Diana Taurasi’s Reminder After Olympic Scare Proves Why She Deserves Team USA Spot

Much has been said about Diana Taurasi’s Team USA qualification. At age 42, Taurasi has heard a lot of negative takes about her inclusion on the team. But one thing that is impossible to deny is the Phoenix Mercury veteran’s wealth of experience in the Olympics.

Taurasi has played in each iteration of the Summer Games since 2004 in Athens. She entered the Paris Games with five gold medals. And while she no longer is the player she used to be, she can still bring a lot to the table for Team USA, including her Olympic basketball wisdom.

After Team USA took down Belgium on Thursday, 87-74, Taurasi tried to keep her squad on the ground and focused on the main goal, knowing that the job was far from finished. Taurasi brought up her experience with Team USA in 2012 to stress her point.

"Since it has gone to three groups, it's tricky," Taurasi said, per FIBA’s website . "You can't drop games and you have to play well, or it can get complicated.

“Yes, we've won a lot [over the years] but these moment are still hard. I remember in 2012 in London when we were 12 down to Australia going in at half-time for example. There are always some tough moments."

The game was closer than what the final score suggests, as Team USA were only ahead by seven points to start the fourth quarter. Also take note that Belgium entered the game as an underdog by more than 20 points .

Taurasi did not score against Belgium, but her value on the team can’t be quantified by mere numbers.

Taurasi and Team USA now prepare for their next assignment, a showdown against Germany on Sunday.

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