There have been very rare occasions when Team USA has been tested at the Olympics in the past 30 years. But, one such occasion arrived the previous evening when the 9x Olympic champions had to toil hard for an 87-74 victory over reigning European champions Belgium. Following this, the team’s veteran figure Diana Taurasi decided to give credit where credit is due in the post-game press conference.

After a hard-fought victory, a relieved Diana Taurasi addressed some of the intriguing questions from the media. During this, she extended some sportsmanship and commended her opponent’s efforts. “They’re just a really good team,” Diana Taurasi said when asked to comment on Belgium. She further added, “A really, really good team. They probably are one of the best teams in the world”. 

And such was the case throughout the night. In the opening quarter itself, Belgium had an answer to anything Team USA had to offer. A back-and-forth 10 minutes resulted in both teams being 23 a piece by the end. Diana Taurasi and Co. then picked things up a notch and finished halftime with an 8-point cushion.

However, their opponents outscored them in the 3rd quarter, and at one period the difference between both the squads was just 4 points. But, the defending champs managed to hold on to their nerves in the penultimate quarter. As it turns out, they scored 27 points whereas Belgium could come up with 21.

Taurasi then also reflected that this victory serves as a perfect reality check for the unit. She expressed, “Every Olympics is hard. You know. I can go back to the last five, and there’s always moments that are really hard for us as a team. And, you know, tonight was a really hard moment for us. And you know, we came through”.

Meanwhile, she also opened up about how she will be approaching her final Olympics a while earlier.

What is Diana Taurasi searching for in her final dance?

Appearing in record 6th consecutive appearance at the Olympics, the 42-year-old has one target in mind. And, that is to finish at the gold podium on yet another occasion. That way she would surpass Sue Bird’s tally of 5 gold medals and be renowned as the greatest Olympian on a women’s basketball court.

Sparing a thought or two in this regard, Taurasi said, “Win a gold medal. That’s the only way I know how to handle basketball. I’m not distracted by anything. It’s the only thing I think about. It’s the only thing I prepare for, and that’s my only mindset”.

Hardly anyone would argue that it is difficult to substitute the immense experience that Diana Taurasi brings to the table. The way she had carried the national hopes and aspirations for so many years requires no further validation. Hopefully Taurasi signs off her illustrious career in style.

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