LaurenJackson.org

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2006

LJ on 2006 - "It's going to be a big year for me so I really need to be smart about how I approach my comeback and then how I train throughout the year."

LJ on the 2005/06 WNBL season - "We want the title and I don't want to go back to America without a WNBL crown."

LJ on returning from injury - "I feel pretty good, I feel pretty confident, I know that I can play so it's just a matter of getting out there and not being wary of my leg."

LJ on her younger days - "Honestly, I was a gawky looking kid. So at school and around people I had no confidence. But, as soon as I stepped over that white line and on to that basketball court I was the most confident little shit out there - and I don't use those words lightly, I was terrible - the worst in the world."

LJ on herself - "I definitely aspire to be the best ever - definitely - and that's been my goal since I was, well, born. But I don't think I'm there yet. I truly feel that I can get much better and improve my game so much."

LJ on being the MVP of the WNBL's first 25 seasons - "Yeah, I know about that, and I appreciate that, and it's a huge honour and everything else, but I don't think I'll feel satisfied until I feel like I'ved achieved everything I want to achieve. I don't want to have any regrets when I'm finally done and it's time to retire."

LJ on wanting a gold medal - "That's what I'm waiting for. I'm waiting for it right now. I'm waiting for the right time and I think Beijing is it."

LJ on being a role model - "I'm very aware that I have younger kids looking up to me because ten years ago that was me doing that, but I just live my life the way I do. I haven't changed anything about the way I am. I just play basketball and I do what I do, you know? I don't even know how to be a role model, really."

LJ on losing - "I'm the worst person in the world. Talk about white line fever. I'm just a very desperate basketball player. I hate losing. I'm the worst loser in the world. It's very nasty. If I'm having fun I try not to get like that."

LJ on her family - "I have a wonderful, wonderful family. I'm very fortunate to have them."

LJ on the WNBA/NBA salary differences - "It's only annoying when I compare myself to Andrew Bogut. I went number one pick and I got a first year contract for $US50,000. He goes number one and gets how many million?"

LJ on her goals - "After my ankle reconstruction last year I realised that this is what I want to do. I mean, I always knew that I wanted to be a basketballer, but now I'm looking for the satisfaction of knowing that I have done everything I possibly can to be the best that I can be. That's pretty much where I am now; focusing on my goals."

LJ on having any other job in basketball besides playing - "Donna's job. I would definitely want hers."

LJ on Canberra - "To be totally honest with you, I don't think people really understand how much friendship, family and just being in this city means to me. I feel I owe Canberra a lot ... I've been here for seven years now and I'd love to win for Canberra itself. There's a lot here - my friends, my family and people who have put a lot of energy into me. This championship would mean so, so much to me. It would be very special."

LJ on deciding to play in Europe/Asia instead of the WNBL - "This has been the toughest decision of my life and I mean that."

LJ on her plans to play overseas year round - "I'm finishing my career in Canberra. I might go away, but I'll be back, I promise."

LJ to little diver Melissa Wu being nervous about the Comm Games - "Well, don't be. There's plenty of us oldies around to help."

LJ on playing in Korea instead of the WNBL - "It's not the end for the Caps though, like I said before, I'll definitely come back."

LJ on playing in Korea instead of the WNBL - "I'm still going to be in Canberra supporting the girls and stuff for half a season and try and give as much as I can."

LJ on playing in Korea instead of the WNBL - "Looking forward to having that time where I can just look after my body and not be injured all the time and it gives me an opportunity to get back to Canberra and work with the guys at the AIS."

LJ on playing in Korea instead of the WNBL - "There's a lot going through my head ... I'm just trying to get through this week and not being too emotional."

LJ on playing in Korea instead of the WNBL - "I'm sure you guys will find yourself another hero (laughs)... it's been a pleasure, an absolute pleasure just being here."

LJ on wanting to set up a women's refuge - "I want to to be involved, whether that's owning it myself or working with the people and doing what I can. I don't think too many people know that. I've seen a lot of people go through things and I'd love to help out."

LJ on what she does - "I want to be the best. I think that drives me."

LJ on how she'll know she's the best - "I'll be satisfied. Then I won't mind retiring. I've been more focused this year than I have in a long time. This year could be one of my best years. I'm aiming for that."

LJ on herself - "I'd say I'm pretty independent. I like to be at home. I like to be in my own company, a lot. I find that very calming. There comes a time when you say, 'Stop', and for a week or two days I'll just turn my phone off and go, 'This is it. Enjoy it'."

