The Seattle Storm Honor Global Icon Lauren Jackson
Like Batman & Robin, Seattle’s professional sports scene has had its fair share of dynamic duos: “The Glove” & “The Reignman”, aka Gary Payton & Shawn Kemp (Supersonics), Dave Krieg & Steve Largent (Seahawks). However, one can argue, no duo has been as dominant as the WNBA’s Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson (Storm). When it comes to superpowers on the basketball court, it can also be argued that Bird and Jackson are as powerful as another NBA dynamic duo, Hall of Famers John “Stock” Stockton and “The Mailman” Karl Malone (Utah Jazz).
Before a sold out Key Arena crowd, No. 15 Lauren Jackson’s Jersey was lifted above the rafters after a blowout game between the Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics. Befitting the evening’s jersey retirement ceremony, Seattle stormed past the Mystics 80-51, to honor Jackson who helped bring the city two WNBA world championships.
For over a decade Lauren Jackson was the center piece of the Seattle Storm franchise and would lead them to two WNBA Championships in 2004 and 2010, while inspiring young girls worldwide. In 2001, at the age of 19, Lauren Jackson was drafted number one by the Seattle Storm. Head Coach at the time Lin Dunn stated “Everyone was trying to get that pick. Other teams were offering almost their whole starting five, as they were for Sue Bird the next year. But there was no way I was going to trade that pick. Once we knew we had it that was before the lottery, so we had the pick because we finished last there was no doubt in my mind who I was selecting. I had gone to Australia to watch her in the 2000 Olympics. After seeing her perform in Sydney, with her toughness, competitiveness and long-term potential, there was no doubt. She was too good.”
When Lauren Jackson helped lead the Seattle Storm to the 2004 WNBA Championship, it gave the city of Seattle its first championship since the Seattle Supersonics won in 1979. After a six year hiatus she lead the team along with Sue Bird to the city’s second championship in 2010, where Lauren earned her only Finals’ MVP, but she was and still is the only non-born American to win the award in league history.
After the game, Sue Bird shared happy memories of her time sharing the hardwood with Jackson. On always being mentioned as a duo with No. 15 Lauren, Bird said: “I love it. It’s only right because so much of what we did here was together. We really complimented each other. We have been together since day one. The attributes that we both possess as basketball players, it just fits. I love that my career is tied to hers. I have no other way to describe it. It’s only right that it would happen like that.” About her best memories in Seattle with Lauren, Bird reflected: “Luckily because we played so long here together, we have a lot to choose from. Obviously on-court, the easy answer is winning championships, but I think some of the best memories we have are the nights we went out after games or the long road trips when flights get delayed and you have to make it fun, but as far as on the court and the city of Seattle. The city watched us grow up since we were 21 and our relationship continued to grow as the years went on.”
Lauren Jackson won three WNBA Most Valuable Player awards, three Best WNBA Player ESPY Awards, an Olympic silver medal, three All-WNBA Teams, defensive Player of the Year, and the all decade team that includes teammate and future Hall of Famer Sue Bird.
Currently, Lauren is slated to be inducted into the 2021 class of the Hall of Fame, as a first ballot selection, along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.
Not only has Lauren Jackson been a great role model for young ladies on the court, but since 2011 she has been an advocate against domestic violence and equality for women worldwide with organizations such as Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia and YWCA Canberra.
Lauren Jackson’s number 15 jersey will hang in the rafters of Key Area next to the 2004 Western Conference Finals banner, the first player in franchise history to receive this honor.
When asked by The Hype Magazine, what was next for her? Lauren commented, “There’s a lot going on at the moment from my Ambassador roles, and helping my country Australia train for the Olympics in Rio.” A continual student of the game, Jackson also stated she will be covering some of Team USA’s basketball games before the Olympics.
Current Storms Head Coach Jenny Boucek after the Mystic’s game stated she and Lauren are in constant contact and are discussing what the retired superstar wants to do next in her career. Despite her Australian roots, Coach Boucek made it clear, she’d love for the former Storm standout to include the Emerald City in her future plans. “I personal really would love to have her around,” Boucek said. “I don’t know what exactly she is going to do, but I hope it has something to do here in Seattle.
During the Storm’s route of the Mystics, the “Gold Mamba” Jewell Loyd scored 26 points and rookie Breanna Stewart (2016 number one pick) added 10 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Photos by Seattle Storm and Neil Enns
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About the Author
Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.
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