"I missed a layup" - Self-deprecating Diana Taurasi lays bare reality of being dubbed GOAT and life as WNBA's elder

Diana Taurasi is still going strong in her 21st season in the WNBA. Despite being the league's oldest player at 42, Taurasi opened up about being called The GOAT by the fans and being an elder stateswoman at this point in her legendary career.

In an interview with GQ Sports, Taurasi opened up about being uncomfortable with every game and how her self-deprecating sense of humor helps. She was also asked about being voted by the fans as The GOAT in 2021.

Here's how the conversation went:

"How long did it take you to feel comfortable?" Matthew Roberson of GQ asked.

"Man, I still don’t feel comfortable. If you’re feeling comfortable? Nah, that's not it," Taurasi replied.

"Even as you start winning championships and people are calling you the GOAT?" Roberson followed up.

"I missed a layup and an open three last night," Taurasi answered.

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Diana Taurasi on being the oldest player in the WNBA

In the same interview with GQ Sports, Diana Taurasi was asked about the age difference she has with the majority of the players in the WNBA. Taurasi shared that it finally hit her during a training camp for Team USA.

"I had a moment at the last USA Basketball training camp where we had a lunch. I looked around, and I was sitting with all the coaches. 'Damn, I’m old! I'm hanging with the coaches?' And I played with most of them! If you're the oldest one, you're almost a rookie in a lot of ways, just on the other end of the spectrum," Taurasi said.

The second-oldest players in the WNBA are Alysha Clark of the Las Vegas Aces and DeWanna Bonner of the Connecticut Sun. Clark and Bonner are both 36, while Courtney Vandersloot, Emma Cannon, Sami Whitcomb and Tina Charles are all 35 years old.

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Diana Taurasi on the treatment Caitlin Clark is getting as a rookie

Diana Taurasi caught a lot of flak for her comments on Caitlin Clark way before the superstar rookie player in her first WNBA game. Taurasi called it a sign of respect because teams are focusing their defense on Clark and putting the best players on her.

"That's the ultimate sign of respect. When you come into the league and everyone's eyes are on you and you're getting the best defender every game, double-teamed on every pick and roll, face guarded, top lined, that's respect from the other team," Taurasi said.

The GOAT has not faced off against Clark this season. Fans will have to wait until the end of June to witness the Phoenix Mercury take on the Indiana Fever. The two teams will face each other two more times on July 12 and August 16.