United States women’s Olympic basketball team is heavily favored over host Japan in Sunday’s finals

The fact that Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are going for a fifth-straight Olympic women’s basketball championship is insane.

But not surprising for the remainder of the team as it provides nothing but praise and joy to be a part of the Bird-Taurasi dynasty.

The dynamic duo of Bird, now 40 and Taurasi 39, has not only been successful in the Olympics and world championships, but won national titles at Connecticut as well as league titles in the WNBA after being top recruits out of high school.

Now they could be in their finale on the court when the red, white and blue takes on host Japan for the gold medal Sunday.

“We’re all aware of it,” says Brianna Stewart, who also played for UConn, “and we’re going to make sure the two superstars win another.”

That’s right, the world of women’s basketball knows just how much Bird and Taurasi have done for the sport, and to all, it’s been extremely special. Plus they have been right there playing for a stellar program that has won 45 in a row.

Dawn Staley, head coach of South Carolina and the women’s Olympic team, had plenty of tribute for Bird of the Seattle Storm and Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, and this, too, could be the WNBA finales for the two.

“Those two,” said Staley, “have done so, so much for the sport. They have been a credit to the game. Not only are they elite players, but they bring great leadership. We play Japan for the Gold and expect more headlines for the two, both unselfish, but always in the game.”

Japan has been a big surprise. It lacks size, but has been a good team in transition and has been tossing in a number of 3s. It has developed more confidence, but will be a big underdog against the U.S.

Along with the 6-foot-5 Stewart, WNBA MVP and 6-3 A’ja Wilson at the forwards and Bird and Taurasi at the guards, the 6-8 Brittany Griner is in the post.

Others on the star-studded roster of WNBA players are guards Ariel Atkins, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Lloyd, forwards Chelsea Gray, Sylvia Fowles, Napheesa Collier, and Tina Charles. Collier and Charles also played for UConn, as did assistant coach Jennifer Rizzotti, one of the first standouts on Geno Auriemma’s 11 national champions.