For the second consecutive time, Team USA will leave for their Olympic destination after a loss at the hands of Team WNBA. While it was a defeat at home, it was also a motivation for the Olympics roster to take things more seriously than ever. Even though Diana Taurasi is friendly both outside and inside the lines, she rarely sugarcoats anything. As the 42-year-old gets set to play potentially her last Olympics event, she has all the expertise to share with her team. Especially after Team WNBA got the better of Team USA. After her pep talk to the group went viral, fans are admiring their 6x Olympian for the leadership role.

Tonight, Diana Taurasi hyped Team USA up after Arike Ogunbowale launched missiles against them in the third quarter, eventually resulting in a defeat. In the viral video, she says, “This sh*t f*cking sucks. It’s a good reminder, we gotta come to play no matter who we are. We got it!” The team chanted after her call, “Team USA!” While Team USA lost 109-117 in the Footprint Arena, they could still learn from Team WNBA’s pace and relentlessness.

Certainly, this was not the outcome that Team USA was hoping for. Mainly because they are supposed to be a group of the most elite players in the world. Still, it was Diana Taurasi’s words of encouragement that melted the WNBA followers as they saw their idol in her best form.

Diana Taurasi reignites the fire in women’s basketball fans

This was the second time that Team WNBA got the better of the star-studded Team USA after Team WNBA won 93-85 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Despite losing some hope, a seasoned player like Diana Taurasi came up to boost Team USA’s confidence. One fan spoke up on just that as they said that of anyone, Diana Taurasi does not like to sugarcoat things. They also suggested that this is exactly why she is going to Paris with the Team USA.

“Diana Taurasi “This sh*t fukn sucks. It’s a good reminder, we gotta come to play no matter who we are.” DT is 42 years old, she’s not sugar coating a thing. And, yes, she has earned and deserves her spot on Team USA. #WNBALLSTAR”

In her 20-season-long professional basketball career, Diana Taurasi has shared the floor with many greats. Of course, now that she also takes her last step into the Olympic world, one thing that she can definitely do is lead the team to their eighth consecutive gold, and a sixth for herself. Fans mentioned the same as they cheer for their veteran superstar.

“That’s leadership!” “A veteran leader! That’s why she’s still on the squad“

Many new fans who have only tuned into the WNBA now are seeing some of the greats play with and against each other. One of them, of course, is the Phoenix Mercury’s GOAT. A follower who has entered the WNBA realm recently, after years of following the NBA, spelled out their wish to have seen the guard in her prime. However, they also pointed out Caitlin Clark, who they will definitely follow through and through.

“DT is so competitive. I wish I had seen her during her prime. I’ve watched the W on & off. I’m more of an NBA fan. I have NBA league pass for 20 yrs & just subscribed to W league pass this season & I don’t wanna miss CC’s prime and to see more of the great vets.”

3x National Champion, 3x World Champion, all-time leading scorer in WNBA, 2x WNBA Finals MVP, 11x All-Star, and 6 Olympic gold medals: these are just a few jewels that adorn Diana Taurasi’s long resume. Something which even made Kobe Bryant watch her and give her the tag of the White Mamba. With all these accolades in her bag, a fan simply called the Mercury star what she truly is. “True GOAT”

Diana Taurasi has certainly been all that and a little more for women’s basketball. A true leader who speaks out her heart should certainly come at the top of the list. While Team USA lost to Team WNBA, hopefully, just like last time, this loss will also give them a reason to go out and play their best in the Olympics.