Lauren Jackson - Best in the World ?

[Donny]

Lauren best in world
By Grantley Bernard
September 16, 2003

THE engraving on the trophy does not say so, but the WNBA Most Valuable Player award has anointed Lauren Jackson as the world's No.1.

The Opals centre dominated the WNBA season with the Seattle Storm and that was reflected in the MVP voting, which carries the unofficial title of world's best female basketballer.

"That's what it is," Storm and Opals teammate Sandy Brondello said yesterday. "She's a freak, put it that way. She had a big season. She gets fired up and she's a warrior.

"She's only 22 and this is a big achievement."

It is a massive achievement when you consider the Albury native has topped the Americans, including her arch rival Lisa Leslie, in their own backyard to become the first foreigner to win the MVP.

The award further entrenches Australia's standing in world basketball, and also sends a message that Americans don't need to be bowed to on the court.

"Now that Lauren has done this, she is the best export of basketball we've ever had," former Opals captain Michele Timms said. "It's phenomenal when you think about it. It's great. It's huge news.

"This is the best thing that ever happened to Australian basketball. Not only Australian basketball, but in every country in the world to show what you can do against the Americans."

After leading the WNBA in scoring this season with 21.2 points a game, Jackson won the MVP by polling 406 votes, well ahead of Tamika Catchings (242) and Leslie (218).

Leslie missed 11 games of the 33-game season with injury.

Jackson, presented with the trophy yesterday before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals in Detroit, also picked up $38,000 and a Chevrolet Trailblazer.

"Getting MVP was one of my goals," Jackson said on WNBA.com. "But my biggest goal was to make the playoffs and win a championship.

"But we didn't accomplish that (so) I'll deal with the MVP and that's fine."

While nobody is surprised she has a WNBA MVP on her long list of achievements, which includes an Olympic silver medal, few believed she would win it so soon.

The No. 1 draft pick in 2001, Jackson won the award in only her third WNBA season and some critics believed she should not have been so strongly considered because the Storm did not make the playoffs.

It was a season that not only underlined Jackson's talent, but her determination and attitude to prove people wrong and defy the odds.

AIS women's head coach Phil Brown invited a skinny 13-year-old Jackson to a junior national team training camp on spec and she made the team with the 16 and 17-year-olds.

Brown coached Jackson as she led a teenage AIS team to the WNBL championship in 1999, capping her time at the AIS, which she entered as a 190cm girl and left as a 195cm woman already dominant in the WNBL.

"She gets that white-line fever," Brown said. "When she gets her mind on something, she gets fiery eyes and so focused and she's such a great competitor.

"I thought at 26-28 she'd get to the point where she'd win the MVP of the WNBA. It's a pretty special achievement to do at 22."

With the age factor comes the possibility Jackson could rule the basketball world for another 10 years, as long as she keeps improving. The consensus is she will.

But Brown is determined to keep nudging her forward.

While with the Opals in China last year, Brown mentioned to Jackson he didn't see her use her left hand much.

During a warm-up on the same tour, Jackson called out to Brown, asking if he'd been watching her. He had.

"She was going left," Brown said. "She was determined to prove me wrong.

"Lauren could sit back and cruise and go to the Olympics and make a lot of money, but I'm always giving her hints that she can get better.

"She's 22. At 28-30, if she looks after her body, she should be at her best."

[gobbles21]

I think she is going to be an absolute superstar. She already is! The youngest player ever to win the MVP, and has a fantastic future ahead of her.

I think she is the best in the world. Winning the MVP (easily) in the No.1 womens basketball league in the world, says that she has to be very close to being the best.

[commonwombat]

To be honest she's been in the elite handful since 98 W.Champs where she stole the show. Saw all the Opals matches at Olys and it was her and Leslie who were the top individuals. It is amazing to see someone of her age dominant but then again she's been playing at senior level since the mid 90's and give it credit, our WNBL is a tough school. Given luck with injuries and keeping a good head on her shoulders she'll be a factor for the rest of this decade. How many centres do you see with her outside game and mobility of a small forward?? Go Lozz!!!!

[supa-gal]

Definite superstar... it's about time an Australian basketballer, male or female, stepped up - so to speak - and got themselves recognised globally.

[Greg J]

Yes.

As an aside. On the Panel last night they said that as the world number one female professional basketball player, she could expect to earn $400,000 this year. This is in comparison to the number one male professional basketball player, who could expect to earn $60m, in the same period.

[supa-gal]