Before Paris 2024, no coach had ever put Booker in a 3-and-D position. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cole did just that. On the one hand, it is because the team's Zhan Duku lineup is luxurious enough, and Booker's coffee position is not enough for him to control the ball. On the other hand, this is also Booker's promise.

When the United States men's basketball team lost the World Cup last September, Kuzma tweeted: "If some stars know how to be role players, the United States men's basketball team will be better." Everybody's great with the ball in hand, but are you okay with defending well and being in the bottom corner for a couple of rounds? Booker said: "I will do that. ”

Booker's remarks were ignored until nearly a year later, when Booker and Team United States returned to the top of the world and once again achieved revenge at the Olympics. Fans found out that Booker is really a man who does what he says.

At Tokyo 2021, Booker had just lost the finals, and he was on the same plane to Japan as Middleton and Holiday who had just beaten them. But throughout the Olympics, Booker was quite professional and hardworking, which left a deep impression on Kerr.

"Booker is the kind of player who takes 20 shots in an NBA game, but at the Tokyo Olympics, he was more of a defender, a ball-shifting role and did a really good job," Kerr said. That's why he's been recruited again, he's the perfect FIBA player. ”

Many players may not be able to adapt to a completely different role for the rest of their lives, and in the NBA he is the absolute voice of the team, but at United States, his prestige is not worth mentioning. And Booker's transformation of identity roles is quite silky.

It's no surprise that within the Suns, Booker's character is also in the jack-of-all-trades type. When the team didn't have a point guard, Booker was on top. When Beal arrives and needs the ball, Booker can also go to the bottom corner.

Booker's scoring prowess was so prominent that the rest of his brilliance was overwritten. I believe that as long as he is willing to play 3D, he is the best 3D player in the league.

At the Paris Olympics, Booker started from defense and played like a sapper on the court, as he promised. He worked hard and complained, and there was no word of complaint. There were even some fast-break opportunities, he could have "alone" to attack the frame by himself, but he still chose to steady the pace and hand over the ball.

When the team needed Booker's projection to enrich the game, Booker didn't forget his housekeeping skills. Booker averaged 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from three-point range. He had a total of 20 assists and only three turnovers.

His terrifying shooting efficiency, if he had to brush it, would be the scoring champion in the United States team. Booker is the only three players to start from start to finish at the Games, the other two being Janku. In the end, we also saw that Janduku + Booker is Kerr's core lineup, the most secure hole card.

Many people will subconsciously still put Booker in the category of young players, in fact, Booker will be 28 years old next season, and he will be a veteran who will be 32 years old when he arrives at the next Olympics.

After the United States won the championship, Kerr was interviewed and saw that reporters did not ask him questions about Booker, and Kerr himself said: "Booker is an incredible basketball player. No one asked him. He's our uncelebrated MVP. I just wanted to say that. ”

Booker's Edwards, who has always been eager to compete with his big brother at the Olympics, proved that momentum is not enough for young people to get to the top of the game. The real key is sacrifice and dedication, take every opportunity you can give to the team, and keep your feet on the ground regardless of the hard work, the coach will see you.

Perhaps in the rankings next season, Edwards will still be a more famous point guard than Booker. But at least at this Olympics, Booker's performance is greater than Edwards' in my heart.

That's why Wade said in the interview: "Four years later, I think Booker can be the man who leads the United States men's basketball team." "Four years from now, in Los Angeles, when the old guys are leaving one by one, Booker, who leads by example, will usher in a new role of his own.