact quote, “You’re not world champions. You’re NBA champions,” rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, especially those within the sports and entertainment world who see the NBA as the pinnacle of basketball talent worldwide.
Enter Cam’ron, who took serious issue with Lyles’ remarks and made his position crystal clear. In typical Cam fashion, he pulled no punches. The episode kicked off with Cam’ron shaking his head in disbelief and going off: “Who the hell is this guy?” he asked, pointing out that most people wouldn’t recognize Lyles outside of Olympic circles.
He questioned the timing and purpose of Lyles’ comments, implying that they felt more like a clout-chasing move than a genuine critique of global sports hierarchy.
Cam’ron’s co-host, Ma$e, tried to offer a more measured response, suggesting that while Lyles’ tone was off, his broader point about international competition wasn’t entirely invalid. But Cam wasn’t having it. He pushed back hard, listing off the international stars who dominate the NBA—like Luka Dončić, Giannis
Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić—to argue that the league is global in talent, even if it’s based in the U.S. “The best from every country come here to compete,” Cam emphasized, “so when you win here, you’re beating the best in the world.”
The debate quickly turned into a larger conversation about respect, platform, and legacy. Cam’ron made a fiery comparison between Lyles and other Olympians who let their performance do the talking, suggesting that Lyles should “win more, talk less.” It was a classic Cam moment—raw, animated, and soaked in streetwise confidence.
What made this episode stand out wasn’t just the headline moment, but how it highlighted the different generational and cultural perspectives on sports. Cam’ron represented the unapologetic voice of the streets and die-hard fans who see the NBA as untouchable. Meanwhile, Ma$e brought a slightly more nuanced angle, reminding viewers that not every take—even if unpopular—is made in bad faith.
Fans of It Is What It Is are used to these passionate clashes, but Episode 96 was peak entertainment. It offered more than a viral moment; it opened a dialogue about international validation, sports supremacy, and who gets to define greatness in modern athletics.
At the end of the day, whether you agree with Cam’ron or Noah Lyles, the moment underscores how powerful—and polarizing—words can be when spoken on a public platform. And if there’s one thing we learned from this episode, it’s this: never underestimate Cam when it comes to defending the NBA.
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