ESPN

Moderator

  (2:53 PM)

Lauren's here a little early, so we're going to get started!

KimArt (PA)

Who do you think will win it all this year?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:54 PM)

Sacramento will win it this year. They've got a lot of depth, lots of players to guard Lisa. And if they can take her out of the game, they can beat the rest of the team.

Ivory(GA)

Hey Lauren, Are you and Sheryl Swoopes good friends? And have Sheryl gave you any kind of advice on the court or off the court?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:55 PM)

Sheryl and I are good friends. She is someone I can always call when I need to talk about basketball or whatever. She's a legend.

Scott Larson (Portland, OR)

Which is your preferred nickname. Fans refer to you as LJ, Loz, Lozza and LoJack (and probably others)??

Lauren Jackson

  (2:56 PM)

LJ in America and Loz in Australia.

Shawn Garrett, Seattle, WA

Lauren,You're such a great player and you remain so humble, I admire you for that.My question, where do you see yourself after basketball runs it course?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:57 PM)

Stay involved in basketball, whether through coaching or media.

Anth (CA)

hi lauren im a big fan!i was just wondering if you can dunk?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:58 PM)

I can on a good day, but I'm not one to show off, so I wouldn't go out of my way to do it.

David (Brisbane)

Lauren, you are such a great representative of Australia! Are you looking forward to representing your country in the Olympics next year?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:59 PM)

Yeah, definitely. That's where my heart lies. We want to win a gold medal as fast as we can, but that means we have to knock off the Yanks. It'll be interesting.

Tucson, AZ

USA mens basketball look beatable by good foreign teams. Does the US Womens team look beatable?

Lauren Jackson

  (2:59 PM)

They've never looked beatable from an international perspective. But playing over here makes me realize they are. We just have to believe.

Angela Harris(Werribee, victoria

L.J., How are you going to work out the system of playing in the WNBA and playing for the Opals in the Olympics? Are you going to play in the WNBL again?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:00 PM)

I'll be able to play in all three next year.

Seattle

I was just curious, does anybody on the team have any weird superstitions?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:01 PM)

Not that I can think of. Everyone stands in the same positions at team meeting, that kind of normal stuff. But that's about it.

Becky (Seattle, WA)

As a longtime resident of Western Washington, as well as a die-hard Storm fan, I'm estatic to hear how much you are enjoying Seattle. What's your favorite thing about this place?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:02 PM)

The people. The more that I get to know them, the easier it is. Seattle is just a beautiful city, and it's comfortable for me to live there.

Maria - Cali

Hey Lauren, what type of music do you listen to? Any Hip Hop?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:03 PM)

Everything besides hip-hop and country. Right now I've got Sarah McLachlan in the cd player.

b davis, Sac, CA

Hi Lauren, who are the players you enjoy watching play the game and who has inspired you most?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:04 PM)

Wilt Chamberlain was my hero, if that's a start. Female players that have inspired me include my mother. Michelle Timms, Robin Maher, Australian players. We didn't really get to see many American women when I was growing up.

Welsh, LA

In the off season what kind of things do u do to make your game better? Can u tell me a few things that I could do to make my game better?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:05 PM)

Constantly go over the same stuff, trying to do everything I can to get better.

David, OR

I think you are amazing!!! You were by far the best player in the league this year and I know you will get the MVP. How has Anne Donovan helped your game?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:06 PM)

Anne is the best coach I've ever had. She got out and did practice sessions after practice. Working on my inside game, she gave me so much help in playing the way I want to. She's just a legend.

Tucson, AZ

Hi Lauren, what type of player does the Storm need to be at the top of the Western Conference?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:08 PM)

We'd love a Diana Taurasi type, obviously. We just need to work with the people already here and we'll be fine. We had so many injuries, or else we would have been fine.

KimArt (PA)

Lauren, you had an awesome season and the future of Seattle is bright. What's is like living in constant Summer? (in Seattle and Aus.)What's it like having a coach taller than you?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:09 PM)

BEAUTIFUL! It's awesome. I love to surf, so when I go home, I just surf all the time. Over here, I'm playing all the time, but it's still beautiful.

Dan - Sandwich, MA

Hi Lauren - sorry that the Storm were unable to make the postseason, but I am sure you will be back next year. Wondering if you plan to be glued to the TV for the playoffs? If you will be, what can we find you having for snacks during the games? Thanks, and best wishes to you in the future.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:10 PM)

Yes, I will be glued to the tv during the playoffs, especially the Western Conf. And I'll be eating sour worms and drinking pink lemonade.

