Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker sends message to Team USA

PHOENIX – We’re now at the point in the offseason where two members of the Phoenix Suns are representing U.S. basketball at the 2024 Olympics in Paris — and the second game of the five-game exhibition series was played yesterday.

The Americans took a lead of more than 20 points in the third quarter, but sloppy play brought the Australian national team back into the game before the United States sealed a 98-92 victory.

Devin Booker came off the bench but managed to finish second on the team with 16 points, while Kevin Durant missed another game with what was described as a mild calf strain.

Booker has been frequently praised for his willingness to play different roles as a superstar on a roster full of other superstars — it’s what earned him a starting role on the 2020 gold medal-winning team in Tokyo.

Booker has also taken on a vocal leadership role within the team, as indicated by his post-game comments which were quite pointed towards the team as a whole.

“We understand that time is not on our side. We have to get things back in order quickly and play like we did in the second half today… we will not win a gold medal.”

– Booker on Team USA’s sloppy play

It seems like this is simply a call for the Americans to play better as a whole. They remain the most talented team on the planet, and two closer-than-expected decisions in exhibition games could be the catalyst for more honest conversations about the team.

But it could also very well translate into Booker trying to turn things around in the NBA.

One of the biggest complaints about the Suns in 2023-24 was a perceived lack of vocal leadership — something that previously wasn’t an issue for Booker.

It appears the soon-to-be 10-year veteran is taking everything he’s learned over the years and putting it to good use both in international ball and, therefore, in the upcoming Phoenix Suns season.

The hiring of Mike Budenholzer as head coach and the obvious improvements around the margins make it clear that the Suns are trying to turn the entire situation around — and Booker will almost certainly be completely on board with the coming culture change.