Jamal Crawford Praises Devin Booker’s Loyalty and Leadership
PHOENIX – As NBA All-Star Weekend draws to a close, the spotlight shines brightly on the league’s top talent, including Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker. While Booker’s performance in yesterday’s three-point contest didn’t go as planned, he looks to finish strong today.
Former teammate Jamal Crawford, speaking to reporters ahead of his broadcasting duties for the All-Star game, offered high praise for Booker, emphasizing his remarkable consistency. “Just his loyalty,” Crawford stated (via Duane Rankin). “No matter what, through good or bad or indifferent, his loyalty has stayed present and his love of the game has stayed present.”
“Just his loyalty. No matter what, through good or bad or indifferent, his loyalty has stayed present and his love of the game has stayed present.”
Jamal Crawford on Devin Booker as they were teammates in Phoenix in 2018-19.
pic.twitter.com/SBUWIorsu3— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 17, 2024
Crawford continued, “If they had a good team, if they had a bad team, his leadership style didn’t change. His joy for the game every day, trying to get better, is admirable for sure.” Crawford, a celebrated player in his own right, is just one of many voices recognizing the respect Booker has earned throughout the NBA.
Suns coach Jordan Ott echoed this sentiment, stating, “He deserves to be there. He gets to take it in a little bit. So only so many guys get to go. And what he does for us on a night to night basis, he can be proud of where we’re headed, and he’s the straw that stirs it all.”
Booker is currently averaging 25.2 points per game on 45.5% shooting, along with 4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Despite falling short against Damian Lillard in the three-point contest, Booker remains a formidable force.
“It’s a great feat for him,” Booker said (via Duane Rankin) about Lillard. “Dame is somebody I have a lot of respect for. It’s his third time winning it. Somebody I was teammates with in the Olympics. Going into it, I thought it was going to be (Kon Knueppel) or Dame or me, and it ended up being the final round. Some good shooting going on.”
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 3:00 PM MST today. The continued recognition of Booker’s talent and character underscores his importance to the Phoenix Suns and the NBA as a whole.
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