“Some people deal with knee or ankle issues, but for me, it’s always been my back,” Diana Taurasi reflected during an interview, giving a nod to the chronic back pain she’s struggled with since her college days. But the fact is Taurasi didn’t let that affect her longevity as she currently battles for her sixth Olympic medal with Team USA in Paris. And that’s why her former rival, Sue Bird, couldn’t help but admire Taurasi’s dedication to the sport.

Former Seattle Storm player Sue Bird recently appeared on a podcast, where she discussed the mystery behind Diana Taurasi’s longevity and consistency. “And I think for her, the last couple years, she’s really gone all in on like her body and taking care of it and being on point,” Bird said, via the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.

She also said that it takes very high spirit for what Taurasi does, “The amount of time it takes to get ready starts to be longer than the actual time you’re working out or practicing or a game. And that right there, like you got, I mean, that’s tough mentally. That’s a different kind of grind because the payoff’s not the same.”  Well, Bird’s appreciation for Taurasi is justified, actually.

Everything was fine until early March 2018 when her back issues flared up once again and Taurasi found herself becoming what she described as a ‘miserable human being.’ Despite throwing everything at the problem from physical therapy to acupuncture, she eventually had a tough pill to swallow, and go for a back surgery.

In 2019, she underwent the procedure to address a disc protrusion after all other options had failed. The surgery was a last resort to relieve the nerve pain that had drastically affected her quality of life. Before the operation, her right leg had atrophied so much that it was only 30-35% of its normal size. The recovery wasn’t easy, and she averaged just 4.3 points per game featuring in 6 games. But, Taurasi did return with all her might.

Talk about a redemption arc that WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi has truly crafted. The very next season, Taurasi bagged 18.7 points per game as the Phoenix Mercury guard. She was also performing on playmaking fronts as she had averaged 4.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. And who would have thought that, after that major surgery, Taurasi would go on to win the fifth gold medal with Team USA in the Olympics? But, she did that too in Tokyo. All of this gives weight to her ex-rival’s words of admiration. Well, Bird has been with Taurasi for a considerable while, both as a teammate and as a rival. Let’s talk about that.

The enduring bond of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi

The duo’s story of success is truly golden as together, they’ve earned four Olympic and three World Cup gold medals playing on the USA National Team. Their incredible journey began at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where they first climbed to the top of the medal stand. Since then, they’ve continued their winning streak, standing tall as champions at every Olympic tournament they’ve competed in.

Well, that was something on the court they have played together for, but their rivalry runs even deeper in the WNBA. It all began in 2002 when Bird was chosen as the No. 1 pick by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Draft. Two years later, Taurasi joined the league as the top pick for the Phoenix Mercury. Their rivalry ignited from the start and has remained a thrilling subplot in their careers ever since.

Their friendship spans over two decades, rooted in a shared passion for basketball. In the podcast, Bird also mentioned that her friend is a “basketball junkie” and that she loves putting in all of her efforts, no matter how hard it turns out to be for her. It reflects that what counts eventually is the zeal that you possess to achieve something and that’s what might be the driving factor in Taurasi’s overcoming journey.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.