Taholah, Wa

LJ, I just wanted to say congrats on the AWESOME year!!!! Playoffs or not, I believe you deserve MVP.I live 3 hours from Seattle and I have season tix, thanks for making every game memorable for us, especially the 20/20 game, THAT WAS TIGHT!!!My question is, do you think we will have eveyone back with Seattle next year?I REALLY hope so, especially Sandy, Tully and of course you.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:10 PM)

I think everyone will be back next season, it looks that way right now.

carol, Seattle

Will you be going to any of the playoff games? When do you leave for Australia? Can't wait until next year - go Storm! Hurry back, OK?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:11 PM)

I'll be going to some playoff games. It depends on what my schedule is. I'll be hanging out with some friends in America before going home in about two weeks.

Seattle, Washington

Hi Lauren! What's it like having Sue as a teemate?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:12 PM)

Awesome, obviously we have a great connection and play really well together. The longer we play together, the better we'll be. We're basically growing up together.

clay, san franciso

LJ, what kind of surfing do you do ???

Lauren Jackson

  (3:13 PM)

Long board. My favorite place to surf in Australia is the south coast.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:14 PM)

If I couldn't vote for myself, probably Sheryl Swoopes. Houston made the playoffs, but they wouldn't be there without Sheryl. Katie Smith from Minnesota is another great candidate.

Brady (Spokane, WA)

Hi Lauren,I was wondering who are the WNBA players that you respect the most? Thanks, and I hope you have a great offseason this year.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:16 PM)

Yolanda Griffith from Sacramento, Teresa Weatherspoon from New York, Tina Thompson and Sheryl from Houston. Those are the ones that come to mind because they're real, but there are at least 20 others I could name as well.

Monkey (Los Angeles)

I might live in LA, but I'm a Storm fan. Lauren, how do you think the Canberra Capitals will do this year? And, if we travel to Australia, will we be able to get tickets?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:17 PM)

Hell yeah, $8 tickets! We'll probably be able to finish in the top three this season. (Moderator: She's being modest, they've won the title four years in a row).

chris, chicago

Do you practice a lot with male players, and do you think that's a good way to improve in the women's game?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:18 PM)

We train against men in Seattle, and I guess it makes us stronger. But it's also frustrating.

Edson, Sacramento

How do you get get pumped up for a game?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:19 PM)

Listen to hardcore alternative. Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, a little bit of everything. Other games I'll listen to Ani DiFranco, it just depends on the mood I'm in.

Helen, Seattle

How do you see your improved inside game skills of tis year helping you with your teams in Australia? Will you be playing any differently with your Aussie mates than how you played in Seattle this year?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:21 PM)

It'll be interesting to see if I'm able to dominate, because I'm so much taller than everyone else. The next-tallest player probably comes up to my shoulder.

Caitlin Tacoma Washington

Hey, LJ great Season. How does it make you feel when you know that millions of little girls look up to you and think " I want to be just like her when I grow up?"I miss you already..can't wait till next season.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:22 PM)

I was a little bit of handful, so I feel for their parents. I do my best to be a good role model. I won't do anything that could potentially lead children astray. But I'm only human.

Uli, Santa Maria

What's your favorite Ani DiFranco album? and make sure you see her in concert, she's great.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:22 PM)

To the Teeth

pat, Tacoma

What was your favorite game this past season, and why?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:23 PM)

When we beat LA by about a million points.

Brady (Spokane, WA)

Hi Lauren,How important was it for you to have Sandy Brondello and Tully Bevilaqua on the team this year? Were they instrumental in you growing more comfortable in Seattle this year? I had the privilege of meeting all three of you in Seattle the day after the Minnesota game, and it really seemed like all three of you are very close. Thanks again.

Lauren Jackson

  (3:24 PM)

I was already comfortable in Seattle, but it's always great to have some of your closest friends around. Just makes it easier.

hinkey, portland

what's your favorite american food?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:25 PM)

Bagels and cream cheese, those aren't really traditional in Australia. From home, I miss our breads. We have beautiful breads.

Scott (Seattle)

It looked like you may have hurt your shoulder in the Houston game and jammed a finger in the Sacramento game to end the season. Anything serious?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:27 PM)

It was the shoulder I had surgery on three years ago, so it's just one of those things where you want to protect it. I'd be pretty upset if anything happened to it again. But it wasn't serious this time.

Uli, Santa Maria

What are the drawbacks to being a superstar?

Lauren Jackson

  (3:28 PM)

I don't get to go out much, at least not at nights to clubs. I go shopping all the time.

Sonia(Los Angeles .CA)

Hey,Lauren!Which team do you think will win the first round between sparks and Lynx?Thanks. GOOD LUCK!!!

Lauren Jackson

  (3:29 PM)

I think it's going to be an LA thing. I reckon it'll be a sweep, but a close sweep. Not a blowout. Thanks for all the questions, thanks for supporting me this season. I really appreciate it.