Few athletes had a better time than Devin Booker at the Olympic Games in Paris. Not only did he win his second gold medal with his country, he also proved in starting and closing the most important games that he truly is one of the best players in the world.
In doing so alongside Phoenix Suns teammate Kevin Durant, the pair proved that the organization are actually in a really nice spot heading into 2024-25, even if last season didn't go as planned. With a true point guard in Tyus Jones now in the mix, the hope is that balance will be restored and both Booker and Durant can get back to do what each does best.
In the wake of the gold medal victory though, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr had the ultimate compliment for Booker.
The 2024 Olympic Games will forever be known as the occasion when Stephen Curry caught fire from beyond the arc in the final two games to steer Team USA to victory. Behind that storyline will sit the fact we got to see Curry, Durant and LeBron James team up and play competitive basketball with each other. Truly the best way to close out this era of basketball.
Coach Kerr was understandably asked all about these storylines after defeating France in the gold medal game, as well as a whole host of Curry related questions. He's coached Curry for a decade now, yet these games felt like a new level in the relationship the duo have, especially surrounded by so many superstars.
To close out the media availability though - and while doing so unprompted - Kerr had this to say to Ben Golliver of The Washington Post. "Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just wanted to say that." Now that is high praise indeed.
To feel the need to name drop Booker like that speaks volumes about the positive impact he clearly had on this group, and the impression he made on the coaching staff. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised, as Booker was the first person to publicly offer to play a role for Team USA in the wake of their World Cup disaster last year.
I’ll do it https://t.co/77PBGNEQ0W
— Book (@DevinBook) September 12, 2023
Which is why Kerr felt the need to speak up. Defending at a high level is not something that is picked up on at the best of times - certainly not by casual fans who fall in love with Curry's 3-pointers above all else - but Booker actually looked like he took a step forward in that area throughout the Olympics.
To willingly defend at such a high level - and rarely get rewarded with a possession to himself on the offensive end afterwards - is exactly the tone that needed to be set. This is to say nothing of Booker's scoring abilities, as he led Team USA in that category at halftime of what was a closer gold medal game than they would like to admit.
Acknowledged. pic.twitter.com/kSBPJmoXYw
— Booker Muse (@DevinBookerMuse) August 11, 2024
Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports also had a wonderful breakdown of just how important and selfless Booker was in moving and creating space for the likes of Curry to go to work to score the points needed to win. Things that will never show up on social media - never mind a box score - but which coach Kerr saw and felt the need to point out.
After a disappointing campaign with the Suns, this is exactly what he needed. Booker had to watch as Jayson Tatum won a championship with the Boston Celtics, before reminding everybody in having a huge role with the national team that actually he is a player that is trusted when all the stars come together to be out there when it counts.