Friends of the court

Team USA's Bird and Taurasi still are good buddies

Diana Taurasi (left) is considered the more outgoing one, but the personalities of she and good friend Sue Bird (right) aren't that much different. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)

BEIJING - There may not be a pair of women in America, or even worldwide, who have played more basketball games together than Olympians Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. And there might not be anyone closer than the two former University of Connecticut stars.

Bird and Taurasi have won an NCAA title together, played in three WNBA All-Star Games together, and won titles as teammates in Russia with Moscow Spartak. And now, the United States hoop stars with the sister-like bond hope to take another step toward their second Olympic gold medal together in quarterfinal action tonight when the undefeated United States (5-0) plays South Korea (2-3).

"We've done so much together," Taurasi said. "We have gone to Connecticut, overseas, the Olympics. We have kind of gone through our basketball careers together and have built a great relationship. I'd take a bullet for her.

"She's one of my best friends. Not only do I get to play basketball with her, I've shared some great moments."

Said Bird, "You're going to be on a winning team if Diana's on it. So, of course, I want to be on that team."

Bird first met Taurasi when the latter took a recruiting visit to UConn. Although Bird wasn't hosting Taurasi, she was told by the coaching staff to make sure the star recruit from Chino, Calif., had a good time when she took her out. Instead, Taurasi showed Bird a good time as she showcased her old-school hip-hop moves at a party.

And ever since Taurasi busted a move, the two have been extremely close.

"She was a definitely a California kid," said Bird. "Really loud, outgoing. She still is, but she's actually toned it down a little bit, if you can believe that. She's just really personable. She definitely had charisma and people are drawn to her. You could see it from the second she came on campus.

"We were under strict instructions to make sure she had a good time, so we took her out. The one thing I can remember from her visit is she was doing some crazy dance moves. We were like, 'What are those?' I'm talking robot-type stuff, and all that. I wasn't impressed at all. I was embarrassed for her. I don't think anyone in Connecticut had seen those moves. We still talk about it today."

"I'm from California," said Taurasi. "I had to show them what's up."

The often-grinning Taurasi grabs everyone's attention whether they want her to or not. Bird is very cool, calm, and laidback. So, in a sense, they even each other out. If someone wants to get a hold of Taurasi, Bird is often reached to relay a message. Bird has jokingly been called Taurasi's agent. But while Bird is seen as the innocent one, that might be just a facade.

"Everyone thinks I'm the shy one, the innocent one," Bird said. "She'll be quick to tell you that I'm not as innocent as you may think. Our personalities aren't that much different. She's just much more in your face about it, but not in a bad way. We have a good time."

Bird and Taurasi's familiarity with one another is a benefit to USA Basketball, since most of the players don't play together often.

They have both started all five games for the undefeated Americans, who have been trouncing foes by 43 points per game. Bird is averaging 3.2 points and 2 assists in 17.2 minutes per game. Taurasi is averaging 9.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 18.4 minutes.

"The best thing about it all is, on the court, it's like clockwork," said Taurasi, who plays for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. "On a team like this that doesn't have much time to prepare, that's one less thing we have to work on. I know her tendencies and she knows mine. We have a great synergy on the court."

Bird will turn 28 Oct. 16; Taurasi is 26. Four years from now, they will have more wear and tear on their bodies, and will be in their early 30s, and there will be a new crop of young stars looking to take the spotlight from them.

But if USA Basketball wants Bird and Taurasi back for the 2012 London Olympics, and they're healthy, they would love to wear the red, white, and blue again.

"If I'm physically able play, absolutely," said Bird, a member of the Seattle Storm. "I say that now. Representing your country is something that crosses your path every four years. For a lot of athletes it only comes once. So to have an opportunity to have done it twice is amazing, and to do it a third time would be even better."

Bird was the 2002 Naismith Player of the Year at UConn and won two titles there. Taurasi was a two-time Naismith Player of the Year and won three NCAA titles with the Huskies. Bird and Taurasi said they both keep close tabs on the high-pressure UConn program.

"They got to the Final Four, finally, last year," Bird said. "They kind of got that monkey off their back. With every Final Four appearance, the people that have gone through it build a confidence. You don't want to settle. When you haven't been there, you don't know any better. But now that they've been there . . . they have the tools to do very well. It's in good hands."

"Most programs would die for our last four or five years," said Taurasi. "But us, getting to the Final Four and losing? I'd rather not even get there. But we have some great people there."

Bird and Taurasi won't be able to play basketball together forever, but they will always have an unbreakable bond and countless stories to tell about their time together on and off the court.

"We always stay in contact even if we are not in the same place," Bird said. "We plan vacations together. We are just really good friends.

"Basketball is what brings us together at the same place, at the same time. But even if we didn't have it, we'd hang out."

"We do everything together," said Taurasi. "That's my dog. I love her to death."

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com