Booker could be in hurry for Tokyo
Devin Booker might arrive in Tokyo for the upcoming Summer Olympics right before Team USA starts competing for the gold medal.
No problem.
“Booker called me maybe a month ago to express his great desire to be a part of the Olympics and I knew that just because of the relationship,” Team USA director Jerry Colangelo said on Monday, after the U.S. roster was announced with Booker one of the 12 play
ers selected. “I didn’t have to say a word. He said, ‘If we get to the finals and we go all the way, I’ll be on the plane the next day and I’ll be there. It doesn’t matter.’ When you’re young, you can think that way.”
With the Suns attempting to close out the L.A. Clippers in the Western Conference finals on Monday night, and reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, Booker and Phoenix could play as late as July 22. That’s currently the date scheduled for Game 7, although it could move up depending on how both conference finals series play out.
The Olympics open July 23, and preliminary play for the men’s basketball tournament starts July 25, running through Aug. 2. The U.S. opens against France. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Aug. 3, the semifinals Aug. 5 and the medal games Aug. 7.
Booker alluded to all this during an interview June 19 when talking about his commitment to play for Team USA. “I’m sure it’s going to be a short turnaround after the season, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Booker said.
Colangelo also wanted to have Booker’s All-Star backcourt mate, Chris Paul, on Team USA, but the twotime Olympic gold medal winner (2008, 2012) testing positive for COVID-19 during this year’s playoffs factored in that decision.
“I would’ve loved to have had Chris Paul for a whole bunch of reasons,” said Colangelo about the 36-year-old NBA veteran. “He’s one of my favorite guys and players. He’s an incredible leader. I thought he was out until I heard from him and he wanted to reconsider that. So I just waited and then unfortunately, COVID played another role this time and kind of knocked him out and so we just had to move on and it was as simple as that. I know he’s pulling for us and he knows I’m pulling for him.”
The 12-man Team USA roster: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
“It’s a blessing, man,” Booker said earlier this month. “I’ve had great conversations with (Colangelo and Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich). I’m really excited about that.”
After a brief training camp that starts July 6 in Las Vegas, the U.S. men will play five exhibition games starting July 10 facing Nigeria, Australia twice, Argentina and Spain. Booker, Holiday and Middleton would miss the camp should they reach the NBA Finals.
“We’re going to have players to fill in for training camp and some of them are players who are playing elsewhere around the world who have the availability to participate if we need help,” Colangelo said. “We have a bunch of young guys coming in from the select team. We’re going to have enough players to make it all work.”
Colangelo, who was once team owner of the Suns, is excited to have Booker on Team USA as he is averaging 27.1 points through 14 playoff games in his first postseason run.
“Booker has developed into a real star in my opinion and it’s an incredible story when you think that he never started in college and he’s become the player that he has,” said Colangelo in referring to Booker coming off the bench in his one-and-done season (2014-15) at Kentucky.
“There’s so many parts of his game now he can contribute. I’m very excited and happy for him to get the opportunity.”
Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire were the last Suns to play for USA in the Summer Olympics as they won bronze in 2004.
Charles Barkley (1992, 1996) and Jason Kidd (2000) won gold for USA while with the Suns.