Diana Taurasi reveals 1 thing Paige Bueckers won’t be used to in WNBA

WNBA icon Diana Taurasi never let much stop her from dominating on the court, even on days when she physically struggled to be at the top of her game.

Taurasi’s résumé is littered with accolodades. The California native is a three-time WNBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, an 11-time WNBA All-Star, and the last guard to win WNBA MVP. When considering the former guard’s overseas and college accomplishments, they read much like a grocery store receipt: seven Russian National League titles, six EuroLeague championships, one Turkish National League title and three NCAA championships with the UConn Huskies.

While she was creating an unmistakable impact on the basketball world, Taurasi says that many people probably assumed she was only worried about winning games. However, that was seemingly far from the truth, and there was actually more on her mind, something she’s been honest about since she stepped away from basketball.

“For the most part, just enjoying daily life ― all the little things that I missed for the last 20 years, [and not] necessarily physically, but I think mentally,” Taurasi told For The Win while promoting her partnership with Dupixent. “I didn’t understand the strain I was under because I was so obsessed with everything from the nutrition part to the regimented pre-workout, post-workout, offseason ― all the things that towards the end of my career got pretty heavy.”

While enjoying her retirement, For The Win sat down with Taurasi to talk about how she deals with stepping away from basketball, one unexpected thing Paige Bueckers will deal with during her rookie season and a technical foul that was totally worth it.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

How do you feed your competitive spirit in retirement without stepping onto a basketball court?

I still work out every single morning at 9:30. So, I think I’m still in somewhat of a routine, but, I’ve found some other things that I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve played a lot more golf in the last year than I have in the last five years, which is something that I’ve always loved to do ― just kept it a little in the back. I’ve been trying other things.

Are there any parts of being on a WNBA court that you didn’t realize you missed once you retired?

To be honest, I don’t miss one thing. I really don’t. Penny [Taylor, Taurasi’s wife] asks me all the time, “Are you missing it?”, and I’m like, “No.” My friends will hit me up, “It was opening week. Do you miss it?” And I’m like, “Actually, no, I don’t. I’m really good.” I squeezed every last little bit of juice out of the orange. Now, I’m enjoying it.

What do you think about the continued conversations around the WNBA’s physicality?

The minute there’s more eyes on the games, there’s more opinions on the game. There are more angles of every single little action in the game, and as far as the physical part, it’s something that’s always been there. If anything, the game is less physical than it’s ever been, which is pretty funny.

If you talk to people who have been in the league for the last 10 years … [Breanna Stewart] … Nneka [Ogwumike], the physicality of the game every year goes down a little bit. I think that’s a good thing. People want to see skilled, amazing athletes be able to do great things on the court. When the game gets too physical, that’s not something that’s available. I think there is a balance to how physical the game should be, but think it’s in a good place.

What’s something unexpected that Paige Bueckers might encounter in her first year in the WNBA?

Paige is such a great kid. Being around her for the last couple of years at Connecticut, she just has this great way about her. She knows how to put everything in perspective, which is something she’s really going to have to really hone in on in the next two, three months. When you go to a school like Connecticut, you don’t lose a lot. I don’t know. Think maybe she’s lost six games her whole career. … These are all the things she’s going to have to get used to in a way of being able to play a game, it not go your way and be able to bounce back the next night.

I think my rookie year, we started 0-4. I’m like, “Are we ever gonna win a game?” At that time, there were a lot of eyes on how far can we go in the playoffs, and it’s like we’re just trying to win a game. So, I just think you have to be patient, which Paige is. She takes everything in stride. She prepares so well for games and for the season. All these are going to be learning experiences for her, and you know, frankly, for all the rookies, second and third-year players. Everything is a progression once you get to the WNBA.

Regarding the WNBA CBA, what’s one thing that players deserve that not enough people are talking about?

Retirement and healthcare. [Heartily laughs.] There’s a lot of things. When we talk about the CBA and the negotiations, look, there’s always two sides. There’s things that the players are gonna want that they think are musts, and they’re are going to be talking points from the owners and the league that are a must. And you always try to meet in the middle to make it better for both sides. Like anything, you need both sides to be on the same page for this league to keep going and keep using this momentum and this moment to really take it to the next place and the next 20, 30 years.

To me, it’s always been player salary. I think that’s, for me, always been at the top. We can talk about charters. We can talk about daily life and practice facilities and all these things, but at the end of the day, we need to be paid like we’re the best players in the world, and I think that only comes through with salary.

If you could have one moment back from your career, which would you take?

You know what, there was a Game 4, Finals 2021.

I missed a layup, and I think we were up like four with two minutes to go. That layup, if I would have made it, it would have put us in a really good position. So, I would have took the layup back and made it, I guess.

What technical foul from your career was totally worth it?

There was a lot that were really worth it. That’s one thing. When I got a technical, I deserved it for sure.

But there was one [tech] where I was talking to a ref very cordially. We were laughing it up, chopping it up. I walked away, and he saw my bun move, and he gave me a technical. And I was like, “You gotta be kidding me.” I got that one rescinded, though.

Who would you compare yourself to as a broadcaster?

I would say Jeff Van Gundy. I think I would just be very honest. I would cut through the politically correct lingo and just tell you what’s really going on.

Have you thought about being a full-time broadcaster?

No, I have not. It might be in the cards in the future, but for now, I’d rather just watch the game and keep my thoughts to myself.