No playoffs, but Jackson can hoist MVP trophy

Plaster an "is" across those "LJ for MVP" T-shirts.

A three-time All-Star, Storm forward Lauren Jackson elevated her status yesterday by being named the 2003 WNBA Most Valuable Player. A native Australian, Jackson, 22, is the youngest and first international player to win the award.

Seattle fans, who in August turned their campaign into a T-shirt brigade for Jackson to win, watched her wave from her new, black Chevrolet TrailBlazer and accept the "heavy" MVP trophy at halftime of the WNBA Finals on national television yesterday.

Jackson also was awarded $25,000.

"I'd trade it all to be playing in this game," Jackson said.

The Storm (18-16) was bumped from postseason contention with two games remaining in the regular season. Many, including Storm coach Anne Donovan, thought that might hurt the 6-foot-5 forward's chances of winning.

The previous six WNBA MVPs led their respective teams to the playoffs. And in other professional sports, the NBA has had only one nonplayoff MVP (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) in 38 years and the NFL has had three. It happened most recently in baseball in 2001 when Barry Bonds was named National League MVP despite the San Francisco Giants not reaching the postseason.

The panel of 54 media members who select the WNBA award overlooked that the Storm didn't make the playoffs. Jackson's breakout season, including leading the league in scoring (21.2) and recording seven consecutive double-doubles, overrode Seattle not making the postseason due to injuries to starters Adia Barnes and Kamila Vodichkova.

"Jackson received 406 points and 23 of a possible 54 first-place votes. Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings, whose team also didn't advance, was second with 242 points. Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie, the WNBA marketing MVP, was third with 218 points. Minnesota Lynx forward Katie Smith (173) and Detroit Shock forward Swin Cash (160) rounded out the top five.

Jackson is the third Seattle pro athlete to win an MVP award, joining the Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. (1997 American League MVP) and Ichiro (2001 AL MVP).

Seattle fans can celebrate Jackson's achievement with her tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Jillian's on Westlake. The deciding Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, Los Angeles at Detroit, also will be aired.

"Lauren winning MVP brings a lot to Seattle and the Storm organization," Donovan said. "It's amazing that she is only 22 years old and has already accomplished so much."

Another accomplishment announced yesterday was the all-WNBA first and second teams, which Jackson also led in voting. She was named to the first team, for the first time, with 256 points, while teammate Sue Bird made the team for the second consecutive season with 164 points. Catchings (234), Leslie (223), and Smith (229) completed the first team.

Rookie of the Year Cheryl Ford of Detroit was named to the second team with 56 points along with teammates Cash (142) and Deanna Nolan (63). Houston forward Sheryl Swoopes (160) and L.A. guard Nikki Teasley (145) completed the second team.

Jackson's postseason earnings from awards totaled $47,500 — about half of her contract this season. Asked about her plans for the loot, Jackson wasted no time in responding.

"My house!" she said of her new condo in Queen Anne. "When I get back (today) I'm going to go home shopping.

"I never thought this would happen. Personally, this is a great achievement for me."

Jackson, who became the youngest player to score 1,500 points and fourth to record a 20-20 (points-rebounds) game, is part of the youth movement in the league.

Eastern Conference champion Detroit, the youngest team in the WNBA, beat the veteran L.A. Sparks 62-61 yesterday, and only three players from the 2000 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic team were named to the all-league teams. The entire Olympic squad, including 38-year-old Teresa Edwards, was represented in the league at some point during the season.

The remaining players on the all-WNBA team aren't even 25.

Coaching is a major reason behind talented young players making an impact. Jackson attributes the one-on-one sessions with Donovan for improving her game.

"(Anne) really took an interest in my game," Jackson said. "I don't think I'd be here without her."

Jackson actually knew she won the award when the Storm's season ended Aug. 25 and opted not to tell anybody except Donovan.

Jackson will return to Australia on Wednesday. Her season with the Canberra Capitals opens Oct. 4. As of yesterday, she was certain she'd return for the full 2004 WNBA season despite the Olympics in August. The league is expected to suspend play for the Games.

"This isn't the best (Jackson) can do," Phoenix assistant Carrie Graf said earlier this season. She has coached Jackson in Australia and Seattle. "Everyone has been talking about her being a phenomenal player since she was 16. Her game is just going to continue to get better."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com