WNBA legend backs United’s pedigree

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United will have some extra support heading into Round 14 following a talk from WNBA legend Diana Taurasi.

Speaking to the team on Thursday morning, Taurasi, who has been training at Melbourne United’s home of Hoop City, said while United have had a slow start to the season, the side has the pedigree to turn things around heading into their final six games.

“The beauty of a season is at any moment you guys can switch it on,” she said.

“You know that, you have pedigree, you have the (championship) banners to show it…  you’ve got to find what this team is good at, what you guys enjoy doing together on the court that brings out the best in each other.”

The talk left some of United’s stars, like Shea Ili, awestruck.

Speaking after MU’s training session, the soon-to-be 200 game player said hearing from Taurasi, as well as seeing her put in the work on the court was special.

“That was crazy, that’s like (Michael) Jordan for the women’s game,” Ili said.

“She’s done everything out there, Championships, MVPs, Gold Medals. To see her in the gym before we started, it’s awesome to see this late in her career, still getting up jumpshots. That’s what GOATs do.”

These sentiments were echoed by Head Coach Dean Vickerman.

“She was fantastic, she was really open about her career and what she sees from our group and this league.

“(She has) a mentality to just continue to try and improve and that’s certainly a space where we’re at.

“(She spoke about) the only thing that matters are the people that are in our locker room and what we’re trying to achieve. Experts are going to say what they want, they’re always going to try and find an edge to try and be controversial in different matters and try and write people off and whether that motivates us or we listen to it, it doesn’t really matter. 

“We know there’s an opportunity for us to not rely on other people’s results, if we do the right thing, we feel like we can get into the playoffs if we play the right way.”

Melbourne United will next take the court on Saturday evening when they face the Tasmania JackJumpers on the road from 5:30pm.

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