LJ on her family - "I'm an extension of my mother and what I do she does and what she does, I do. Dad, too. I truly believe that what they missed out on in their careers, they can do it with me. My mum and dad are so passionate about the sport. It's awesome.

LJ on her family - "My mum and I have got this absolutely ridiculous sense of humour (and) I don't think I laugh any more around anyone than I do with my mum. We laugh at the most ridiculous things. Crying, too. Nobody makes me cry like her. Or Dad as well. Or my brother (Ross). He makes me cry."

LJ on Russia trying to lure her away from the Comm Games - "There was stupid money [being offered] in Russia. Of course I was [tempted to go overseas], but at the end of the day some things are more important."

LJ on the Comm Games - "For me, I grew up playing in Geelong, in Bendigo, in country Victoria, I've played here all my life so to be able to come here and compete is pretty awesome ... My family is all here and I couldn't imagine not being here. The atmosphere is unbelievable ... The opening ceremony was fantastic, I'll never forget that one for the rest of my life."

LJ on no TV coverage for the OWC - "If it was the men playing the USA they'd be on television for sure, but in women's basketball it doesn't get any better than this. We are the top two women's teams in the world. The TV networks are crazy not to get behind this series."

LJ on playing in the Comm Games - "I feel really proud to be Australian and be representing Australia in front of Australia like we are."

LJ on playing for Albury/Wodonga - "I don't know if anything can compare to winning a gold medal, but this was pretty special. To be able to come back and play in front of my home crowd, especially after something like that, is amazing. I love being back here."

LJ on epileptic Bandits teammate Kristy Harrington - "She's got a lot of heart. By playing with her tonight I saw she's not only got the game, but she's a fighter. She's such a passionate player and I'm so proud of her and all the Bandits."

LJ on winning gold at the Comm Games - "For us, it was good to win a gold medal but it would be a lot nicer to do it against America."

LJ on aiming for gold - "Beijing is very realistic. We definitely have to aim for a gold medal, nothing less. If we're ever going to do it, that will be it."

LJ on playing in the OWC - "I love Canberra. It's been a huge part of my life for so many years and to be able to play one last time here will be awesome."

LJ on being a Youth Week ambassador - "I think that my decision to be a part of this program was because of where I come from and my background. Coming from smaller communities, it's really difficult to become involved in youth programs, and also you don't know where to do it and where to start looking for them."

LJ on her shins - "I've suffered shin splints and stress fractures my whole career. They've not healed like I wanted them to, but we are managing them. My focus at the moment is to be fit for the worlds."

LJ on winning the last game at the OWC - "It's a great way for me to be able to thank Caps fans and the people who have supported me in Canberra. I've had the best years of my life here. I'm going to miss you guys."

LJ on the June 12 loss to Indiana - "I'd be stupid if I didn't say those two last fouls were just crap... I wanted to be out there. Even if I'm not scoring, I know I can contribute in other ways — getting the ball up the floor, rebounding or being intimidating inside. So, for them to punish me that way, it's just ridiculous. That's how it felt to me. I played like crap, and then you're going to foul me out? Awesome."

LJ on being named in the All-Decade team - "This is one of those points in a person's career where you've got to go, 'Wow, I'm being recognized for doing something that I love doing. My goals are finally being recognized by myself and others and it's pretty awesome.'"

LJ on being named in the All-Decade team - "I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Sue. She's just been so awesome to play with. I'm just so fortunate to be playing with her and that we both got to make it together. I'm so happy."

LJ on the June 15 win over Chicago - "When the opportunities come you have to take them and I haven't been getting many the last couple of games. Tonight I gave it my all, and I wanted to win bad, too."

LJ on the June 15 win over Chicago - "Now I go back to my bed and collapse."

LJ on the June 15 win over Chicago - "I was just waiting for the opportunities. The last couple of games, the looks haven't been there for me. I just waited and waited. I was in a funk like this last year as well. It's just a matter of time before I come out of it."

LJ on the June 15 win over Chicago - "I'm probably most proud of the blocks because I haven't been blocking that many people lately and the rebounds because I haven't had a double-double this year. Our focus has been defense and like I said in our last few games, if I don't score I don't care as long as we win."

LJ on being injured last year - "Basketball has given me some awesome opportunities, to travel the world, meet people, compete. … It's all I've ever done, it's who I am. It was scary to think about not having basketball anymore. I thought, 'What am I going to do?' It made me think beyond basketball."

