Sue Bird's legendary career continues

More than ten years ago, after delivering a speech to aspiring professionals at a Nike Arizona tournament, Sue Bird was surprised by a screaming high school student who needed to meet her idol.

"I just said, I'm going to find her," said the Las Vegas Aces leader and Kelsey Plum 2017's No. 1 pick to SB Nation.

After an unrestrained run of at least 50 yards, Plum drew the attention of the Seattle Storm leader. With the ease we expected on the court, Bird entertained the antics of the former Connecticut Husky under-10 club member.

"Hey, I just want to let you know that I'll be like you someday," Plum recalls, telling the star that his best UConn moments have been spent time and time again.

"I bet you're going," Bird replied. "Good luck."

It was just two seconds of conversation, but Plum still cherishes every detail.

For Plum's generation, Sue Bird was – and remains – the superstar you thought you could imitate. At 5'9, Bird appeared to be a realistic model, even though his superior athleticism and basketball intelligence allowed him to become a rare venture during his historic career. Her unobtrusive behavior has also contributed to making her misleading compared to those who admire her. Of course, she also has the habit of superstar larger than life to make clutch games in the greatest moments, a trait of a million.

From his high school years in New York to his winning years at UConn and his 16 seasons with the Seattle Storm, Bird's way has remained constant. The all-time WNBA leader in games has played and rarely attends the hunt before having to do it. She had Diana Taurasi take this charge to UConn and Breanna Stewart to do it now with the Seattle Storm. Instead, she influences the game by delivering the ball to her teammates.

Even as the oldest player in the league at age 37, she was still a star in 2018 and still the leader of the team that recruited her in 2002. She now has three championships over a 14-year period. Nobody is supposed to stay as talented as she is all this time.

The legendary potential of Sue Bird was hidden from view

Two decades ago, Sue Bird was an ambitious high school student when Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma saw her playing for the first time at an AAU tournament. in Nashville. Auriemma was used to recruiting children who dribbled too much or shot beyond their abilities in the hope of standing out. But Bird did not play recklessly or selfishly to impress. She just impressed, playing a full game while moving the ball to the teammates.

"It never really applies until now," Auriemma told SB Nation. "She's going to be someone who, unless you're careful, is not going to marvel at statistics or ridiculous games. You really have to be careful.

Years after helping UConn win two NCAA titles and become a No. 1 draft pick in the WNBA overall standings, Auriemma can admit he did not know he was recruiting a future legend. He recalled that Bird was one of the top 20 hopefuls in most rankings, with a discreet personality and a more subtle game than flashy.

"When we had Sue, we knew we were going really well, but you do not know if you're getting a legendary player," Auriemma said. "When we recruited Diana, we knew we were there. [Breanna Stewart], same thing. Maya Moore, same thing. When we recruited Sue, we thought, "Yeah, this kid's going to be really good. I think she's going to help us a lot. We did not know she was going to be what she is.

What Bird has been is the bold leader of each team because of its unparalleled competitiveness.

"People know Diana [Taurasi] is perhaps the best player of all time, "Auriemma said of WNBA's top scorer and long-time leader in technical fouls. "But it's in your face. At every game you watch, you go 'Holy shit' this kid is amazing. "

Bird cut from a different fabric. She will credit the biggest night of her career to someone else and will play a great time as a routine.

"She talks about what I can do to make everyone better," Auriemma said. "When people do it, they sacrifice their perception. They try to divert attention from themselves.

Bird is a known facilitator. But when the game is at stake, it's his moment.

Minnesota Lynx coach, Cheryl Reeve, is asking her teams to defend Bird differently depending on the quarter.

"I think she's the best leader of all time and I've had a really good one in Minnesota," Reeve told SB Nation, referring to Lindsay Whalen's recent retirement.

First of all, Reeve knows that Bird is too smart for a static approach.

"Coverage does not matter to us," Reeve told SB Nation. "You can go out once, but you will not get out twice." Sue will find out.

Secondly, Reeve knows that Bird can have an impact on the game in many ways. Bird can be the game creator, The brain, and the hangman – and usually in that order. In the first three quarters of the year, Reeve made his defense lead the most creative setter in the league to shoot. This is the last thing she knows that Bird, a member of the team in the truest sense of the word, has the mind as early in the game.

But this plan does not work once time is running out. In the fourth frame, Sue Bird is inevitable.

"If anyone could do five times three in a match, she could only make two," Auriemma told SB Nation. "But the two that she will create will be the ones who will win the match."

Bird's ability to take control of a match was demonstrated in the decisive semifinal of Seattle's match 5 against Phoenix Mercury of Taurasi. With a spot in the 2018 finals on the line and just 48 hours from the end of the fourth game, Masked Sue Bird scored 14 points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter to open a tight game.

While his team-mates and his opponents were not much surprised by Bird's performance, his combative behavior even surprised long-time observers. After not receiving a fictional call on a game that had the effect of dislodging her face shield, she threw off her mask and ignited against the referees.

The crowd in Seattle, along with his teammates, roared at the sight of their leader, even of equal temperament, reaching unknown territories. Meanwhile, Taurasi, who was no stranger to arguments with the referees, wanted the keeper of the storm to whistle a technical foul after the crisis.

"Talk about a hypocrite," joked Bird at SB Nation before the WNBA finals. "Whatever I say, I tell you that I've heard her say 100 times worse than referees and not get technique."

She watched the game again after the match to find evidence of the fault she wanted to call. The problem was, she could not. He did not exist. The referees have understood well.

So, the old Sue Bird is back postgame. She told SB Nation that she had apologized to the referees afterwards.

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The legacy of Sue Bird is already assured

She is perhaps the oldest player in the league, but Bird is still a nightmare, even for the most recent competitions.

"It's terrible," says Plum about keeping his idol. "She never stops moving and her decisions are so clear with so much rhythm. Honest to God of all those with whom I played in the WNBA, she is probably my least favorite person to keep.

Surrounded by two Seattle stars and the league's most up-and-coming player, Bird seemed to be renewed in 2018 while leading one of the WNBA's most aggressive attacks to a championship. She may be late in her career, but she's just starting out with a new superteam.

She went through a reconstruction in Seattle to get there too. His decision to deny opportunities to join Taurasi in Phoenix or Tina Charles in his hometown of New York has been validated.

"I feel a great sense of belonging with this franchise," Bird told SB Nation. "I feel part of the fabric and I want it to succeed for years to come. I think my last gift to the franchise would be to help these young players and give them a boost. And then I would be gone a long time and they would manage it.

His mark was made. Wherever the countdown ends, Bird's impact can also be measured by the success of his teammates. Jewell Loyd, her 24-year-old teammate, was named to the star team, and Stewart, in her third season, was named MVP of the regular season and finals. The role of Bird in their development has been decisive and a success in itself.

"I never started the career I had," Bird told SB Nation. "What I know for sure is that I put gain first."

The game of a go-first, low-ego guard might never have the attention it deserves, but there is no doubt that Bird's achievements and dominance at all levels which she played.

"To be where I am now, I have never been able to predict that."