The Hardest GOATbye: A Look at Diana Taurasi’s Legacy

Saying goodbye is never easy. The mere idea of having to let go of something, someplace, or someone creates an anxious feeling of trying to figure out what life will look like after them. Maybe you’ll try to figure out a coping mechanism that suits you best, one that makes the loss feel less painful and your life a bit easier. And while this happens every once in a while, making it seem like we might’ve gotten the hang of it by now, the impact was even worse when six-time gold medalist, WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, and overall GOAT Diana Taurasi announced she’s retiring after 20 prolific seasons.

*Diana Taurasi retires after 20 years (Fox News)*

After being drafted by Phoenix Mercury in 2004, she broke every boundary imaginable, trailblazing through it all. She now walks away from the courts holding several records, including the all-time scorer during the regular season with 10,646 points, one WNBA MVP, two WNBA Finals MVP titles, and three championships with Mercury. Through it all, what has characterized her the most (beyond the undeniable magic game she plays) has been her charismatic self, a balance between confidence with a competitive edge that makes her an unforgettable character.

To honor her incomparable career, we’ve gathered some of her best moments on and off the courts--a reminder that while the records might be broken eventually, the true legacy she leaves behind will be her unmatchable energy and innate charisma.

Whoopin’ Comeback

As a guest on “The View”, Whoopi Goldberg mistakenly introduced Diana with a mispronunciation of her last name. Taking the mistake with lighthearted humor, she swiftly responded with, “Good to see you Whippie, I mean, Whoopy.”

Olympic Heights

*Diana after winning her 6th Olympic gold medal (AP)*

During the Olympics, Diana was representing Team USA in a match against Japan when she saw the perfect opportunity to outplay her opponent: simply put the ball out of her reach. With her notable height difference against the rival, even the referee couldn’t help but giggle at the slight absurdity of it all.

Dancing Queen

Stating in an interview “I don’t dance for free” and then proceeding to break out her moves any chance she gets is peak iconic behavior.

During the COVID pandemic, the WNBA played their season with no audiences, but that didn’t stop Diana from feeling the full heat. When the referee clocked her with a personal foul, she quickly came back with a classic Diana response: “I didn’t touch her! No, I’ll see you in the lobby later and you’ll tell me.”

Kill ‘Em with Kindness

What’s the best way to deal with a mad opponent right after you do a layup to score? In Diana’s book, blowing a kiss will do, and that’s the type of pettiness we love her for.

Teasing Lover

During the 2014 playoffs, Diana was joined at the post-game press conference by Penny Taylor, her now-wife. While they were not dating back then, it’s evident from this interview moment that Diana’s humor was one of her most charming factors.

Friendly Reminder

Fast forward to 2021, one beautiful wedding, a son and a daughter on the way later. Diana was playing the defining Game 5 of the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces while Penny was heavily pregnant with their daughter Isla. Knowing she could go into labor at any moment, Diana jokingly said in her post-win interview to her wife: “Hold it in babe, I’m coming!” It wasn’t exactly a joke, as she immediately traveled to Arizona and made it just in time to be present for her daughter’s birth.

Beyond any record she has already broken, Diana’s legacy is one marked by her unwavering spirit that combines sassiness with wittiness, layered in with lighthearted humor that shines through in every interaction she has. A player, a mother, a wife, a daughter, but most of all, a one-of-a-kind generational talent that showed us how to play the game while having fun doing it. As much as the courts will miss her, we can’t wait to see where her next adventure takes her.