ATLANTA – If you’ve got some free time, go ask a bunch of people to name Diana Taurasi’s most impressive attribute.
Considering that Connecticut’s junior sensation was averaging 25.8 ppg in the NCAA Tournament heading into last night’s title game against Tennessee, you might want to free up your weekend.
Maybe it’s her brilliant shot-making. How about a 60-foot heave to beat the first-half buzzer? Or a 22-foot trey to tie the game with seven seconds left in regulation? Or a 10-footer to win the game in overtime?
Each one of those came in the same outing – Jan. 4 against Tennessee.
“A lot of people make excuses for not making shots,” Lady Vols forward Gwen Jackson said. “She just makes [the shots].”
Maybe it’s the security blanket she provides. Taurasi has won 75 of her last 76 games, often in dramatic fashion. Take Sunday’s game against Texas, when she scored 11 points in the last nine minutes to overcome a nine-point deficit.
“I’ve never been more confident in anybody,” Husky center Jessica Moore said. “I could have my eyes closed and know that she’ll be there to help us out. She’s our cushion. If I fall, she’ll be there to catch me.”
Maybe it’s her clutch performances. Like the 22-ppg average and four wins she’s stacked up in her five career games against archrival Tennessee. Not to mention Taurasi’s countless buzzer-beaters and her pure willingness to take those shots in the first place. “I want the responsibility to be in control of the outcome,” Taurasi said. “When there is an open chance to take the shot, I am going to take it. I can’t be afraid.”
Maybe it’s her refreshing bravado – the way she grins on the court, always remembers the fans and never forgets that she’s playing a game.
“In comparing her to Magic, the one thing is she has fun,” ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Ann Meyers said. “There’s a childlike quality that you really enjoy because she’s having fun.”
Maybe it’s her capable leadership – an attribute she didn’t always possess.
“She’s learned,” Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said. “How do I say [things]? When do I put my arm around my teammates? When do I prod them and push them? How do I treat them off the court? And still go out against Tennessee and get 30 when we really need it.”
Maybe it’s her unparalleled all-around game. (“She brings a different dimension because she’s so skilled and can play all five positions,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.) Or her drive to deliver every time. (“She doesn’t want to let anybody down,” former AAU coach Lou Zylstra said.) Or just her ability to reduce teammates and opponents alike to head-shaking, eye-widening, lip-quivering appreciation.
“When I was recruiting her,” Auriemma said, “I thought I was recruiting the best player in the country and the best player ever to come to Connecticut and a player who has the chance to be the best ever.”
Maybe it’s all of the above – and more. After all, this newspaper has only so much space.
