"A special type of person": Damian Lillard applauds Devin Booker's selfless play with Team USA in Paris Olympics
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard reflected on Devin Booker's impactful performance for Team USA during the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. In a star-studded roster that included LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, Booker emerged as one of the main guys for coach Steve Kerr.
Lillard praised the Phoenix Suns superstar for putting the team's priorities above his personal success. The eight-time NBA All-Star highlighted Booker as a prime example for young kids.
"Anytime you look at a guy who’s a superstar player in the league and is humble enough and has a winning mentality, so he’s a star amongst stars," Lillard said in an interview.
"Everybody can’t be a star. Everybody can’t have the ball. Everybody can’t score the points. Somebody gotta be willing to play a role and just contribute to what the ultimate goal is," he added.
Booker executed his role sublimely as Coach Kerr's Team USA won the country's 17th Olympic gold medal.
Whether it was picking up an opposing player full court, navigating through screens, or contesting every shot, the four-time NBA All-Star's effort on the court was both impressive and commendable.
Lillard, who won the gold medal with Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, spoke about Booker's mentality and called the 27-year-old a special type of person.
"I thought watching the games, I thought it was extremely obvious that he went into it with that mentality," Lillard continued.
"Like I’m gonna pick guys up, I’m gonna get into the ball, make open shots, I’m gonna compete for the team. I think it takes a special type of person to take that role when there’s so many outside voices and people talking about every little thing, and he definitely did that," the Bucks' point guard added.
Devin Booker in Paris Olympics
Devin Booker was elite on both ends of the floor in France. In addition to playing suffocating defense, the Suns superstar excelled on offense, hitting several crucial shots in clutch moments.
The former Kentucky guard averaged 11.7 points and 22 minutes while starting all six games for Team USA. Booker shot 56.8% from the field, including 56.5% from the 3-point range. Overall, the Suns guard made 25 out of his 44 shots, including 13-of-23 from beyond the arc.
He also averaged 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Booker's lion-hearted and selfless performance earned him the "unsung MVP" praise from coach Kerr.