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SPORTS Tuesday 20 June 2017

Taurasi stands alone

atop WNBA scoring list

By DOUG FEINBERG was pretty cool,” she said. vor we could see a histori-
AP Basketball Writer “I was trying not to think cal night.”
About the only thing miss- about, wanted it to hap- Bryant has always been im-
ing from Diana Taurasi’s pen and do it organically. It pressed with how hard Tau-
record-setting day was a did. You think about all the rasi works. “To be that great
victory. great players you played for so many years is a testa-
Taurasi became the WN- with, all the games.” ment to her work ethic and
BA’s career scoring leader Taurasi stands alone atop commitment to the game,” In this Aug. 20, 2016, file photo, United States’ Diana Taurasi, left,
in front of her family, friends the league’s scoring list. Bryant told ESPN. “Her intel- Tamika Catchings, center, and Sue Bird, right, celebrate with
and Kobe Bryant. She has 7,494 points and lect and sacrifice. She’s just their gold medals after their win in a women’s basketball game
With her parents watching, has averaged 19.9 points in a phenomenal athlete.” against Spain at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,
Taurasi passed Tina Thomp- her career. Thompson, who played Brazil.
son on Sunday in the Phoe- She said in the weeks lead- with Taurasi on a few Olym- Associated Press
nix Mercury’s 90-59 loss to ing up to the historic points pic and overseas teams, of- and definitely one of my only took the Mercury star
the Sparks in Los Angeles. that she wasn’t thinking fered her congratulations. favorites. She has done 13 seasons to become
“It’s pretty special I got to about the record. “I am excited that it is Di- amazing things and I am so the league’s top scorer.
do it in front of my family After the basket, the game ana and it is my absolute grateful that I’ve been able Thompson needed 17 years
on Father’s Day in LA,” said stopped and Taurasi was pleasure to pass the torch to share many of those with to achieve her total.
Taurasi, who finished with given a warm ovation from on to her,” Thompson said. her. I am really excited for Earlier in the season, Taur-
19 points. Taurasi came the crowd that included “She and I have shared so Diana and I think she is go- asi set the career 3-pointer
into the game needing Bryant and his daughters as many amazing moments ing to blow that record out record, passing Katie Smith.
14 points to break Thomp- well as Taurasi’s family. throughout our basketball of the water.” Taurasi has 927 3-pointers.
son’s mark and the Mer- “We had this planned on careers, whether it was Taurasi, averaging 18.1 She turned 35 this month
cury guard did it late in the the schedule for quite gold medals, champion- points this year, passed and doesn’t seem to be
first half on a layup with her some time,” Bryant said ships or All-Star games. Di- Tamika Catchings for sec- slowing down. She re-
team down big. during an interview in- ana is one of the best play- ond on the WNBA scor- cently signed an extension
“Once I got the basket it game. “It worked in our fa- ers to ever play the game ing list early this season. It through 2020.q
Cavs, GM Griffin part after 3 straight NBA Finals trips

By TOM WITHERS ing most recently, his role The 47-year-old Griffin had
AP Sports Writer in the franchise’s first NBA been Cleveland’s GM since
CLEVELAND (AP) — David Championship,” Gilbert May 2014. He took over the
Griffin’s run with the Cleve- said in a statement. “We role on a full-time basis af-
land Cavaliers is over after have no announcement ter serving as an interim GM
one championship and at this time related to new for three months following
three straight trips to the leadership of the Cava- Chris Grant’s firing.
NBA Finals. The general liers basketball operations Griffin oversaw the team’s
manager and team mutu- group, but we are confi- return to prominence af-
ally parted ways on Mon- dent our current front office ter LeBron James came
day when owner David Gil- will continue to aggressive- back from Miami. Griffin
bert said Griffin’s contract ly explore and pursue op- orchestrated the trade
will not be extended once portunities to improve our that brought Kevin Love
from Minnesota, and he
it expires June 30. team in the weeks ahead.” bolstered the Cavs’ roster
“On behalf of the entire or- Griffin’s departure comes with other trades and free
In this May 15, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers general ganization, I would like to three days before the draft agent signings.
manager David Griffin speaks at a news conference in Cleve- thank Griff for his leadership — the Cavs are currently Griffin was the fourth GM
land. and many contributions without a pick — and on to work for Gilbert, who
Associated Press during his time here, includ- the eve of free agency. bought the Cavs in 2005.q