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“Was the Plane Ride Awkward With Devin Booker?”: Khris Middleton Recalls Team USA’s Tokyo Trip Right After 2021 Championship Win vs Suns

Published 09/17/2023, 12:44 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Personal ambition at the highest level of basketball often damages the bond between the NBA stars. The relationship between Devin Booker and Khris Middleton was suspected to be the same recently due to the 2021 finals. Following that, Middleton candidly talked about his time with the Phoenix Suns rival during Team USA’s Tokyo journey.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar opened up about the dynamic he shared with Booker, looking back at their time together. His answer gave insights into the minds of competitive athletes as he delved into the details.

What did Khris Middleton say about Devin Booker?

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In a recent podcast with JJ Redick, the 3-time All-Star reflected on representing the nation in the Olympics two years back. Interestingly, Team USA for that tournament featured the Suns’ shooting guard as their talisman. Thus, Redick raised the question of possible fiction as the Bucks had defeated the Phoenix 4-2 in the finals just days prior.

“Was the plane ride awkward with Devin Booker?” the host asked. Khris replied, “Nah,” before adding, “It wasn’t awkward,” to emphasize how they put aside their NBA rivalry for their country. Middleton understood the importance of having Booker by his side for their Tokyo triumph against tough opposition.

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“We need to have D Book on our side,” he stated, highlighting the influence of Devin on that roster. To serve the aim of the nation, the duo connected for Team USA as Khris had high praise for the 26-year-old’s character. The NBA champion described Booker as “a real cool guy” and a “real good competitor”.

“Let’s go and try to win this one over here,” was what going through Middleton’s mind during that period. The winner mindset of both the superstar were fully on display for Team USA as they put forward a great example for the rest. What followed became part of history.

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Team USA showed levels in Japan

Devin became pivotal for his country in the Olympics as he averaged over 9 points per game. With 1.8 assists per game and 3.2 rebounds per game, his all-around show impressed the fans. Middleton’s contribution was no less.

Playing 93 minutes, he scored 35 points in the competition to help his country win the gold. It was Team USA’s seventh gold medal since 1992 in eight participations, showcasing their dominance in the game.

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Watch This Story: Spoilt for Choice Between LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, WNBA Legend Sue Bird Might Have a Solution for Shaquille O’Neal

This moment gave a glimpse into the mindset of champions. The finalists understood the importance of their role and prioritized the bigger assignment at hand. Everyone on your side of the court is your ally; that’s how it goes at the highest level.

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Written by:

Sourav Bose

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Sourav is a detail-oriented NBA content writer at EssentiallySports. His passion for the game of basketball was ignited by none other than the captivating duo of Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr. As he delved into the illustrious history of the NBA, his fascination grew exponentially.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe