Diana Taurasi, a professional basketball player with the Women's National Basketball Association, is a pro basketball player. She plays for Phoenix Mercury. The team selected her first overall in the 2004 WNBA draft. She has scored seven thousand career points and had six straight seasons of 600+ points. Read on to learn more about Taurasi's impressive career and her similarities to Michael Jordan.
7,000 career points
Diana Taurasi is faster than any other player at the WNBA to cross the 7,000 mark. Taurasi averaged 19.3 point per game throughout her career, more than any other league player. She is still 482 points away from Tina Thompson's all time WNBA scoring records. She could still surpass Thompson this year.
After an injury-plagued season, her latest achievement is a relief. Due to a strained hipflexor, Taurasi missed eight matches in the 2012-2013 campaign. Her return to action was possible in the WNBA Finals. This allowed her to help the Mercury claim their first title since 1997. She is also the only WNBA player to have won the NCAA title.
Six consecutive seasons with 600+ points
Diana Taurasi is an exceptional shooter who can hit a variety of shots. She is able to hit fadeaway jumpers all over the court. She searches for large open areas and then pushes the ball towards her basket side. She then bends down to create more space and hits the fadeaway jumping shot. Diana will often shoot the jumper at the low post or sideline if there's not enough space.
Diana Taurasi's great passing abilities are also something that is well-known. She is the Phoenix Mercury’s all-time leading scorer. She also leads the league with assists. In 2015, she was the first player ever to achieve the double-double of assists and scoring. She is the only player in WNBA History to win both titles in a single year.
Similarity to Michael Jordan
When you compare Diana Taurasi to Michael Jordan, you need to take into account the similarities as well as differences between these two outstanding players. Both are considered the greatest basketball players, but what is it that made their careers so similar? One of the most striking similarities between the two players is their competitive spirit. Both players have a competitive spirit that drives them to succeed.
Diana Taurasi's competitive streak dates back to two decades. She took part in a HORSE Competition with Michael Jordan, but missed a chance to win a pair of Jordan shoes. To win a pair Jordan sneakers, she had make that free throw. Jordan was not able to take handouts from her. She had the same competitive mentality.
Diana Taurasi: An injury-prone season
Diana Taurasi, despite her high scoring averages, will miss the remainder of the WNBA Season after she suffered an injury to her right quad. The WNBA's all-time top scorer was only one game away from winning the championship. Her absence could mean disaster for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA has signed Yvonne Turner as a hardship contract to replace Taurasi.
Taurasi has only played in six regular season games this season, missing the first nine games due to a hamstring injury and back surgery. She played in three more regular season games after sustaining another injury. This time she was unable for scoring, resulting in a single figure score.
She has had an impact on Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury's impact on Diana Taurasi is amazing. She turned 40 years on Saturday. However, she was able to lead the Mercury to a victory of 90-88 over the Atlanta Dream. She tied a season best with 32 points, six 3-pointers and tied a season low on her 40th birthday. She is currently second on the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game.
Walker and Peddy have roles, but Taurasi has taken over the offense. The All-Star is just six points shy of the 9,000-point plateau. The average team usage rate for her first four games was 26%, which is quite impressive for a player like her. Walker and Peddy will likely get the extra time.