LJ on self-management - "I'm taking better care of my body than I ever have before. In the past, I never had to worry about it, I could do what I wanted. But now I'm really working hard as far as eating right, sleeping. My body is my priority."

LJ on her mum - "She has always been there for me. My mum understands me as an athlete."

LJ on the June 23 win over San Antonio - "It feels awesome. We're just really happy we got that win. We really needed it."

LJ on the June 23 win over San Antonio - "I don't recall feeling this way this season, having a blowout win like that and everyone really stepping up. It was definitely really satisfying."

LJ on the June 23 win over San Antonio - "The fourth quarter just felt like fun. They were down by 23 and that's demoralising to be down that many points – we know, we've been there a couple of times this year. So the fourth quarter we just went out there and felt good."

LJ on her shins after a week with no games - "I think after a period of time, when I go and I go and I go and I don't stop, that's when they kind of flare up. Today I feel good."

LJ on her conditioning - "It's hard to get my breath, especially games like this where we haven't played for seven days. For the first five minutes, I'll be catching my wind. I can tell you I've done all the circuits in the world, I've done all the swimming in the world, I've done all the biking in the world."

LJ on the stationary bike - "I hate the bike. I hate the bike. I hate the bike. The pool's been a lot more fun."

LJ on being voted an All-Star starter - "As a foreigner, that's pretty awesome to be voted in by the fans. The American fan base has embraced me, and that's pretty cool."

LJ on her parents - "The thing about having athletes as parents, they definitely taught me about toughness. My mom in particular about strength."

LJ on her game - "I'm trying to be better, but without practice it's very difficult to work on my game. I'd like to say I've become a better player, but I really don't know. It's something I can't answer. It's tough ... but, you know, that's life. I have to keep my body from breaking."

LJ on her non-basketball plans - "I want to help people. There are a lot of things that I am interested in, like getting involved with Women's Refuge and helping domestic violence victims and rape victims."

LJ on her non-basketball plans - "I want to be involved in the community more than just basketball. Being an athlete is great, and we become role models, but I want to use that in ways that help and support women ... A lot of female issues are taboo and I would like to be a part of changing that."

LJ on Australia - "I miss everything and everyone. I miss the water, I miss the ocean, I miss Sydney, I miss Albury, I miss the way of life. It's ridiculous how much I miss it."

LJ on Burse getting injured after two minutes against Charlotte on July 20 - "I need her in the post with me. She takes heat off myself."

LJ on the mid-season distraction of the Oklahoma City buy-out - "That's definitely been a distraction for everybody on the team, but it doesn't affect the way we play. At the end of the day, we've got to be accountable for what we do and how we perform."

LJ after the July 25 win over Phoenix - "Honestly, I feel like my body at the moment is crap, so there's not much more I can do. I can be out there and be a presence and that's what I am trying to do."

LJ on the Storm's 4-game roadtrip in July - "After we lost to Charlotte, we could have died; that could have been it. But we didn't and we just came back out stronger and we know what we gotta do to get in the playoffs."

LJ on her team - "We have to handle adversity and we have to regroup as a team because we're good enough to win this thing, we've just got to believe it."

LJ on only wanting to play in Seattle - "I definitely would not want to play anywhere else but Seattle, and I've said that before and I'll make that statement right now."

LJ on Seattle - "I've grown up there, I really have. A lot has happened in the last six years in my life in Seattle, and I take some sort of ownership of this team in terms of being here a long time and growing up through the program with the people like Karen Bryant ... I'm really comfortable here and I'm comfortable with the people and I've been a big part of the team. Once I get settled, I'm settled in."

LJ on the team getting support at away game to keep them in Seattle - "It's overwhelming the support that us as a team, as a franchise has. Even though they're booing me when I run out there, they're not really. They're in support of what we're doing, and that's a reason to keep the team there. We're one of the cornerstone franchises."

LJ on finding out about the Storm/Sonics sale - "It was a bit surreal when we heard. It was out of the blue. It's definitely a distraction for us, no doubt. There's a lot of talk and rumors and gossip, and we probably know as much as anybody else."

LJ on trying to focus on basketball during the sale - "This is a distraction with the team being sold and the talk, but we had to focus on not giving in to all that stuff and just playing because ultimately this is what we do — play basketball whether it's in Seattle or anywhere else. I don't want it to be anywhere else."

