“You can’t tell the story of the WNBA without Diana,” says NBA commissioner Adam Silver. And honestly, can we even argue with that? Love her, fear her, or both, Diana Taurasi has been the backbone of women’s basketball for two decades. Now at 42, she hangs her jersey, leaving behind a storied career and 20 years of commitment to the same franchise. The tributes are pouring in, and among them, is a fellow legend who went toe-to-toe with Taurasi over the years: Candace Parker.

Parker and Taurasi have lived the same yet completely different lives. But you know what remained the same? The absolute madness they brought to the court every single time. Whether as opponents or teammates, their passion for the game was undeniable. 

And Parker, reflecting on her battles with Taurasi, had nothing but respect. “I think what she did most was bring out the best in you,” Parker said. “Because whenever you competed against Diana Taurasi, you knew you were going to have to bring your A-game. We’ve had some amazing battles, especially early in my WNBA career. Like, Phoenix was the team to beat, and Diana set the tone.” 

And, if you’ve been following the sport for a long time, remember the Sparks vs. Mercury showdowns? Straight-up classics.

But here’s the best part, they didn’t fake it. “We didn’t pretend. We didn’t like each other,” the 38-year-old admitted. “And we went at it on the court, but we respected the game and brought out the best in one another.” That’s the kind of rivalry that makes sports great.

And while they had their fair share of battles, they also joined forces on the international stage. As teammates on Team USA, they secured Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012. And not to forget their time in Russia, where they ran the show for UMMC Ekaterinburg from 2012 to 2015 (3 years), winning multiple Russian Championships together. 

All this has led to the never-ending comparison between them. Both were No. 1 overall picks. Both dominated in their own ways. And then there is this UConn-Tennessee rivalry factor. From 2000 to 2004, UConn owned Tennessee. But after DT left for the W, the tables turned, and Parker-led Tennessee started racking up wins.

Their WNBA careers are legendary. Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, pulled off the impossible, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP — the first and only to do it. Meanwhile, Dee is the league’s all-time leading scorer. Both excelled in their roles to perfection.

But if you ask Sue Bird, there’s something about Taurasi that just hits differently.

The Diana Taurasi effect

Sue Bird, another WNBA icon, has often spoken about what sets Taurasi apart from other legends. While there have been plenty of all-time greats with full games—from Maya Moore to Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie—what makes Taurasi unique is the way she elevates her teammates. 

“The difference is the way she makes her teammates feel. The way she raises the level of her teams. That, to me, is the separator,” Bird told TIME. Beyond her play, Dee had an undeniable presence that gave her an edge. 

The former Storm star pointed out how Taurasi carried a certain “street cred,” a kind of recognition that made her one of the most notable faces of the league. She wasn’t just a dominant player, she had a charisma that made people take notice, from airports to arenas.

That cool factor, as TIME put it, helped shape the WNBA’s identity in its early years. And that’s why, as she steps away from the game, the love is pouring in from all directions. From rookies she mentored to former teammates, flowers are pouring in from the basketball world. 

Because the WNBA wouldn’t be the same without her. Taurasi leaves the league on stronger ground than when she entered. She helped build the league into what it is today and inspired countless fans and players alike. And while we won’t see her on the court anymore, her influence is never fading.