Phoenix Mercury @ Seattle Storm - 8/28/18

[MilfordHusky]

Shea Serrano article on the GOAT.

Even in Defeat, Diana Taurasi Is Magic

Nobody covering the WNBA (or any other league for that matter) writes like this.

DeWanna Bonner, inbounding the ball from the right sideline on the Mercury’s side of the court, lobbed it up to Brittney Griner, who had floated over toward the opposite corner. Griner plucked it out of the air, and before her feet even touched the ground she was already looking for Taurasi. Because she knew what everyone else on the court knew. And what everyone in the stands knew. And what everyone watching the game on TV knew. And what all of the birds and the bugs and the animals and the slugs and the plants and the dirt and the sun and the universe and the amoebas knew: that Taurasi was taking that shot.

The ball didn’t make a big noise or any sound at all, but watching the replays, if you open your heart enough, it sounded a lot in the air like how a jet sounds during a flyby. (My very favorite thing about watching the replay is Seattle’s Sue Bird. As soon as Griner gets the ball, Sue not only knows that it’s going to Taurasi, but also knows exactly where Taurasi wants to go to shoot it, which you can tell because Bird runs to meet Taurasi there before Taurasi even arrives, which is incredible.)

This reminds me of Geno's discussion with Diana when she first came to UConn. It went something like this. I'm too lazy tonight to look up the actual quote:

G: What number do you want?

D: 0

G: That's stupid. Pick a real number.

D: Ok, then. I'll wear #1.

G: That's stupid too. It's a team game; you don't want to wear that.

D: (Exasperated) Ok, what number do you think I should wear?

G: 3

D: (Confounded) 3? Why 3?

G: Babe Ruth wore #3. If you do what I say, you can be the Babe Ruth of Basketball.

I am not old enough to have seen Babe Ruth, but last night I thought I was watching Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, and Ted Williams (whom I did see as a youth). That was definitely a Babe Ruth game from the GOAT.

I was fortunate to see the 2014 World Cup. Our team was loaded. I had tickets but couldn't get to Rio to see the 2016 Olympic team, but it was possibly the best team ever assembled. I'm going to Tenerife. I hope that Elena is healthy and able to play. This year's team could rival the 2016 team. Diana and Sue are every bit as good, and Stewie is a lot better. Throw in Maya, Tina, Brit, Sylvia, and a few others, and I really, really, really like our chances.

 

[jaundicedeye]

He seems like a really classy guy.

Apparently very articulate, as well.

 

[eebmg]

Good for him. A little passion from a Women's basketball sports fan. Not like the WNBA does not need it.