LJ on Anne Donovan and the mounting injuries after the July 29 loss to Detroit - "As a coach, she's got one of the best teams on paper, but everyone is injured. And we're making this amazing run for the Finals right now and it's definitely frustrating for every single player and Anne right now. I feel sorry."

LJ on her plantar fasciitis injury - "Sometimes I wonder if I'm more a detriment out there because I can't do certain stuff that Anne wants me to do. I feel like I need some drugs and then I can be OK. It's hard at halftime when you come in and I can't do anything. That's the most frustrating thing about this injury, that it is debilitating."

LJ on her condition after the July 30 loss to LA - "I don't know what to say. It's just what it is. I think at the moment, too, because I've played all season like this, for me it's like, 'Well, whatever.' I'm sort of resigned to the fact that I'm injured and there's nothing I can do and I can't get frustrated anymore."

LJ on Alana Beard getting a tattoo in Oz - "She's a punk. She definitely was a baby, I was like, 'God, get over it, come on.' I didn't hold her hand, but I was definitely laughing at her a lot."

LJ on Alana Beard - "I definitely saw her come out of her shell a little bit in Australia, but it's easy to do there because it's so laid back. I think Tully, her and I are going to be really close for a really long time."

LJ on her court-time if the Storm make the playoffs - "I don't want any restrictions."

LJ on Jan Stirling and the controversial Aug 2 The Age article suggesting Donovan "could run Jackson into the ground"- "Jan is just trying to look out for me. I would never ever say that about Anne ever. She's been so good in controlling everything I do."

LJ on sitting out the last two regular season games - "I'm pretty much just resting my body. The pounding, it takes its toll, obviously. So I'm trying to not do anything and keep off my feet to get back to a regular Lauren Jackson by playoff time."

LJ on resting her injuries - "This is the smart thing to do right now. Toward the end of games I was starting to get so sore that it was hard to move."

LJ on herself and Janell Burse - "We're nothing alike. If we bought the same thing, we'd wear it totally differently. We have nothing in common."

LJ on playing through injury - "For me, I've played so many years with the same injuries that it becomes either you play or you don't play. You either handle a little pain or you don't handle it. So you do what you have to do to get through it."

LJ on pain - "You can't think about the pain. "You just go play and hope that it doesn't hurt so bad. I take Advil, a lot of Advil. I have a shin problem. All I can do is go out and play. I love the sport so much. Honestly, I feel like someday I'll be 38 like (Bill) Walton and I'll be saying, 'I can go another season.' I can't see me stopping playing. I think my body will stop me eventually. And I'm hoping that's when I'm 38."

LJ on competitive athletes like herself and Bill Walton - "We're a different breed. What goes through our head probably isn't what goes through normal people's heads. For me, I have to play. There's no ifs or buts about it. That's how I've always been with my injuries. There's just this weird drive inside of me.

LJ before the first round of the playoffs - "Lisa is going to get her 25-30 and I'm going to do what I do. It's how we can combat the other players on the team. We're always going to have great head-to-head battles, definitely, but if I have two points, I don't care. I just want to win."

LJ on Janell Burse after the Game 1 win over LA - "It was so nice to be able to play with her. They couldn't double-team me as much."

LJ on the prospect of having to play against Sue at Worlds - "It's bizarre playing against her because she's my partner in crime. Even in Athens and having to warm up with her down on the other end or setting a screen against her, it's like, 'Really?' It's hard, and we talked about that more than anything."

LJ on the 2006 season - "There's obviously some changes that need to be made. Everybody needs to be on the same page - coaches included."

LJ on her performance in the 2006 season - "I did everything I could."

LJ on the Opals' 49-56 exhibition loss to the US - "It was a bloody ugly game. My focus was pretty much trying to learn the plays and stuff. We've had one session where I've been on the court all year. I feel like I'm running around with my head cut off.

LJ before the World Championship Gold medal playoff - "Last night we just couldn't sleep. We've all got the same thing on our mind and it's just winning this thing. "It's a real possibility. If we do it, I'm sure we're going to turn a few heads back home."

LJ on the eve of the Gold medal playoff - "If we pull it off, it's without a doubt the highlight of my career. There's not even a question. I'm so nervous and it's so exciting."

LJ on Worlds MVP Penny Taylor - "Oh my god, she was just a stud. Penny is a superstar on a superstar team, in America with Phoenix, and she was just everything we needed to win the game. I'm so happy that she was there, obviously. I'm just so happy that we won."

