• Slug: Sports–Suns Players Team USA, 1,000 words.
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By Devon Henderson
Cronkite News

PARIS – Team USA men’s basketball has assembled what some call one of the country’s best ever for the Paris Olympics, and they needed a heavy contribution from the Phoenix Suns to do it. On a team filled with transcendent NBA All-Stars on a 12-deep roster, having standout contributions can be nearly impossible.

In its first three Olympic group stage games, all wins, Suns guard Devin Booker was featured in the starting lineup. On Wednesday in a 103-86 win against South Sudan, Suns forward Kevin Durant led the team in scoring with 23 points and logged the second-most minutes played with just under 22. The only player with more game time was Booker with just over 22 minutes. On Saturday during a 104-73 win over Puerto Rico, the pair combined for 20 points.

A team featuring headline last names such as James, Curry, Tatum and Edwards has deferred to relying on the influence of the stars from the Valley of the Sun. The Team USA women’s basketball team also pulls strength from the Desert as three Phoenix Mercury players – Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Kahleah Copper – represent a fourth of that 12-person team. These Olympics have showcased the growing influence the 48th state has had on the basketball landscape.

“We got Phoenix all over,” Booker said. “We have three on the women’s team, so we’re well represented. (Phoenix is a) basketball town and we want to put the city on the map. No better way than winning gold.”

This Olympic men’s group features five players in the top 15 among active NBA players in career points scored. In a team so saturated with boundless offensive talent, it’s natural that some players, who may be used to a high offensive usage rate, see their scoring opportunities diluted. It’s necessary even for this sacrifice to happen for the betterment of the team.

No one on the squad has embodied this more than nine-year veteran Devin Booker. Having played his whole career for the Suns, last season Booker averaged 19 shot attempts per game.. In two games for Team USA, despite playing the most combined minutes on the team, he’s taken a resounding 12 total. He’s assumed a more defensive role guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter guard.

Offensively, he’s resorted to becoming the team’s de facto point guard at times, acting as the team’s playmaking engine and setting up others to score. His 11 assists over two games are second on the squad only to LeBron James (14). He’s become a tertiary, and at times, a quaternary scorer.

“(Booker) has been the guy who’s been the most adaptable to go from a different role in the NBA to a new one here,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s such a big scorer in the league. He’s adapted to being an on-ball (lead playmaker) guy. 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.”

Many players struggle to see their point total decrease game-by-game. Booker doesn’t mind.

“I always took pride in being able to do a little bit of everything on the court,” Booker said. “I try to be solid all-around even if it’s not scoring the ball. Just defending at a high level, making sure everybody is involved, and making space for guys to do what they do.”

Booker’s running mate in Phoenix since 2023, Durant is widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest-ever players, especially at the Olympics level. He ranks eighth all-time in career points scored in the NBA and is the second-highest among active players. As far as points scored for Team USA, he’s second to no one and it’s not particularly close. His 472 points amassed over his now four Olympics played in, is 136 more than those produced by three-time Olympic gold medal winner,Carmelo Anthony, who poured in 336 points for his country.

Points scored aren’t the only place in which Durant has positioned himself to separate from Anthony. He is currently tied with the former All-NBA forward for the most men’s basketball gold medals with three. Should the United States take gold for the fifth straight time, it would be Durant’s record-breaking fourth such medal. That record, however, would be for men’s players only. Fellow Phoenix basketball legend Taurasi has already collected five and has her sights set on leaving Paris with her sixth, the most overall.

In Durant’s first Olympics in 2012, he was the new 23-year-old scoring phenom fresh on the scene. At that time, he had just come off an NBA season where he averaged 28 points per game, led the league in scoring and spearheaded an Oklahoma City Thunder finals appearance. He started all eight games that summer, leading the team in minutes played and points per game with 19.5 per contest.

Fast forward 12 years and an illustrious, MVP and two-time championships-winning career later, and like Booker, Durant has seen his role change. In two games played so far, he’s come off the bench in both contests. The switch has been different than Booker’s though. While Booker has gone from scorer to playmaker and defender, Durant is still a scorer. The league icon is now the third oldest on the roster and has seen his role change from young star to elder statesman.

“I’ve been around such a long time,” Durant said. “Guys (on the team) have seen me since I was a kid in the league. So to see that come full circle is a humbling experience.”

Both Suns superstars are at the forefront of America’s charge for more golden glory. They’re going to do everything in their power to run the table in Paris and make a statement of basketball dominance upon the world at large. Whether they’re the leading scorers or starting every game. Or not.

Whatever it takes, by any means necessary.

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