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3 WNBA players that could help the Boston Celtics in 2019-20

By Andrew Hughes

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 27: Brittney Griner #42 of Team Delle Donne speaks with retired NBA player, Kobe Bryant during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2019 on July 27, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 27: Brittney Griner #42 of Team Delle Donne speaks with retired NBA player, Kobe Bryant during the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game 2019 on July 27, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Diana Taurasi

Last, but certainly not least, we have a player who, truth be told, would probably have the easiest time of all these talents transitioning her game to the NBA. Diana Taurasi is without a doubt one of the greatest WNBA players to ever grace the hardwood.

Through her career she has garnered many accomplishments, such as 13 All-WNBA team honors, nine All-Star appearances, three WNBA Championships, two Finals MVP’s and a league MVP. Of all the women Kobe Bryant mentioned in his recent claim that some WNBA players could contribute in the NBA today, Taurasi was the first name to roll off his tongue — and rightly so.

For her career, the future Hall of Famer has boasted averages of 19.6 points, 4.3 assists, 3.9 boards and one steal per game on 43% shooting from the field and 37% shooting from downtown. She has a very similar game to NBA legend Steve Nash and could certainly help this Celtics team in a variety of ways such as distribution, floor spacing and, perhaps most importantly, veteran mentorship.

One of the main reasons why we believe Taurasi’s game would be the easiest to transition over to the NBA in comparison to the other two players is because, unlike Delle Donne and, to an even greater extent Griner, the point guard barely relies on her stature to help her excel.

She has proven that she is one of the best at creating her own shots off crossovers, step backs and from long range — not in the vein of “bully ball” — , and has pinpoint precision when dishing to teammates, wether they are wide open or completely smothered by an opposing team’s defense.

Her ability to excel despite lacking in size may also be a plus for the Boston Celtics in regard to the development of rookie point guard Tremont Waters. The LSU product, too, is vertically challenged, but has shown flashes of brilliance — albeit in short spurts — thus far in year one. With someone like Taurasi in tow, it could be a huge plus for his growth as a player, as she is proof that even the little ones can pack a big punch.

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If any WNBA player deserves a shot, it’s the woman who owns the “Mamba Mentality” more so than any other: Diana Taurasi.

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