LJ on playing and winning with the Opals at Worlds - "Getting back with my friends and getting back with the Australian people, and our way of living and smiling and laughing, it's so different from being in America, and for me it's so much better because I'm Australian. So, everything about this team makes this gold medal perfect."

LJ to Timmsy before winning Gold - "Mate, the time's now and this one's for you guys (past Opals)."

LJ after winning the Gold - "I'm euphoric right now. I can't believe it."

LJ on the impact of winning Gold - "When the women's hockey team won the impact was huge and hopefully we have the same impact for team sport in Australia... We're kind of known already, but this will definitely make people sit up."

LJ on the impact of winning Gold - "It is to be hoped the rest of Australia finally takes notice of the Opals. We've been the little sister for a long time, to a lot of other sports. But in what we achieved in Brazil on Sunday, we've made our own mark and that was exciting."

LJ on winning the Gold - "I really don't have the words to explain what winning the gold medal means. It is a dream come true. There were times when I wasn't sure if this would every happen. But it all fell into place in Sao Paolo. I guess it was our time. Coming home to this kind of reception feels fantastic. I'm just so proud to captain this team."

LJ on the Opals - "There was a lot going on in Australia when we came together. Steve Irwin passed away and soon after that it was Peter Brock, and it was, 'Oh my God, this is our country, these are our people'. I think that definitely factored into the way we all came together."

LJ on the impact Irwin and Brock had on the Opals - "It was just something about being Australian, about pride and the Australian passion. I can't pinpoint it, but once all that stuff happened it was definitely time for us to try and do something good."

LJ on winning Gold - "We have worked very hard for this for a long time. To actually be holding a gold medal now is just unbelievable."

LJ on winning Gold - "It is the best thing that has ever happened for women's basketball in Australia... We were standing on the gold medal podium and the Americans were getting the bronze medal, so it was nice."

LJ on the Opals dynamic - "It's fun to be hanging with some Aussies. We are all really good friends, a lot of us have grown up playing together... A lot of us come from the WNBA where it is very separate, people do their own thing... You come into a team where you are just friends with everybody, of course it is going to be a lot of fun."

LJ on possibly retiring after Beijing - "I'll face that bridge when I come to it; there's a little way to go. Beijing is very crucial to my career, so I'll see how it goes."

LJ on the Opals - "It's great to get recognised for it. It's always a goal, a number-one goal to win world championship gold. When it happens it's a pretty awesome feeling. We are a tight group, we have a lot of fun together."

LJ on her illness after Worlds - "I went to bed at about 8 o'clock on Tuesday night and four hours later I was doubled over in pain and vomiting full on... I couldn't stop throwing up between midnight and 4am, and Mum and Dad took me straight to hospital... It was just a shock to the system and not exactly the way I'd pictured myself celebrating a world championship gold medal."

LJ on her illness after Worlds - "I thought I would have been partying for a week, but instead my life has been in a bedroom trying to shake off the illness... It was a pretty intense come down after beating Russia.

LJ on winning Gold - "What we did in Brazil was, without a doubt, the pinnacle of my career and something I'll treasure for a lifetime."

LJ on winning Gold - "I may never achieve something like that again and to be captain of the team as well, it was just unbelievable."

LJ on basketball competing with other sports - "We get great support here and the reaction to our win has been phenomenal. But when you have AFL and NRL grand finals, it's hard to compete. But, hey, we'll take a world championship gold medal any day."

LJ to Erin Phillips on the dais - "I have been playing for over a decade and I have been waiting for this moment all my life."

LJ on the 2006 Opals - "They're the best team, I've been a part of."

LJ on the 2006 Opals - "I think aside from our great team chemistry and the fact we've got more than just one or two stars, I think fate was on our side this time ... Everything felt so good, we were comfortable, we were playing great basketball and it was just an awesome feeling ... There was just something eerily special about it, we felt it and it's just one of the best feelings in sport, that no one is going to beat you."

LJ on returning home - "It's just a great feeling and to be able to come back and share it with my family, the pride my family has in what I do is fantastic."

LJ on 2006 - "We've had just an unbelievable year with the Commonwealth Games, beating the US in Canberra, I had a fairly successful season in the US and then coming back and achieving what we did (in Brazil) is something I will never take for granted."

