Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi recently voiced her opinions on the shifting dynamics of WNBA fandom, particularly highlighting the sensitivity of newer fans in response to her comments about incoming rookies, including Caitlin Clark. The seasoned player, known for her directness and often provocative commentary, expressed annoyance over the changing landscape of fan reactions within the league.
“Yeah, you know, the new fans are really sensitive these days,” Taurasi told a group of reporters Sunday in Phoenix before the Mercury left for training camp at San Diego State, via Cassandra Negley of Yahoo Sports. “You can’t say anything.”
Taurasi's comments came after a period of heightened attention on the WNBA, fueled by high-profile rookie debuts such as Caitlin Clark's. The statement quickly gained traction on social media, sparking debate about the nature of fan engagement and the expectations placed on players to temper their words.
A 20-year veteran of the league, Taurasi has built a reputation not just for her basketball prowess but also for her unapologetic, often sharp-tongued approach to communication.
The controversy traces back to Taurasi’s earlier comments on ESPN’s “The Bird and Taurasi Show,” where she did not specifically name Clark but made pointed remarks about the realities awaiting new players in the WNBA. This led to a misunderstanding among some fans, particularly those new to the league, who interpreted her comments as direct criticism of Clark.
Diana Taurasi speaks from a lot of experience
Clark, who is 22 years old, wasn't even born when Taurasi first became a national sensation as a standout player at UConn, where she secured three consecutive national championships and was twice named national player of the year.
Taurasi's accomplishments with the Mercury, who picked her first overall in 2004, are even more impressive. She is a three-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, has been selected for the All-WNBA team 14 times and won Rookie of the Year in 2004. She appeared on the MVP ballot in 14 of her 19 seasons, finishing in the top three five times and winning once. She remains the last guard to win MVP, a title she claimed in 2009.
In August, Taurasi became the first WNBA player to score over 10,000 regular-season points, achieving this milestone during a 42-point game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. She set the league's scoring record in 2017, overtaking Tina Thompson's previous record of 7,488 points. On the WNBA's 15th, 20th, and 25th anniversaries, Taurasi was celebrated as one of the most influential and greatest players in the history of the league.
The four-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year has competed on the last six Team USA squads that captured Olympic gold. She's a contender for the 2024 Paris Olympic team, which aims for a seventh straight gold. Taurasi has the opportunity to surpass Bird by becoming the first player to earn six Olympic gold medals.
In response to the backlash, Taurasi defended her position, clarifying that her previous comments were general and aimed at setting realistic expectations for rookies transitioning from college to the professional level. Her frankness has often been a catalyst for discussion within the league, reflecting her belief in open and sometimes blunt dialogue.
Clark, for her part, has not publicly taken issue with Taurasi's comments.
“People are just competitive, like I don’t think it’s anything that’s out of the ordinary,” Clark has said previously. “I feel like it’s things rookies have faced their entire careers, the entire existence of the WNBA.”
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