Diana Taurasi is a professional female basketball player in Women's National Basketball Association. She plays for Phoenix Mercury. The team selected her in the 2004 WNBA drafting. She has scored seven thousand career points and had six straight seasons of 600+ points. Keep reading for more details about Taurasi's career and comparisons 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 goals per game during her career, more points than any other player in WNBA. She is currently 482 short of Tina Thompson's WNBA record score. Thompson could be surpassed by her as soon as this year.
After an injury-plagued season, her latest achievement is a relief. Taurasi missed eight games of the 2012-2013 season because she injured her hip flexor. 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 or more points
Diana Taurasi is a skilled shooter and can take a variety shot. She is skilled at hitting fadeaway jumpers anywhere on the court. She searches for large open areas and then pushes the ball towards her basket side. She then bends over to make space, and hits the fadeaway jumper. Diana will often shoot the jumper at the low post or sideline if there's not enough space.
Diana Taurasi is also known for her great passing skills. She is the Phoenix Mercury’s all-time leading scorer. She also leads the league with assists. She was also the first player to be awarded the double-double for scoring and assists in 2015. She is the only player in WNBA History to win both titles in a single year.
Similarity to Michael Jordan
It is essential to note the similarities and distinctions between Michael Jordan and Diana Taurasi when comparing them. They are both considered to be the best basketball players ever, but what makes them 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 has had a competitive streak for over 20 years. In the early '90s, she participated in a HORSE competition with Michael Jordan and missed a free throw. To win a pair Jordans shoes, she had the to make that free shot. She exhibited the same competitive mindset as Jordan did not take handouts.
Diana Taurasi's injury-ridden season
Despite her high scoring average, Diana Taurasi is set to miss the remainder of the WNBA season after suffering an injury to her right quad last week. 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 announced that they had signed Yvonne Turner to a hardship contract to fill Taurasi's spot on the roster.
Taurasi has missed the first nine games of regular season due to injury to her hamstring and back. She played in three more regular season games after sustaining another injury. She was unable scoring this time, so her total score was only one-digit.
Phoenix Mercury's Impact She had
The impact Diana Taurasi has had on the Phoenix Mercury has been remarkable. 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. She tied a season best with 32 points, six 3-pointers and tied a season low on her 40th birthday. She currently scores 16.1 points per games and is second in scoring.
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. The extra minutes will most likely be given to the other two All-Stars, Walker and Peddy.