LJ on representing Australia - "I've thought about it a lot and playing for my country is definitely a priority... And throughout the past 10 years with the national team I've felt so much pride wearing the green and gold, and now to be able to captain that team, I take even more ownership of things."

LJ's speculative statement on playing for Sydney Uni - "I'd have Karen Dalton as coach and I'm studying applied social science by correspondence at the moment so if I come back (during the WNBA off-season) I could study at Sydney Uni. It would be part of my contract."

LJ on studies - "I've almost finished a business management diploma and I'm going to do an advanced diploma in social science. I'm 25 now, not 18 any more, and the reality is that'll be finished sooner rather than later."

LJ on playing in the NBL - "One day when I come back from the WNBA I'd love get out there. I think for a bit of fun, I'll sit on the bench, I'll go out there and shoot a few baskets. If any of the boys come anywhere near me I'll knee them where it hurts." (jokingly)

LJ on playing in Korea - "I want to play, I'm really looking forward to just playing."

LJ on the language barrier in Korea - "I just won't understand them - that's OK."

LJ on off-court interests - "My passion at the moment lies in (women's) refuge work, and I want to get people involved, and this is why I'm studying at the moment."

LJ on her post-World Champs goals - "Definitely a gold medal at Beijing, but I think also for me at the moment personal satisfaction, just knowing that I've got the best out of myself."

LJ on being ready for the Korean season - "Mentally, I actually feel like I'm refreshed. I think that's the most important thing for me. I feel so refreshed and motivated than what I have for a long time."

LJ reflecting on the Opals after a few months - "With the Opals, that far outweighs anything I've ever done. I feel like we really put the Opals on the map. It was amazing to win two gold medals in one year and that was maybe something I didn't think would ever happen. To do that, I'm just glad I was a part of it."

LJ on her future - "I'm going to be 26 and I never envisaged playing my career out in the US. My home is Australia and there's a lot more riding on me being in Australia than in America. I'm happy in Seattle, but if the team moves I don't see me as an Oklahoma person."

LJ on herself - "There's a lot of things I want to do and have got to do ... I just want to be as good as I can be. I am still not satisfied. I know I can be much better."

Sportsworld: LJ on being asked if she's an idol - "Mate I'm a basketballer, I just want to play basketball and that's about it."

Sportsworld: LJ on her goals - "I've got so much more to achieve, I'm not near as good as I want to be, I'll never be happy with what I've done, there's more that I can give to my sport and I can be so much better mate."

Sportsworld: LJ on her first WNBA season - "Ugh my God, that wasn't the best month of my life, it was a huge transitional period... I felt like I was doing it alone."

Sportsworld: LJ on the extreme highs and lows of 2004 - "I came home and spent a couple of days with nan before she died, but when she actually did pass away, it was right before the finals started and that was the last time I ever thought that 'this is it, I can't do it again', but y'know two weeks later we had a WNBA Championship and I definitely grew from it and I would never think of throwing in what I have now for the world because I would regret it."

Sportsworld: LJ on what she wants - "I just want to play basketball and do what I do. I mean I love this country and I would love to represent Australia in the best way possible and that's just what I do, just play."

Gary Jackson on his daughter - "Playing overseas is just a means to an end for her. If there's any possible way Lauren can stay in Australia, she will, trust me. She loves the green and gold but the bottom line at the moment is the big money is overseas and she needs to look out for herself."

Gary Jackson on LJ looking forward to playing for Albury - "She is, ever since Lauren left Albury in the early days, she always said she would like to play for Albury in the WNBL obviously we cant do that yet, but this is the next best thing."

Gary Jackson on the Lady Bandits SEABL debut - "Even the older players this morning were very nervous about playing with Lauren. But Lauren was also very nervous about playing tonight."

Sue Bird on having any other job in basketball besides playing - "I want to be the guy at Madison Square Garden who plays the organ. Or I would want to be an announcer so I could come up with cool ways to say 'LAAAAA-UUUUREN JACK-SONNN!' Our guy in Seattle does it really funny."

Sue Bird on the Jun 12 loss to Indiana - "But as far as Lauren, she picked up five and six so quick, it's almost like, 'What happened?' The last one they called was kind of a tough one to give someone their sixth foul on. I thought it was a good block. But when she leaves, it stinks because she's such a great player in crucial points of the game."

Sue Bird on being named in the All-Decade team - "I've had the opportunity to play with all the players I've played with on the Storm - obviously, especially Lauren. They've made me the player I am. They've gotten me to this point. I've always felt that way."

