Heading to the Paris Olympics, head coach Steve Kerr hinted that he would keep LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid in Team USA's starting lineup. Kerr said he liked the combination of the three during their five exhibition contests.
But after two games in the group stage of the 2024 Olympics men's basketball tournament, the constants in Kerr's starting unit are LeBron, Steph, and Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker .
Team USA critics wondered why Kerr needs another shooter in his starting lineup when he already has the best shooter of all time in Curry. However, the Golden State Warriors head coach defended his decision to start D-Book by saying that he has been the most adjustable player on the team.
"He's probably been the guy who's been most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here," he said.
D-Book has shined even without scoring
Booker is one of the top scorers in the NBA. He's averaged at least 26 points per contest in five out of the last six seasons, including 27.1 points per game during the 2023-24 NBA campaign. D-Book has also attempted at least 19 shots per game in six out of his last seven years in the league.
But playing on a star-studded team in the 2024 Olympics, those numbers are significantly down for the Suns star.
"He's such a big scorer in the league, but just like in Tokyo, he's adapted to being an on-ball guy, ball mover, the offense clicks when he's out there, and the defense is really good. That's why he's started every game and seems to be good with any combination," Kerr added.
After their first two games in the Olympics, Booker is averaging a mere 11.0 points on six field goal attempts. However, he has shot an ultra-efficient 60.0% from the field and 71% from three-point distance. More importantly, D-Book has been a standout on the defensive end of the court.
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Thriving as a defender
At 1.5 steals per game in the 2024 Olympics, Booker only ranks behind Derrick White (2.5 SPG) and Anthony Edwards (2.0 SPG) in that statistical department. However, it's not just the numbers.
Devin is terrific as an on-ball defender, which is something even Dwyane Wade noted while doing the TV broadcast of the games. While the other starting guard, Curry, is not known as a good defender, Booker somewhat balances that while also providing Team USA with more firepower.
D-Book's versatility has earned him a spot on Kerr's starting unit and made him the most consistent member of the U.S. team. Booker's average playing time of 24.0 minutes per game leads the squad. As long as he continues to showcase his all-around brilliance and adaptability, he'll continue to have Kerr's confidence.
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