The Phoenix Mercury host the Indiana Fever on Sunday, which suggests WNBA followers will lastly get to see the much-anticipated battle between veteran Diana Taurasi and rookie Caitlin Clark.
Whereas there isn’t any actual rivalry between them, some feedback from Taurasi concerning Clark’s transition from school to WNBA in April created some buzz. With a lot hype round Sunday’s sport, Taurasi stored her phrases quick and candy throughout a apply on Wednesday.
“Yeah, it’s going to be enjoyable,” she stated.
It began in April when Taurasi was requested on SportsCenter about what rookies had coming once they lastly entered the WNBA. She answered that “actuality is coming” as a result of it’s a totally different degree of competitors. Nevertheless, she additionally added that each participant has gone by it in each the WNBA and the NBA.
Taurasi was not unsuitable when declaring that the transition isn’t straightforward, as Clark herself has made feedback concerning the variations between school and the WNBA. Regardless of seeing a studying curve similar to all the different rookies, Clark has been one of many high newcomers to observe. Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese are continually battling excessive spot within the CBS Sports activities WNBA rookie rankings.
Clark is only a few months into her WNBA profession, however she is already a really well-known participant due to her spectacular achievements at Iowa. Though she didn’t win a nationwide championship in school, Clark made historical past by changing into the NCAA Division I all-time main scorer.
In the meantime, Taurasi is in the course of her twenty first season as a professional. After profitable three NCAA titles with the UConn Huskies, she was drafted No. 1 total by the Mercury in 2004. Since then, her lengthy listing of accolades consists of three WNBA championships and 5 Olympic gold medals.
Here’s a timeline that explains the hype across the upcoming Taurasi and Clark assembly:
April 6 — Taurasi says “actuality is coming” for incoming rookies
Scott Van Pelt was speaking to Diana Taurasi and Sue Hen on Sports activities Middle and, as a result of it was a well timed matter, he requested concerning the 2024 WNBA rookie class.
“Camilla [Kardoso] is coming, Caitlin is coming,” Van Pelt stated. “There may be extra than simply that which can be coming. What is going to the league have in retailer for them once they get there?”
Taurasi’s response went viral whereas followers tried to decipher her emotions towards the rookies, significantly Caitlin Clark regardless of Taurasi not naming her particularly.
“Actuality is coming. There’s ranges to this factor and that is simply life. All of us went by it,” she stated. “You see it on the NBA aspect, and you are going to see it on this aspect the place you look superhuman enjoying towards 18-year-olds, however you are going to include some grown girls who’ve been enjoying skilled basketball for a very long time. Not saying that it is not going to translate, as a result of once you’re nice at what you do, you are simply going to get higher, however there may be going to be a transition interval the place you are going to have to present your self some grace as a rookie. It’d take a bit bit longer for some individuals.”
April 8 — Mercury begins selling sport towards Fever
The schedule was out earlier than Caitlin Clark was even drafted. Figuring out Clark was doubtless ending up in Indiana, the Mercury started hyping up the sport and promoted it as a battle between “The GOAT vs. The Rook.”
April 15 — Clark turns into No. 1 total decide
Clark was drafted No. 1 total by the Indiana Fever within the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“I’ve dreamed of this second since I used to be in second grade,” Clark instructed ESPN after being drafted. “It is taken a variety of exhausting work, a variety of ups and downs. Greater than something, I am simply attempting to soak it in.”
April 28 — Clarks begins coaching camp, talks about transition to professional
Clark seen variations between school basketball and the WNBA firstly of the Fever coaching camp. Total, she stated the quickness of the sport fits her personal model as a result of that’s how she favored to play at Iowa.
“It is undoubtedly totally different, however that is what you count on once you begin a brand new chapter in your life,” she stated. “It is quick, quick shot clock, however I feel all of you already know that is how I prefer to play. So, I feel it fits my sport fairly effectively. It is a quick tempo, quite a bit quicker than school, and you’ve got to study faster as a result of you have to get your thoughts on Friday.”
Might 17 — Taurasi explains her earlier feedback
Many assumed Taurasi’s feedback on Sports activities Middle in April have been a jab at Clark, however Taurasi defined extra in an episode of Arizona Sports activities’ Bickley & Marotta.
“You understand lately, every part takes a lifetime of their very own,” she stated. “Each little snippet, each little remark, any quote taken out of context. Look, I solely stated it as a result of after I watch video games — and I am positive once you speak to any skilled athlete — you consider what they will seem like as a professional.”
Taurasi stated that similar to a university quarterback heading to the NFL, the transition is of course going to take time. She then added that regardless of being in her twenty first season within the league, even she would not really feel full comfy.
“It is an uncomfortable league. It is bodily, it is a grind. You by no means really feel comfy,” Taurasi stated. “You’re feeling used to the issues round you (as you play extra). On the similar time, she’s in an fascinating place the place she’s performed on the ball her entire profession. Typically it’s important to play off the ball, typically that is the answer.”
Might 17 — Sue Hen addresses Taurasi’s feedback and controversy
On the Wealthy Eisen Present, former WNBA star Sue Hen stated she was dissatisfied that Taurasi’s feedback sparked detrimental narratives in terms of the relationships between veteran and rookie gamers.
“To me the unhappy factor is simply the way it all performed out,” Hen stated. “Having to have WNBA gamers, myself as a former one, Diana as a present one, and a variety of others being pitted towards Caitlin. I assumed that was actually unlucky as a result of that’s not the truth. No one was questioning Caitlin’s potential… I feel on the finish of the day is simply aggressive athlete speaking about what they’ve already been by.”
Might 28 — Clark talks about physicality within the WNBA
Clark put up a 30-point efficiency within the 88-82 loss to the Sparks, with 13 of her factors coming from 15 free throw makes an attempt. After the loss, she commented on the physicality.
“I feel everyone is bodily with me, they get away with issues that most likely different individuals do not get away with,” Clark stated. “It is robust, however that is simply the actual fact of the matter. It is a very bodily sport, and you are going to get strain, that is skilled basketball. It’s what it’s, truthfully.”
The Fever picked up a 103-88 loss a number of days later, and Clark struggled offensively going 6-for-17 from the sector. Indiana head coach Christie Sides acquired a technical foul for arguing with a referee a few foul on Clark not getting known as. The rookie appreciated seeing her coach defending her.
“I really feel like I am getting hammered,” she stated. “I respect Christie getting a tech too.”
June 3 — One other rookie talks about Taurasi
Taurasi is unquestionably identified to present rookies “Welcome to the League” moments, with one in all many examples being Kelsey Plum in 2017. She is actually not the one veteran to do it, as a result of Kobe Bryant was the identical sort of participant within the NBA. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply there may be hate towards the rookies.
Clark has not commented on Taurasi but, however in an interview with CBS Sports activities, Sparks rookie Cameron Brink shared that Taurasi gave her some encouraging phrases.
June 26 — Taurasi feedback on upcoming sport
Diana Taurasi was requested concerning the upcoming sport towards Clark and the Fever throughout a Mercury apply on Wednesday.
“Yeah, it’s going to be enjoyable,” she stated.