Women’s basketball legend Dawn Staley called Devin Booker the “unsung hero” for Team USA after the very first game of the Paris Olympics. Now, the U.S. is now 5-0 and headed to the gold medal game with Booker starting all five contests, as he continues to be praised and relied upon heavily.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!During Thursday’s 95-91 comeback win over Serbia, USA coach Steve Kerr used Booker alongside four MVPs in Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid to close the game. The U.S. wound up winning the fourth quarter 32-15 with Booker playing all 10 minutes after Serbia led 76-63 heading into the period.
NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins used the same words Staley did when describing how critical Booker has been to Team USA on First Take this morning.
“Let me tell you who has been the unsung hero throughout this entire tournament. It has been Devin Booker,” Perkins said. “Devin Booker has been phenomenal. Devin Booker was in the game yesterday when it mattered the most, and he played his role to a T. Sliding, getting over screens, holding his corners, spacing the floor, doing everything that he needed to be a star in his role to help the team win.”
.@KendrickPerkins says Devin Booker has been the unsung hero for Team USA ???? pic.twitter.com/fq8skKTkUM
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 9, 2024
Thursday’s game was Booker’s worst statistical game of the Olympics, as he only had six points and one assist, but as Perkins said, he once again did all of the little things to help Team USA win. The most memorable moment came when he hit a 3-pointer to bring the U.S. within five with just over seven minutes remaining. Stephen Curry, who had the U.S.’s best single-game performance yet with 36 points and nine 3-pointers, said he felt the momentum shift after this 3.
Book knocks it down & it’s a 5-point game.
???? USA Network + Peacock
???????? #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball
pic.twitter.com/wm8X57F9iX— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 8, 2024
Additionally, Booker did a ton that won’t show up in the box score, such as picking up Serbia’s guards full court, fighting through screens and being a floor spacer offensively with the talent on the floor alongside him. The Serbians were 15-for-30 from 3 through three quarters, but went 0-for-9 from deep as a team in the fourth in large part due to ball pressure the U.S. put on them.
Booker’s team-leading +112 plus/minus through both the five Olympic game and the U.S.’s five exhibition games reflects just how big his impact has been on Team USA,
Updated plus/minus for Team USA through 10 games:
Devin Booker: +112
Steph Curry: +82
LeBron James: +77
Kevin Durant: +77
Jrue Holiday: +73
Anthony Edwards: +70
Anthony Davis: +69
Bam Adebayo: +67
Joel Embiid: +63
Jayson Tatum: +36
Derrick White: +31
Tyrese Haliburton: +24 https://t.co/fmNBtiGFJz— Cody Hunt (@co_dhunt) August 8, 2024
The way Booker has been able to play his role is why Kerr has started him all five games and played him in the big moments, while other players like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum are either coming off the bench or not playing.
A lot of basketball fans have come to appreciate what they’re seeing from Booker.
I know he's not remotely one of the storylines right now, but it feels notable that Devin Booker is closing this game alongside four MVPs. Says a lot about how much respect he's earned from Steve Kerr and these superstars.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) August 8, 2024
I just want to say…I respect the hell out of Devin Booker.
This on ball defense, that smart blockout for that Curry lay-up…
he's done SO many little things so far in this tournament that needs to be appreciated.
— Zena Keita (@itszenakeita) August 8, 2024
Devin Booker has never gotten more positive PR in his life. Gonna enjoy it until the fake hate takes over again, when the NBA season starts. ????
— pain (@CHREEZUSCHRIST) August 8, 2024
Nobody talking bout it but this Booker 3 was so badly needed pic.twitter.com/lU6Ntzpib1
— BeastBron???????? (@bronisabeast) August 9, 2024
Devin Armani Booker put on a masterclass in fighting through screens today and that won’t show up on the stat sheet
— aaron. (@ayroned) August 8, 2024
Team USA will look for its fifth-straight Olympic gold medal tomorrow against host-country France at 12:30 p.m. MST.
Devin Booker hits big 3 in Team USA’s massive comeback against Serbia
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
