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Diana Taurasi's take on WNBA officiating draws strong backlash as fans question her stance on league referees.
WNBA legend Diana Taurasi gave a no-holds-barred response on Saturday when asked about how referees have been calling games. The three-time champ urged everyone heading into the All-Star Game to “just get over it,” emphasizing that the officiating “hasn’t changed in 30 years.”
Taurasi’s candid response drew strong reactions from the WNBA world.
Diana Taurasi’s Take on WNBA Officiating Sparks Major Social Media Backlash
Refereeing issues have been hounding the WNBA for years. This season, officiating is under even more intense scrutiny, particularly after the incident involving Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark.
Last month, Thomas dropped a fist on Clark’s throat in the middle of a basketball scrum. The Phoenix Mercury forward initially got away scot-free before massive backlash from league observers prompted the WNBA to review the incident.
Upon review, the WNBA labeled Thomas’ play a “non-basketball act,” the reason it suspended her for one game and fined her $1,000.
With officiating becoming a major concern, Taurasi addressed the issue, saying that since it hasn’t changed for 3 decades, everyone should “just get over it.”
The WNBA community promptly and mercilessly rained down criticisms on her.
“Wow. What a dumb, selfish thing to say. It’s been bad for 30 years, so ‘just get over it’ is basically, I had to deal with bad officiating, so everyone else should too. She had the power and platform to push for change. Instead, she tells everyone else to accept the problem,” an X user wrote.
“This is a TERRIBLE take. The officiating has to improve. It diminishes the quality of the product on the court,” another X user added.
“Retire in peace, you don’t need a say in anything anymore, Diana,” a WNBA observer continued.
“Leave it to a WW to always be tone deaf (expletive). The more she talks, the more I dislike her. Sounding like a (expletive) boomer,” an X user reacted.
“This perspective actually kind of sums up the older gen of players vs the newer gen of players in a nutshell. Many (not all) of the older gen were never ready for the league to truly grow and progress as it has today. Set in their ways,” a WNBA supporter commented.
“’It’s always been this way, so it’s gotta stay this way’ is a truly pathetic soundbite,” another X observer tweeted.
Taurasi played a record 20 WNBA seasons, giving her enviable insight and perspective on how referees have called games. Apparently, there has been no improvement, which is exactly why the league has poor officiating.
RELATED:‘Hasn’t Changed In 30 Years’ – WNBA Legend Diana Taurasi Makes Feelings Clear On Controversial Officiating
Interestingly, the comment from the 14-time All WNBA was a big shift from what she said on Friday at the Game Plan Summit at Fanatics Fest. While facing WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Taurasi emphasized how the “referees got to get better.”
The sudden change in tone and message did not sit well with the WNBA community, forcing them to call out Taurasi for her latest comments on officiating.
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