“Observe, SVP. “Reality is on the way,” stated Taurasi. “It happened to all of us. You will witness that on this side, as well as on the NBA side. You appear superhuman when you play against eighteen-year-olds, but you’ll face some mature ladies who have extensive careers in professional basketball.”
That was typical Taurasi. Brazen. rivalry. unrepentant. And it seemed to light up the conversation among WNBA stars—both current and former—who had traveled to Cleveland to see the women’s Final Four. It also caused text chains with current players who were playing overseas to pick up speed.
How will veterans react to a player who has been earning seven figures in NIL money as a college student for the past two years? Which veteran will put the first shoulder into her chest to see how she reacts? How good will Clark be as a rookie? Can she possibly live up to the hype she has generated for the women’s game as a collegiate athlete?
Taurasi was the unanimous response to the previous one.
Elena Delle Donne, a two-time WNBA MVP, told ESPN that Diana was similar to Kobe Bryant. You need to be prepared because she will put you to the test. That’s the kind of person she is. Because she was on Team USA, I adore her. It’s her, Kobe. Nobody is safe, considering that Kobe wrecked his own teammate, Paul Gasol, during the Olympics.”
Indeed, Delle Donne claimed that during her rookie year, Taurasi had done the same to her.
