Jamal Crawford Offers High Praise for Devin Booker’s Loyalty and Leadership
PHOENIX — As All-Star Weekend reaches its climax, former Suns guard Jamal Crawford used the spotlight to celebrate Devin Booker’s enduring commitment to the game and the franchise. Crawford’s remarks came as Booker prepared to take part in the All-Star Game on Sunday (ET) after a less-than-ideal showing in the three-point contest.
Crawford highlights loyalty and consistent passion
Speaking to reporters ahead of his role calling Sunday’s All-Star Game, Crawford emphasized what he sees as Booker’s defining traits: loyalty and an unwavering love for basketball. "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, " Crawford said. He added that Booker's leadership did not waver regardless of team performance: "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 respected veteran with a long career of his own, framed those qualities as what separate elite players from the rest. His remarks carried weight given the pair's time together in Phoenix during the 2018-19 season, where Booker had to navigate both high expectations and growing pains as a young scorer anchoring a franchise's rebuild efforts.
Coach Ott echoes the sentiment and looks ahead
Suns coach Jordan Ott reiterated the view that Booker's presence in the All-Star Game is well-earned. "He deserves to be there. He gets to take it in a little bit, " Ott said while previewing the stretch run of the season. Ott described Booker as "the straw that stirs it all, " praising his nightly impact and the example he sets for teammates.
Ott’s comments underline the broader internal recognition within the organization: Booker is not only a primary scoring option but also a leadership figure whose consistency matters as the team looks to close out the season and chase postseason positioning.
On-court performance and what it means for the Suns
This season Booker has averaged 25. 2 points on 45. 5 percent shooting, numbers that reflect his role as the offense’s central engine. While the three-point contest didn’t go his way, the All-Star nod and the support from former teammates and coaches spotlight the respect he commands across the league.
Behind those numbers sits a player increasingly viewed for more than raw scoring. The combination of durability, day-to-day professionalism and a steady leadership approach has earned Booker plaudits from veterans and staff alike. That reputation matters, especially for a Suns team trying to maintain consistency through the final stretch of the regular season.
For Booker, the All-Star stage offers a pause from the grind — a chance to be celebrated among peers — and for the Suns it’s a reminder of the player at the center of their ambitions. Whether Booker uses the break to recharge or to sharpen specific parts of his game, the chorus of support from figures like Crawford and Ott makes clear how valued he is both on and off the court.
As the All-Star festivities conclude on Sunday (ET), the attention will quickly turn back to the regular season, where the form and leadership of Booker will once again become a decisive factor in the Suns’ fortunes.
