Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are nearly synonymous with the WNBA, renowned not only for their skills but for their long-standing friendship and shared history in the sport. Diana Taurasi leads the league in all-time points, while Sue Bird tops the charts in assists. Their connection deepened over their extensive careers, with Bird retiring in 2022 and Taurasi becoming the oldest active player in the league thereafter. In an insightful interview with iHeart Radio, Bird recounted a humorous incident from the 2004 Athens Olympics that truly captured Taurasi's forgetful nature.

Bird and Taurasi, both newcomers to the U.S. women's Olympic basketball team back then, understood that their chances of playing substantial minutes would increase in the future, as veterans like Dawn Staley were planning to retire, creating opportunities for the young guards. With this in mind, they focused on learning from the experienced players and enjoying the experience. During the competition's first game against New Zealand, they got a rare opportunity to play. As they prepared in the locker room, Taurasi tapped Bird's shoulder in initial panic and confessed, "I brought two left shoes."

Bird, taken aback, responded with disbelief. Despite this hilarious blunder with her footwear, Taurasi played well, leading the team with nine rebounds, while Bird contributed with three assists. This story was just one of many Bird shared about Taurasi's absentminded episodes. Another anecdote unfolded during a trip to Russia, where Taurasi forgot her jersey. Bird recalled, "We’re in Russia, about to play, and Taurasi realized she left her jersey at home." Bird noted that her old friend seemed to have an endless array of such forgetful moments.

The bond between Bird and Taurasi traces back to their collegiate days at UConn, where they were teammates and NCAA champions. Their shared experiences at UConn laid the foundation for their enduring friendship. They both embarked on highly successful WNBA careers after college. Bird was the first overall pick in 2002, joining the Seattle Storm, and Taurasi followed in 2004 with the Phoenix Mercury. Their professional rivalry mirrored their collegiate battles, with memorable matchups such as their initial WNBA face-off where both scored 22 points. Bird leads in regular season head-to-head matchups 25-20, while Taurasi leads in postseason encounters 8-6.

Both players boast impressive championships, with Bird winning four titles, and Taurasi close behind with three. In a friendly jest, Taurasi noted her perseverance with the national team allowed her to collect more Olympic Golds than Bird, six to her five. Their rivalry has always been enveloped in mutual respect and camaraderie, exemplifying a deep friendship that began at UConn and continues to this day. Their shared love for basketball and genuine affection for each other prove to be the foundation of their close relationship, which extended beyond the court when they co-hosted 'The Bird and Taurasi Show.' This heartfelt and humorous camaraderie makes their friendship one of the most cherished stories in the world of women's sports.