Only gold, no regrets. The Olympic Games in Paris were a big victory for the Phoenix Suns.
Let’s count the victories:
Kevin Durant is back on top, once again a celebrated champion. His legacy may be polarizing and complicated, but Durant is also the undisputed King of the Rings, the most decorated male basketball player in U.S. Olympic history.
A fourth gold medal will certainly boost Durant’s spirits and confirm both his historical greatness and current relevance, and he should be in a great mood when training camp begins.
Devin Booker received rave reviews for his maturity, defense and unselfishness. He made big plays and big shots and willingly took on the hard work. For some observers, it was a revelation.
Before the 2024 Olympics, Booker was a player who was largely hated and trolled by 29 opposing fan bases.
Many NBA fans also believed that Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards would steal Booker’s spot in the starting lineup. Many were convinced that Celtics star Jayson Tatum was a bigger talent and on a different level than Booker. And yet, Booker never lost his spot in the starting lineup while Tatum spent most of the tournament on the bench, much to the chagrin of his coaches and his fans in Boston.
This is thanks to Booker, who has greatly changed the national perception of his game and converted many of his haters and most of the ill-informed.
The combined performance of Durant and Booker has increased the optimism, effort and excitement surrounding the 2024-25 Suns, a team that added a true point guard over the summer and will make up 40 percent of the Olympic team that finished the basketball games in Paris.
Before the 2024 Olympics began, Durant and Booker were the central figures of a cheerless NBA franchise that was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. There were reports that Durant’s mood had become a problem in Phoenix, that he had effectively shut out a coaching staff he did not respect. They were a top-heavy team and a waste of money, and a cautionary tale for the rest of the league, proof that superteams are no longer the quickest path to championships.
A lot has changed, from the scapegoating of Frank Vogel to the signing of Mike Budenholzer, from the signing of Tyus Jones to the glamour and glory that now surrounds Booker and Durant.
The Olympics can be a tricky proposition. Many NBA owners balk at sending their most valuable players to a tournament where the risk can far outweigh the reward, a tournament based on patriotism, not profit. We are proof otherwise, and the 2024 Summer Olympics have been a godsend for Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
No one was injured. His two best players cemented their reputations and personal bonds with outstanding performances in Paris. And when it was over, faith was restored on Planet Orange, where hope is worth its weight in gold.
Reach Bickley at @arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6-10 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
