During Fanatics Fest, Minnesota Timberwolves rising star Anthony Edwards met with Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant and former NBA star Jalen Rose. While discussing his experience with Team USA at the Paris Olympics, the 23-year-old made a surprising statement:

“(Stephen Curry) had great games. (Kevin Durant) had great games. (LeBron James) had great games. But (Devin Booker) was the best player blocking shots. Because Book (can) score 70 points. I’m not going to lie, I was impressed watching him.”

Ant Man: “Steph had great games, he (KD) had great games, Lebron had great games, but Book covered the best player, blocked shots, Book made seventy, I’m not lying, I was impressed watching him.” #FanaticsFest

🫡 @DevinBook @theantedwards_ @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/KHJkgjW5t6

— Whyba (@wbhuvad) 17 August 2024

Booker averaged 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and 0.5 steals in 22.0 minutes per game at the Paris Olympics. He shot 56.8 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from the three-point line. His efficiency was partly a byproduct of his shot selection. Unlike in the NBA, he was not tasked with being the offensive engine.

By the end of the tournament, he was probably sixth in the pecking order, behind Durant, Edwards, Los Angeles Lakers point forward LeBron James, Golden State Warriors scorer Stephen Curry and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

Anthony Edwards surprisingly names his “most impressive” teammate

Booker has worked hard to be one of the most effective scorers even when he is the man you can rely on.

He hasn’t scored 70 points since that special night in his sophomore season, but he’s had at least one game of 45 or more points in every season since. Last season, he scored 62 points against the Indiana Pacers in late January. But his point totals are only half the story.

The former lottery pick has made at least 46 percent of his field goals over the past six seasons. For a player who began his career with a 42.6 percent field goal percentage over his first three seasons, this was his most effective change. The Suns have a total record of just 290-308 with Booker. However, they have won 172 of those games (59.3 percent) in which he made over 45.0 percent of his field goals.

Yet Booker has long been considered an offensive-minded player. At the same time, he is considered a weak link on defense. He is not a great defensive player and has averaged less than one steal per game in his career. He spends far more energy scoring than preventing his opponents from scoring.

That’s what made Booker’s performance at the Paris Olympics so remarkable. On a team full of all-stars, each player only had to do so much heavy lifting on offense. However, no one expected Booker to take his defensive duties so seriously.

Of course, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White made some outstanding plays on defense. Nevertheless, Booker was solid. The 6’6″ guard’s length and effort played a key role in the US team winning gold.

Can Devin Booker hold on?

It will be interesting to see how his performance at the Olympics will impact his play with the Suns from now on.

The rules of the NBA and FIBA ​​differ in that it’s simply easier to play strong defense overseas. Additionally, he has a much higher offensive responsibility in Phoenix. However, if Booker can take the next step and make a consistent impact in both directions, the Suns have a much better chance of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy while he’s the face of the franchise.