Diana Taurasi offers her version of short-lived idea with Sue Bird to join NY Liberty
Blame it on the alcohol.
The momentary idea between Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird to become WNBA teammates was strictly from Russia with love and basketball. They didn't have the heart to leave their respective teams, the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm, for the New York Liberty last decade.
During Taurasi's Phoenix Mercury retirement press conference on Thursday, the WNBA's all-time leading scorer gave her side of Sue Bird's backstory told on her "A Touch More" podcast episode last week. The story was about them briefly wanting to join forces in New York during the "2012-13 range" when they were UMMC Ekaterinburg teammates in the Russian League.
“I believe it’s called ‘pleading the fifth’ on that one,” Taurasi said while drawing laughs.
She meant the Fifth Amendment to avoid admission of guilt, not a fifth-gallon bottle of Russian vodka that might've fueled their plan.
Bird said this idea happened when they had been drinking at dinner together during the WNBA offseason.
“You got a lot of time on your hands when you’re overseas and I’m sure we had a conversation about, you know, we play overseas together, we play on the Olympic team together," Taurasi said.
Taurasi and Bird are best friends and were each other's toughest opponents during their WNBA careers, 20 years for Taurasi, 19 for Bird.
They starred as UConn's All-American backcourt from 2000-02, and led the Huskies to become college basketball's last undefeated title team in 2002. That's the same year Bird entered the WNBA as Seattle's No. 1 overall pick. Taurasi was Phoenix's top overall pick two years later.
Bird and Taurasi won three straight Russian League titles from 2012-2014. They won five Olympic medals together for Team USA from 2004-21, and Taurasi eclipsed Bird's formerly tied five-gold record with a sixth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Taurasi led the Mercury to three titles, including their final in 2014. Bird holds four total titles with the Storm before she retired in 2022. Taurasi and Bird faced each other in 46 regular-season and playoff matches. Bird finished ahead of Taurasi on a 25-20 record in the regular season, but Taurasi has an 8-6 playoff record edge over her. They never faced each other in the WNBA Finals.
Diana Taurasi told @jeffmetcalfe about possibly podcasting like her friends Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe and “drinking a lot of wine in the next 2-3 weeks” with them.
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) March 13, 2025
Taurasi also told @azcsports her side of Bird’s story on @atouchmore of their one-night plan to join NY Liberty. pic.twitter.com/aHzgPNbXdk
Taurasi went deeper about their frustrations playing for Phoenix and Seattle at that time. They won two titles each for the franchises before pondering their departures to New York.
“I think at that particular time in both of our WNBA careers, we were probably both cranky and unhappy about how things were going,” Taurasi said. “And I think that was just the competitive side of both of us always wanting to win and always thinking if it’s a move here, a chance to win here, we’d always do it.”
Taurasi doesn’t fully remember the intricacies of that “short-lived conversation” with Bird, who said the idea was quickly scrapped the next day when clearer heads prevailed.
Taurasi grinned as she vaguely recalled the idea of creating the WNBA's most iconic duo, driven to win a championship in The Big Apple.
“It would’ve been amazing to play with Sue,” Taurasi said. “Who wouldn’t want to play with the best point guard ever? I always said if there’s one player that always worried about everyone else and themselves last, it was always Sue. That’s why her teams have always been incredible.”
In addition, Taurasi praised Bird and her wife, USWNT soccer legend Megan Rapinoe, for using their platform as women's sports icons to tell stories on their podcast. Taurasi and Bird have their "Bird and Taurasi Show" on ESPN as simulcasted commentators during the women's basketball Final Four and NBA games since 2023.
As for the beverages, Taurasi also whimsically said she looks forward to “drinking a lot of wine in the next two to three weeks” in her retirement with Bird and Rapinoe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Taurasi recalls her, Bird's plan to exit Mercury, Storm for NY Liberty
-
Diana Taurasi 'sad' to walk away from basketball, Phoenix Mercury. What's next?
