The 2024 Paris Olympics have given Anthony Edwards a new perspective. For the first time since the start of his professional basketball career, the 23-year-old saw many of his strongest NBA rivals as teammates while playing for Team USA. As a result, he may have come to appreciate their skills and prowess on the court in a different way. While the Timberwolves star may have been astounded by LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s prowess as anyone else, his recent revelation showed that one particular star definitely performed better than expected. Someone who Steve Kerr himself described as the “Unsung MVP” the Olympic Games.

Today, both Edwards and Kevin Durant attended Fanatics Fest. During an interview, the Timberwolves shooting guard talked about the U.S. team’s recent gold medal win at the Olympics and took the opportunity to praise Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. Edwards praised the performances of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Durant, saying Booker really impressed him. “But Book covered the best player and blocked shots. Book made seventy, I’m not going to lie, I was impressed when I watched him.”

Anthony Edwards has played against Devin Booker and his team many times in the NBA and was humiliated by the Phoenix Suns with a 1-11 record. However, playing on the same team gave him a chance to see the Suns player in a different light. Devin Booker did not disappoint, averaging 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the course of six games.

In addition to his offensive strength, the 27-year-old also took on the role of a defender, something he is not known for in the NBA. During the semifinal against Serbia, Team USA found itself in a difficult position, trailing 63-76 at the start of the fourth round of matches. Quarter. While Stephen Curry took over the offense, Devin Booker tried to keep point guard Vasilije Micic in check. After each of his team’s points, the Suns star was on his rival’s heels to distract him during the first seconds of possession. At one point, he efficiently blocked the Serbian when Curry had the ball, allowing the NBA three-point leader to make an easy layup. Thanks to Booker’s efforts, Micic finished the final quarter with zero points and zero assists.

As Anthony Edwards pointed out, Booker had the potential to score 70 points if he wanted to. After all, Devin Booker had already accomplished this feat in a 2017 game against the Boston Celtics, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to do so. However, if the semifinal game showed anything, it was that Devin Booker put his own offensive skills aside to prioritize his role as a defender on the team. In the end, his defensive efforts paid off and he secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Devin Bookers ‘sacrifice’ did not go unnoticed by his fans. After all, the 4x NBA All-Star received praise from two prominent NBA legends in addition to Edwards.

Steve Kerr and Dwyane Wade send flowers to Devin Booker

Despite never winning an Olympic gold medal as a player, head coach Steve Kerr has now successfully led two different U.S. teams to victory. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he was criticized for limiting the playing time of prominent players such as Jayson Tatum. However, Kerr justified this by saying: “It’s not what I don’t see in Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen in the other guys.” Given that Devin Booker played 132 minutes, the fourth-highest playing time in the 12-man squad, Kerr definitely considered him one of the “other types.”

During the press conference after the final against France, Kerr answered questions about LeBron, Curry and Durant for over 30 minutes. He also had the following to say about Booker: “Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player. He’s been incredible all season. What he does, play by play, is rock solid. He’s completely changed his role from the NBA to now. He was our secret MVP. I just wanted to say that.” Both Curry and Durant, who was sitting next to Kerr, nodded in agreement.

Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is best known for his role in 2008. ‘Repay’ team. However, since he has been retired from professional basketball for over five years, he flew to Paris as part of NBC’s commentary team. Wade was so impressed by Booker’s game against Brazil that it reminded him of his own time as a player. “When you play a role like Devin Booker, a role like me or a role like Bam (Adebayo) on an Olympic team, you play that every night.” This comment came just a week after Wade said “I think a lot of people forget that Devin Booker is a great defender.”

Devin Booker’s versatility was showcased at the Olympics, and with his skills on display in the 2024-25 NBA season, the Suns veteran could finally win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Before you go, be sure to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.