Hoops Happening: Today in women’s basketball — Thursday May 3, 2018

On Tuesday, I had the great honor of speaking with WNBA all-time leading scorer — GOAT, basketball behemoth — Diana Taurasi.

Our interview start time was delayed by more than an hour because her practice ran late. Naturally, my first question was to ask if Phoenix Mercury Head Coach Sandy Brondello was cracking the whip now with hopes of another WNBA Championship later.

According to Taurasi, Tuesday’s practice was “about two hours-and-a-half ... probably the longest I’ve practiced since college.”

So, Coach Brondello does mean business, and with good reason.

The team acquired several new players in the offseason, including rookie Marie Gülich and seasoned veterans Sancho Lyttle and Camille Little. To contend for a title, developing team cohesion quickly is of utmost importance.

“Early in the season, there’s obviously ... so many new faces that we have this year and getting everyone on the same page is something that we want to do really early,” said Taurasi. “So, once the season starts, we all kind of know which way we’re heading.”

During our conversation, Taurasi also shared some interesting tidbits about some of her teammates, such as who she considers to be “one of my favorite players ever that I’ve gotten to play with” and who she was quick to label “the most versatile player in the world.”

Any guesses?

More from my interview with Diana Taurasi coming soon ...

Other happenings in women’s hoops

While we’re on the Mercury tip ...

The quick-handed speed demon took the 2017 season off to have twins!

Links Appeal

• Elena Delle Donne speaks only facts about the WNBA not receiving proper support
• After discussing such a frustrating issue, EDD is greeted at home with sloppy kisses
• In news of the ugly, Minnesota has not received an invitation to the White House to celebrate the Lynx’s 2017 WNBA Championship (and they probably shouldn’t hold their breath on that one, either)
• An invitation meant for Dawn Staley and the 2017 NCAAW champion South Carolina Gamecocks apparently got lost in the mail
• Coach Lindsay Whalen scores big with new addition to University of Minnesota coaching staff
• NBA Countdown host Michelle Beadle sounds off on major “societal issue” in the way that some men treat women