Cameron Brink shared a nice moment with Diana Taurasi during Sunday’s WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury. The 20-year veteran has been at the center of an ongoing, negative conversation about this year’s rookie class but she is not as cold in reality as she might come across in selectively-edited videos and headlines!
In reality, the 41-year-old legend is actually making a point to share her wisdom to the younger generation.
Taurasi first went viral during the NCAA Tournament when she said that Clark was in for a reality check upon arrival to the professional level of women’s basketball. Her old comments about wanting to “kill rookies” proved that she was dead serious with her stern warning to the newbies. It certainly didn’t help that the three-time WNBA champion and 10-time All-Star insulted all of the league’s new fans while trying to clarify what she meant.
Once the new league year got underway, Taurasi went out of her way to bully Nika Mühl and baptized Julie VanLoo into the league with a ruthless shove. The two early-season incidents further added fuel to the fire. All of these different comments and incidents created an image that there was a split between she and the rookies.
That, to some extent, just like in any pro sports league, is absolutely true!
However, Taurasi also shares compassion and knows what this class is doing for the league. They will be the ones to carry the torch. They will continue to grow the WNBA.
With that, Taurasi recently offered Cameron Brink some advice. The vet told the rook, essentially, to stay patient and trust the process.
Los Angeles’ No. 2 overall pick is averaging 8.8 points, 2.1 assists, 5.4 boards, 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks with 2.8 turnovers in 24.6 minutes. There have also been issues with fouls. It has been frustrating!
Everyone wants to paint Diana Taurasi as an ice cold bully who shows no mercy and is out for blood. Her dry personality often leads to that image. A lot of her actions and words over the last few months haven’t helped to dispel that narrative.
At the same time, though, she cares. There is room for more than one truth!