“One more year.” The chants resounded with desperation at the Footprint Center even before Diana Taurasi uttered about retirement. Greatness was reminded of. But 25th February 2025, was the day those words faded away and memories came out afresh. After 20 years in the league, the Phoenix Mercury legend was to say goodbye to the hardwood she had called home for all those years. It was the end of an era, emergence of another, and unfortunately on the significant day, not everyone was willing to hand over the torch gracefully.

Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest to ever lace ‘em up, is calling it a career. WNBA, NCAA, and Olympics, every title in the bag, the Mercury icon has decided to walk away from the rim. But what’s the tea behind her sudden move?

As she put it plainly, saying, “Mentally and physically, I’m just full… and I’m happy.” With 10,646 points, 14 All-WNBA nods, an MVP, and three championship rings, it’s evident that Diana Taurasi has nothing left to prove. And unlike a typical retirement tour showered with accolades, Taurasi’s farewell has become a battleground for WNBA fans. But why? The answer is pretty clear; it’s because of her “generational opponent,” Caitlin Clark’s fans.

We all know that this whole thing kicked off when DT warned Clark that “reality is coming” in the WNBA. But she wasn’t wrong—rookie life isn’t easy. And let’s not forget Clark took that as a challenge and answered it the best way possible by winning. Last season, the Fever dominated the Phoenix Mercury, winning 3-0, with Clark’s 29-point performance being a highlight.

Plus, if you don’t remember, even Diana Taurasi had to tip her cap, saying, “It’s amazing what Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career… She keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game.” So, you can understand that if there’s any rivalry left, it’s just in people’s minds.

Moreover, Caitlin Clark isn’t sweating the so-called “rivalry” with Diana Taurasi either. In a Nike interview, the WNBA Rookie of the Year denied any conflict, even naming Diana Taurasi as her preferred player to compete against, saying, “You’re going to get me in trouble,” she joked before showing her respect towards Diana. “Honestly, I’ll just say DT, because she’s such an icon in our sport… Getting to share the court with her was pretty fun, and you just see her competitive spirit.” That’s not exactly the beef fans expected. But despite their constant respect towards each other, the only thing fans can do is fuss about the statement Dee made!

Catlin Clark fans show get harsh with criticisms after Diana Taurasi’s retirement

When Diana Taurasi gave the welcome she did for Caitlin Clark, it wasn’t a new sight for the league veterans. Any rookie that has passed by DT knows they are in for some trash talking and toughness. Chiney Ogwumike, for now, learnt that early. In her very first game against Mercury, the LA Sparks star had gotten in a scuffle with Taurasi. She remembers going to the free throw line later, nervous and sweating as the former champion came to stand beside her.

“She turns, and she passes me, and [says] like ‘Welcome to the league. I see you’re not backing down,’” Ogwumike had recalled. So the DT screen was nothing specific to Clark but the fans aren’t focusing on that.

“Goodbye Clark hater, nobody will miss you, and Clark is already better than you,” one wrote.

Dee had also found herself on the receiving end of CC faithful’s wrath when there was a little trash talking durig a game against Indiana Fever. But again, the Mercury legend is known for that. She isn’t afraid of intimidating her opponents. And in reality Clark wasn’t fazed, ignoring her outright. But leave it for her fans to meddle.

“Catlin put her old a– out of the league,” another brutally commented.

In all honesty, it was the DT set records that players are vying to reach and break. For CC, it started with the draft night. two decades ago, the 6-time Olympic gold medalist had drew in a crowd of 1.43 million viewers. She’d further go on to win an MVP award, two Finals MVP awards, and five scoring titles. In 2017, she became the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. So, when users say “She isn’t the GOAT though,” it doesn’t seem to hold much weight.

Clark herself honored her with the words, “Legend,” following the announcement. But a few are stuck in the past.“Great! Now she can continue hating Caitlin Clark in her retirement.”

Diana Taurasi has always held respect for the sport and the players. Even her records, she isn’t afarid of anyone surpassing. If anything, she’d rather wait for another superstar to elevate women’s sports. “Someone’s going to come around that has the same hunger, the same addiction to basketball, and put those records in a different way, a different name,”  she told TIME. ““That’s what sports is all about.”  But the greatness seems to have been lost on a few.

“Always been a hater,’ wrote another. But there stay the trolls as Taurasi moves toward another chapter. Let’s just hope the legend shine bright as a clutch three-pointer where ever she ventures.