All-Star Weekend

The West Won it, 122 - 99.

Sheryl Swoopes got the MVP. I was hoping Sue would have gotten it since they were almost even in the stats and Sue had more assists but I guess more people voted for Swoopes. Not too bad though. At least it wasn't any of the Sporks.


Dee joking around with Sue's mask. Sheryl's reaction is priceless.

Bird, Taurasi enjoy homecoming to Connecticut

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) - No matter what team they play for, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi always will be able to call Connecticut home.

The former University of Connecticut standouts received warm receptions from the sellout crowd of 9,168 at the Mohegan Sun Arena before helping the Western Conference post a 122-99 victory over the Eastern Conference on Saturday at the WNBA All-Star Game.

Bird and Taurasi combined to win five national championships while playing collegiately at Connecticut, including one together in 2002. The duo has gone on to experience success in the pros as well, although both are still fondly remembered here for their time with the Huskies.

Bird has been named to the All-WNBA first team twice and won her first championship with the Seattle Storm last season, when Taurasi was named Rookie of the Year playing for the Phoenix Mercury. The fans reunited Bird and Taurasi for the All-Star game, voting both to the West's starting backcourt.

"It's nice to know that people support me, support (Seattle teammate Lauren Jackson), as well as the other UConn girls," Bird said. "I'm just glad that we all made it."

When the lineups were introduced, Bird and Taurasi received ovations that rivaled Nykesha Sales - who also played at Connecticut - and Taj McWilliams-Franklin of the hometown Sun.

Bird and Taurasi also had kind things to say about the Connecticut fans.

"I truly believe that this is one of the best places for women's basketball," Bird said. "The support that I saw in my four years at UConn, not only that, but the same for the Sun. People really embrace women's basketball, they wrap themselves in it. So to have an All-Star game here, its pretty great."

"To come back, they couldn't have had it in a better place," Taurasi said. "It is the perfect spot. People love basketball here. They support it. It is a perfect venue for the All-Star Game."

It did not take long for their chemistry together to show. Just three minutes into the game, Taurasi drove the lane and passed out to Bird, who nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner to give the West a 10-6 lead.

"It's always fun to be on the court with Sue," said Taurasi, who played with Bird on the U.S. Olympic team. "We get along so well. When we get back on the court, it is just like the old days."

Playing in her first All-Star Game, Taurasi scored 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting, but left her mark on the game in other ways. She had four assists and hit long 3-pointers at the end of each period, including one from nearly 30 feet with 52 seconds left in the game.

"That is the power of Diana Taurasi," said West coach Ann Donovan, who also coaches Bird in Seattle. "I liken her to Cheryl Miller, the same dynamic personality that gets everybody into the game.

"Yesterday at practice, it was about the same thing, getting the fans involved and having fun and enjoying the moment. Diana, like everybody else that's playing in this game, has their own pressures at home, their own seasons to worry about, but everybody left their stress and came here to Connecticut to enjoy the experience and certainly Diana led the way there."