Turnign to basketball, Lauren Jackson, along with Sue Bird, is the key to the Storm’s success. She is an all-world player that is, simply put, the best in the WNBA. That is why the Storm funnel their offense through her. Although the team drafted and brought in a lot of bodies to fill her shoes, Coach Brian Agler knew that for the team to win another banner, LJ would need to be in a Seattle uniform.
The Storm offered a multi-year deal but Jackson only agreed to a one-year deal citing year round playing and injuries for reasons. Makes sense to me that she might want to have an option to reevaluate her priorities on a yearly basis. She had to have ankle surgery after the Beijing Olympics. That knocked her out of the WNBA season last year. Jackson also plays in a professional league in Russia. Add in international duties with her home Australian team and she is on the court all year. That’s enough to burn out any athlete.
The risk is that she decides to take her game elsewhere next year. It’s another ballsy decision but I think it is worth the risk with her. Give her the support and space she needs to feel comfortable, make sure she knows how needed she is by the team and the city, and then let her play. Jackson seems mature enough to remember that positive support and treatment when the contract renewal time comes up next year.
After all, Lauren was selected No. 1 overall in 2001 by the Storm. Not only has she played her entire career in the WNBA with Seattle, she is the all-time leader for the Storm in points (4,602), rebounds (1,887), blocked shots (485) and games played (237) while averaging 19.4 points and 8.0 rebounds. Jackson has been named the league and finals MVP as well as winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2007.
The Storm expects LJ to report to training camp which begins May 17. Seattle opens the season in Sacramento on June 6.
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