Diana Taurasi is a professional female basketball player in Women's National Basketball Association. She plays with the Phoenix Mercury. The team selected her in the 2004 WNBA drafting. She has accumulated seven thousand points in her career and six seasons of 600 or higher points. Continue reading to find out more about Taurasi's remarkable career and similarities to Michael Jordan.
7,000 career point
Diana Taurasi is the fastest player to reach the 7,000 point milestone in the WNBA. Taurasi has averaged 19.3 points per game over her career, more than any other player in the league. She is currently 482 short of Tina Thompson's WNBA record score. Thompson could be surpassed by her as soon as this year.
This achievement comes after a tough season. Taurasi missed eight games in the 2012-2013 season due to a strained hip flexor. Taurasi was able to play in the WNBA Finals, helping the Mercury win their first title since 1997. She is also the only WNBA player to have won the NCAA title.
Six consecutive seasons with 600+ points or more
Diana Taurasi is an exceptional shooter who can hit a variety of shots. She can hit fadeaway jumpers from any part of the court. She is quick to find a wide area for the ball and then she moves the ball over her body to the basket side. She then bends down to create more space and hits the fadeaway jumping shot. Diana will usually shoot the fadeaway jumper in the low-post or to the side of the foul line if she doesn't have enough space.
Diana Taurasi is also known for her great passing skills. She is also the Phoenix Mercury's leading scorer. She also leads in 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 earn both titles in a single season.
Similarity to Michael Jordan
It is essential to note the similarities and distinctions between Michael Jordan and Diana Taurasi when comparing them. Both are considered the greatest basketball players, but what is it that made their careers so similar? The most striking thing about the two is their competitive spirit. Both players are driven to succeed, and their desire to win and succeed drives them to achieve greatness.
Diana Taurasi has a competitive streak that stretches back 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. She exhibited the same competitive mindset as Jordan did not take handouts.
Diana Taurasi suffers from injuries
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 revealed that they had signed Yvonne Turner, a hardship contract, to fill Taurasi’s position on the roster.
Taurasi was unable to play in six regular season games. She missed nine of the first nine games after a hamstring injury. Taurasi returned to three games but was then injured again. She was unable to score again, which resulted in a single digit scoring total.
She has had an impact on Phoenix Mercury
It is remarkable to see the impact Diana Taurasi's influence on the Phoenix Mercury. She turned 40 this Saturday, but she still led the Mercury in a victory over the Atlanta Dream by leading them to a win of 90-88. On her birthday, she tied a season record with 32 points and six 3-pointers. She is currently second on team scoring with 16.1 point per game.
Walker and Peddy have roles, but Taurasi has taken over the offense. Only six points are needed to reach the 9,000-point plateau for the All-Star. In her four first-round games, she had a team-best 26% usage rate. That is impressive for a player with her skill set. Walker and Peddy will be granted the extra minutes.