The mood around Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns is great right now. Real Not only was he instrumental in helping the US national team win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but he also seemed to overtake Jayson Tatum in the debate over which player is better.
Starting for Team USA – and playing in the deciding moments – Booker was everything his country needed from him. But with that kind of attitude, would anyone have expected anything else? After a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season with the Suns, this was exactly what Booker needed.
Edwards spent his time with the national team getting uncomfortably close to Booker’s teammate Kevin Durant, but he still found time to appreciate Booker’s play. Surprisingly, it was the defense that caught Edwards’ attention, as he told the assembled crowd at the recent Fanatics event:
“Steph had great games, he (Durant, who was sitting next to him on the stage) had great games, LeBron had great games, but Book was covering the best player and blocking shots… Book gets 70 (in NBA games). I’m not going to lie, I was impressed watching him.”
Edwards’ praise is all the more intriguing because it was his Minnesota Timberwolves that knocked the Suns out of the playoffs last season. That’s why Edwards looks like Durant’s spiritual successor in the league. He just loves playing basketball and he speaks his mind, whether it’s a teammate or an opposing player.
But praising Booker’s defensive play — shortly after head coach Steve Kerr named Booker the “secret MVP” of the gold medal race — speaks volumes about the superstar’s game. He easily could have scored more goals for the national team, but he sacrificed perhaps more than any other player to bring home gold.
The first regular season game between the Suns and Timberwolves is already set to be a must-see, and it will be interesting to see if Booker tries to shut down Edwards as the game progresses. Either way, Booker’s reputation as a selfless star who can impress on both ends of the court is a new and welcome development for fans outside of the Valley.
