Diana Taurasi is a professional player in the Women’s National Basketball Association. She is a member of the Phoenix Mercury. She was the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft. She has seven thousand career points, six consecutive seasons with 600+ points. Keep reading for more details about Taurasi's career and comparisons to Michael Jordan.
7,000 career point
Diana Taurasi reached the 7,000-point milestone quicker than any other player in WNBA. Taurasi averaged 19.3 point per game throughout her career, more than any other league player. She is 482 point shy of Tina Thompson’s all-time WNBA scoring mark. But she could surpass Thompson as early as this year.
After a difficult season, Taurasi's latest achievement comes after a long and painful recovery. Taurasi missed eight games of the 2012-2013 season because she injured her hip flexor. She was able to return to action in the WNBA Finals and help the Mercury to their first title since 1997. She was also the seventh player in WNBA lore to win NCAA.
Six consecutive years with 600 points or more
Diana Taurasi is a skilled shooter and can take a variety shot. She is able to hit fadeaway jumpers all over the court. She will look for a large area to get the ball and move it towards the basket side of the body. She bends forward to make more space and then hits her fadeaway jumper. Diana will shoot the jumper if there isn’t enough space.
Diana Taurasi's great passing abilities are also something that is well-known. She is the Phoenix Mercury's all-time top scorer. She is also the league's leader in assists. She became the first player to earn the double-double in scoring and assists in 2015. She is the only player in WNBA History to win both titles in a single year.
Similarity with 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. They are both considered to be the best basketball players ever, but what makes them so similar? One of the most striking similarities is the competitive spirit. Both players have a competitive spirit that drives them to succeed.
Diana Taurasi is a competitor with a history that spans two decades. She missed a throw in a HORSE tournament with Michael Jordan in early '90s. To win a pair Jordan sneakers, she had make that free throw. She displayed the same competitive attitude as Jordan, who did not accept handouts.
Injury-riddled season for Diana Taurasi
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 alltime leading scorer was still one game away from her WNBA championship title. But her absence could be disastrous for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA announced that they have signed Yvonne Turner on a hardship agreement to fill Taurasi’s spot on their roster.
Taurasi only participated in six regular-season games this season. She missed the first nine due to a back injury and hamstring strain. After returning to play in three more games, she sustained another injury. She was unable to score again, which resulted in a single digit scoring total.
Phoenix Mercury has seen the positive impact she had
The Phoenix Mercury's impact of Diana Taurasi on it has been amazing. 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. With 16.1 points per match, she is currently the second highest scorer on the team.
Walker and Peddy play important roles on the team. However, Taurasi has emerged as a crucial part of their offense. Six points shy of the 9,000-point plateau, the All-Star is only six short. She averaged a team-high 26% usage rate through her first four games, which is impressive for a player of her caliber. Walker and Peddy will likely get the extra time.