1
1
I don’t know much about you, Diana Taurasi, other than you’re a great basketball player. I haven’t watched you play more than a few minutes at most in my entire life, and one big reason for that is you didn’t grab my attention.
I care about you now because you are one of the 12 women selected to be on the U.S. Women’s Olympics Team, and I am sure I will not be watching any of those games to watch you, as great as you may be, because you don’t interest me.
I also didn’t like what you said a few months ago when asked how Caitlin Clark would do in the WNBA.
“Reality is coming,” you said, predicting it would be difficult for Clark to make the transition from college star to pro star. You were right in your prediction. It has been hard for Caitlin. But I didn’t like you playing head games with a woman 20 years younger than you throwing shade on her college accomplishments against “18-year-olds.”
It was mean and a turn-off. You could have emphasized how happy you were for Clark to be having a great college career and wished her well as a pro and grateful she was going to bring more fans to watch the league. But you played a different card that, to me, tasted sour. You went all “tough” on Clark.
I don’t know why you chose this approach but I can only tell you I didn’t like it and didn’t think it was classy. My sense is you wanted to flaunt your toughness and greatness and play a psychological game with an incoming star as if to say “Hey, kid, I’m a superstar and you’re never going to be as great as me.”
But I think something else was going on. You didn’t think Clark deserved all the accolades because she didn’t play for UConn, where you did and won national titles. I believe you didn’t think Clark deserved all the endorsements and media attention she was getting and wished you had gotten more yourself.
Great, Diana, you played on great teams and you’re great.
But honestly, I don’t care because you’re not appealing at least not when I’ve heard you talk or watched you play. You come across as gruff and cocky and that doesn’t appeal to me. Here’s a harsh opinion: I believe many other people feel the same way. I could be wrong, but probably not.
People like nice people, gracious people. Caitlin has shown she can be nice and gracious. You’re not great at being nice and gracious, as far as I can tell, so I am not really interested in watching you go for your sixth Olympic medal. Honestly, I don’t care how many medals or championships you possess.
Why?
Because you haven’t done anything to make me want to root for you. But there’s one way you could make me a fan. Take yourself off the Olympic team and open that slot for Caitlin Clark who will be much more entertaining to watch than you. Millions of Americans would like to see her win her first Gold Medal than you win your sixth. I don’t want to watch you play in the Olympics and won’t because you don’t do anything to make me want to cheer you on.
You’re negative. Caitlin is exciting. You’re old news. She’s new news. She’s 22; you’re 42. Face it: She’s more likable. You’re not what we want.
Caitlin isn’t perfect. Like you, she’s ultra-competitive and cocky and complains to the refs too much. But she can hit logo three-pointers with consistency and you can’t and it’s more fun to watch than you do whatever you do.
You would do America a favor by stepping down from the team and giving this country what it wants more than it wants you: Caitlin Clark on the Olympic team. We would all see you differently. You would be remembered for doing something classy instead of being a rough and tough woman who plays mind games with younger women to keep your psychological edge.
It’s a turn-off being that way, Diana. Why do you think fans don’t go to your WNBA games in nearly the numbers they have with Caitlin?
Because you’re not as compelling.
Do America a favor. Withdraw from the team. And let Caitlin be on it.
You’re better than her. We get it. But we don’t care. We prefer Caitlin.
It would be your most memorable achievement and a lot of people would like and respect you more than they do now.
Author Profile
-
Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
Sammy Sportface Has a Vision -- Check It Out
Sammy Sportface -- The Baby Boomer Brotherhood Blog -- Facebook Page
Latest entries
BonusJune 20, 2024Diving Is The Best Olympic Sport – Not Swimming
BonusJune 20, 2024Toughest American Anywhere: Long Distance Swimmer Bobby Finke
BonusJune 19, 2024What If Summer McIntosh Beats Summer Ledecky This Summer At Olympics?
BonusJune 18, 2024Beyond “Call Me Maybe”: Music Video Proposals for U.S. Olympic Swim Team