Diana Taurasi explained why she decided to retire after 20 years with the Phoenix Mercury.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13 -
Diana Taurasi and the challenge of saying goodbye and discovering what’s next
PHOENIX — As Diana Taurasi recently boarded a flight to New York, her 7-year-old son, Leo, had a question. “Is retirement sad?” he said. In late February, Taurasi, a 20-year veteran of the Phoenix ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Mercury to retire Taurasi's No. 3 jersey in 2026
Diana Taurasi, who will have her No. 3 jersey retired by the Mercury in 2026, admits feeling "sad" over her decision to retire after 20 seasons in the WNBA.ESPN - Mar. 13 -
Mercury to retire Diana Taurasi's No. 3 jersey, induct her into Ring of Honor during 2026 WNBA season
Taurasi, the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, announced her retirement in FebruaryCBS Sports - Mar. 13 -
Diana Taurasi says goodbye to one of the greatest careers in women's basketball history
Diana Taurasi wanted to take her time before deciding whether to retireABC News - Mar. 13 -
Natasha Cloud traded to Liberty from Mercury for WNBA Draft picks
The New York Liberty landed veteran guard Natasha Cloud in a Sunday trade with the Phoenix Mercury for two WNBA Draft picks.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Romania's far-right presidential hopeful Diana Sosoaca files new candidacy bid despite previous ban
Controversial Romanian politician Diana Sosoaca, who was barred by a top court from entering last year’s annulled presidential election, has filed her candidacy in an unlikely bid to enter in the ...ABC News - Mar. 13 -
Sources: Liberty's Stewart has minor knee scope
Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart successfully underwent a minor scope on her right meniscus Thursday, New York Liberty sources told ESPN.ESPN - Mar. 13 -
Uzo Aduba on her new role, parenthood and working with Shonda Rhimes
Uzo Aduba stars in the new Netflix murder-mystery series, "The Residence." The Emmy winner spoke with "CBS Mornings" about her love for her character and the impact her daughter has had on her life.CBS News - Mar. 12
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Harry Kane on England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel and reaching 70 international goals
Harry Kane says there was enough in England’s win over Albania to feel excited about what is to come under new boss Thomas Tuchel.Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 win in his first game in charge thanks to ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Harry Kane on England’s first game under Thomas Tuchel and reaching 70 international goals
Harry Kane says there was enough in England’s win over Albania to feel excited about what is to come under new boss Thomas Tuchel.Tuchel oversaw a 2-0 win in his first game in charge thanks to ...Yahoo Sports - 26m -
High school girls basketball: LaFargeville conquers challenge of season to win state crown
Mar. 22—TROY — At last, Emeline Barton and her LaFargeville girls basketball team teammates could truly savor and revel in the moment. After the final buzzer sounded Friday night, the Red Knights ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
High school girls basketball: LaFargeville conquers challenge of season to win state crown
Mar. 22—TROY — At last, Emeline Barton and her LaFargeville girls basketball team teammates could truly savor and revel in the moment. After the final buzzer sounded Friday night, the Red Knights ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Kansas City Chiefs sign CB Robert Rochell to a one-year deal
According to multiple reports, free agent cornerback Robert Rochell reached an agreement to join the Kansas City #Chiefs | @EdEastonJrYahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
Transfer rumors, news: AC Milan to drop Leao's release clause, Chelsea interested
AC Milan are willing to discount Rafael Leao's release clause, and Chelsea could land him. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 24m -
All-Star to architect: Buster Posey's plan to rebuild the Giants
The future Hall of Fame catcher turned president of baseball operations has a vision.ESPN - 25m -
'An out in three pitches': What the rest of MLB can learn from the Royals' old-school rotation
Five guys ... making quality starts ... day in and day out? Sounds like a bygone era. But it worked big-time for the Royals last year. Why isn't everyone else doing it?ESPN - 25m -
Disgruntled Poch: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up ...ESPN - 26m -
'You're my idol': Henry joins Panama celebrations
Panama's Cecilio Waterman celebrated one of the biggest goals in his country's history, to defeat the USMNT, with his idol Thierry Henry.ESPN - 26m