Storm's probable starters

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Height: 6-4. Weight: 185.

Age: 31, born Dec. 19, 1972 in Litomerice, Czech Republic.

College: Charles University.

Hometown: Litomerice, Czech Republic.

Acquired: Drafted ninth overall by Storm in 2000.

Game time: Vodichkova is the cog that keeps the Storm together. Healthy after missing the final six games with a strained left foot last season, Vodichkova is fresh off a championship season overseas and ready to be a steady force in Seattle. She had improved every season, averaging a career-best 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last summer. A Storm original, she has an uncanny understanding of the game and can make passes like a guard. But look for Vodichkova to take more abuse inside and not get any help from officials.

Team chef: She didn't do her best job in the kitchen last season, but Vodichkova is known for whipping up unique dishes for teammates when they have team dinners. While playing in Russia this offseason she learned how to make a creamy soup with red beans, chicken, potatoes and carrots topped with sour cream. "It's tasty and delicious," she said.

AKA: Vodka.

Lauren Jackson

Height: 6-5. Weight: 187.

Age: 23, born May 11, 1981 in Albury, Australia.

College: La Trobe University.

Hometown: Canberra, Australia.

Acquired: Drafted No. 1 overall by Seattle in 2001.

Game time: Jackson is hampered by stress fractures in her shins and a nagging pulled right groin, but playing is her antidote. She's determined to retain her MVP title and wants to snag a WNBA title, too. She has scored in double figures in 53 consecutive games, which is third all-time in the league, and just one game behind Los Angeles' Lisa Leslie. Jackson added to her game by going to her left with confidence. Jackson averaged a league-leading 21.2 points and 9.3 rebounds last summer.

Kaleidoscope: Quick. What color was Jackson's hair her rookie season? It was auburn, and you could paint the world with all the phases she's gone through with her hairstyles and dress since. "I feel like a kid again now that I have my own place," she said, talking about how liberating buying property in Seattle has been. "I can finally do whatever I want. And I'm sort of eclectic. I like a bit of everything."

AKA: LJ.

Sheri Sam

Height: 6-0. Weight: 160.

Age: 30, born May 5, 1974 in Lafayette, La.

College: Vanderbilt, 1996.

Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

Acquired: By trade this spring with C Janell Burse for F Amanda Lassiter and a 2004 draft pick.

Game time: Seattle hasn't seen a small forward fill a stat book the way Sam will. She was adequate offensively in the exhibition games, averaging 6.7 points, but she also averaged 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 steals. Sam also is capable of moving to shooting guard. In her sixth season, Sam will be the Storm's X-factor. Her best season was in 2002 in Miami when she averaged 14.5 points and 4.8 rebounds, and was an All-Star.

Musically inclined: Whether it's rap or a little Bob Marley, Sam bobs her head to music to get psyched up for games. "It gets me in the mood," she said. Sam also is a big fan of musicals, choosing "Grease 2" as her all-time favorite. Michelle Pfeiffer's "Cool Rider" solo is her favorite track.

AKA: Ree.

Sue Bird

Height: 5-9. Weight: 150.

Age: 23, born Oct. 16, 1980 in Syosset, N.Y.

College: Connecticut, 2002.

Hometown: New York/Seattle.

Acquired: Drafted No. 1 overall by Seattle in 2002.

Game time: Healthy after successful left knee surgery, Bird will be an improvement on the player she was her rookie season, not last year's version when she averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 assists. This season, Bird works with three starters who have been All-Stars at some point in their careers, and an underrated center. Look for her assists to increase and for Bird to score herself.

Pop culture: She may have the glittery name, but Bird is just like any other 23-year-old. To pass time in airports she can be spotted reading "Us Weekly" magazine, and she's a "Real World" addict. She can also give you the lowdown on "The Bachelor," but that's only because she dated and remains friends with Jesse Palmer. "It's strictly for entertainment purposes," she said. And what about her own superstar life? "It's not that interesting," she said.

AKA: Birdy.

Betty Lennox

Height: 5-8. Weight: 143.

Age: 27, born Dec. 4, 1976 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

College: Louisiana Tech, 2000.

Hometown: Independence, Mo.

Acquired: Drafted sixth overall in 2004 dispersal draft.

Game time: Lennox had one of the worst preseasons in the team's three exhibition games and if the superstitions of showbiz are true, she's due for an electric year. Entering her fifth season, the Storm is still trying to figure out how to utilize Lennox's explosiveness, but no Storm player plays with more grit. Lennox was told to focus on rebounding. She hopes to play like she did as rookie of the year, when she averaged 16.9 points and 5.5 rebounds for Minnesota before undergoing hip surgery. She dedicated this season to her deceased nephew.

Gym rat: If you spot Lennox squinting on the street, that's because she's not used to natural light. A noted gym rat, Lennox enjoys lifting and shooting. So who has the best gym? She says Miami and Los Angeles. "I like a soft court and nice rims," she said. "That and a weight room with all the latest equipment and I'm happy."

AKA: B-Money.