“I’m Not Envious of (Diana) Taurasi”: Retired WNBA Legend Makes Blunt Admission on Team USA Star Ahead of Olympic Opener

The 5x gold winner is going to be one of the oldest players to take the stage for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. This fact already brought her a lot of disparaging eyes from corners as some WNBA enthusiasts wanted Caitlin Clark to be on the stage instead of the 42-year-old. Diana Taurasi’s admirers also speculate that even retired WNBA stars might be jealous of her for having a career spanning two decades and also for remaining one of the most popular stars despite her age. However, ex-WNBA stalwart Nancy Lieberman clarified that she is not “envious of Taurasi.”

Lieberman was present during a chat with Mark Jackson on Come and Talk 2 Me when she revealed her side of the story. Instead of being jealous, Lieberman opined that stars like Taurasi and Sue Bird bring generational wealth.

“I’m going to get to Angel and I’m gonna get to Caitlin because we, we have to thank them for what they’re doing. For Rickea, and for you know, Cameron and for Kamilla. We, we have to thank these young players. They have brought their audience to us. We can’t be jealous of them or envious. I’m not envious of Taurasi. I’m not envious of Bird. We can’t be envious of them. They are going to give you generational wealth,” Lieberman said, via Come and Talk 2 Me.

The only other women’s basketball athlete playing in the Paris Olympics other than Taurasi is Australia’s Lauren Jackson. Additionally, Taurasi has gained a lot of acclaim and fame for her playmaking skills and hence, was selected for this year’s Olympics too.

As for Lieberman, she was the second-round pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the first season of the WNBA in 1997. The 66-year-old is therefore much senior to Taurasi but unfortunately, couldn’t play in the WNBA for much time due to her age. For the unversed, at 39, she was the oldest player in the WNBA during her maiden season. But as many fans would speculate, Lieberman has no regrets and does not spend her time in what-ifs. Therefore, she is not jealous of Taurasi or the stars who brought the WNBA a lot of viewers though they were younger than her. As for Taurasi, she will most probably take the stage tonight against Japan.

Diana Taurasi to play against Japan

Team USA will be playing against Japan in their opening game of the Paris Olympics. The Team USA chosen this year includes veterans like Taurasi, Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, etc. This sparked a lot of controversy as fans wanted to see the WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the big stage.

The two rookies were selected for the All-Star team that upset Team USA by a 117-109 margin. This only amplified the fans’ voices about having Clark and Reese. Nonetheless, Team USA is positive of clinching its eighth consecutive Olympic gold this year. And they will commence their campaign tonight with Taurasi most probably in the starting five.

Now that Lieberman has shared her views on Taurasi, hopefully, the jealousy narrative will die down. And more stars will come forward to appreciate Team USA as they battle out tonight against Japan.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.