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‘We Were Better Team Players’ — WNBA Legend Sue Bird Makes Bold Comparison Between the Current Players and Her Era

WNBA icon Sue Bird reflected on the evolution of the league during a recent podcast appearance, drawing a distinction between the individual skill of today’s players and the teamwork that defined her era. Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time national champion, and four-time WNBA champion with Seattle, acknowledged the significant advancements in player skill over the past 15 years.

She highlighted how modern athletes have refined their ability to create and execute high-percentage shots from deep, even when defenders close out aggressively, noting a shift from traditional close-range scoring. Despite the rise in individual talent, Bird emphasized that her generation prioritized collective play, arguing that players from 15 years ago may have been more effective as team players.

Her own career, marked by 13 All-Star selections and a selfless approach—including averaging 11.7 points per game during her standout college years at UConn—underscores her perspective on the balance between individual brilliance and teamwork.

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