Sue Bird on winning without LJ on June 28 v LA - "We knew we were going to miss Lauren. She is a big part of what we do. Pretty much everything we do goes through Lauren. At the same time stuff like this happens, so you have to not worry about who is not here and do your job."

Sue Bird on LJ - "It's amazing. The things that impress me most about Lauren are, No. 1, that she never lets it get to her, she wants to be on that court so bad. But the other thing that impresses me the most is she doesn't practice. She works out, does non-impact things, cardio things. But to not practice?

Sue Bird on comparing her pain to LJ's - "One year I had a knee injury (in college at UConn) and by the time you get back to playing the game, you feel like a foreigner to it. But Lauren never does. Even when she doesn't practice, there's no rust. There's supposed to be rust. But for whatever reason -- mind over matter, call it what you want -- but there's no rust. You have to be pretty mentally tough to do that, along with just dealing with the injury itself."

Sue Bird on the Storm's injury situation in July - "You try not to think about who you don't have, but it's a lot easier said than done when you're missing four of your top players. You're taught not to make excuses, but at some point you gotta take a step back and look at it. It's a reality of our situation."

Sue Bird on LJ - "Lauren is, in my opinion, the MVP, simply because she's the only player I know in the league that gets double- and triple-teamed every night. Lisa's good, and I know she probably sees a lot of double-teams as well, but not as much as Lauren; there's no way. I know when we play them, we don't double her."

Sue Bird on LJ back after missing a couple of games - "It's always good to play with Lauren and to have her on the court, but it’s also very important for her to rest. She feels 110 times better just from taking those couple of days off, those couple of games off. Sometimes you need a mental rest as well, so for her it was a good combination to just relax and rest and now we’re ready to go. Now she's rested."

Sue Bird on Donovan's influence with LJ - "Before Anne got here, Lauren wasn't really down low that much. She posted up, obviously, but she wasn't as aggressive as she is now on the blocks. So it's really my first year (2002) compared to all the other years - that was the big difference. In that second year, you could immediately tell Anne's influence. Get the ball to Lauren on the block and let her work down there. Lauren accepted it, and now you see them going against each other a lot down low."

Anne Donovan on the lead up to the 06 season - "The first priority is Lauren. Even though I feel very confident that Lauren is happy in Seattle and a perfect match with Sue, that's our first priority."

Anne Donovan on LJ's injury during the WNBL season - "This injury, although really scary for her, I think it's taught her some good lessons."

Anne Donovan on the World Championships and WNBA affecting each other - "It scares me to think about Australia keeping their players at home, even if Lauren comes here. If they keep everybody else and train together, that's still an advantage they have over the USA."

Anne Donovan on coaching LJ, but also being US coach - "I tell you, Athens was interesting. I was doing the scouting report on Australia there, so that made it even more interesting. Watching, at that point, a 23-year-old Lauren Jackson, her focus was difficult for her. As for me, I'm giving a scouting report to the rest of the WNBA on how to defend Lauren Jackson. It is a little bit complicated. The bottom line, though, is that Lauren is as competitive as I am. When she puts on her Australian uniform and I put on my red, white and blue, we're both fighting for the same thing."

Anne Donovan on LJ - "As good as Lauren Jackson has been in Seattle, she has been even better in the international game."

Anne Donovan on thinking about Lauren on her team in Seattle instead of as opposition at the OWC - "That dawned on me once or twice in the game. It'll be nice to see her playing in Seattle again."

Anne Donovan on LJ after the OWC - "I think Lauren is the best player in the world. Lisa Leslie is certainly as good as Lauren is, so that's two of the best players in the world. When they get in the WNBA or internationally and that match-up happens, it's something to be seen.

Anne Donovan on LJ after the OWC - "Every year she gets better by leaps and bounds, not just in terms of her skill, but in terms of her maturity and her growth mentally on the floor. I think we've got a 24-year-old that's mighty special. Her work ethic just sets her apart from other players, because she works hard to get better, so every time I get my hands on her she's that much better than when she left."

Anne Donovan on how much better LJ can get - "It's a scary thought, just because her work ethic matches her competitiveness and her intensity and her skill."

Anne Donovan on the WNBA - "Everybody knows you don't get rich in the WNBA, but if you're very competitive and you want to increase your skill level and play against the best, that's where you go."

Anne Donovan on the upcoming WNBA season - "I feel really good about our chances this season. I'm really excited about that and, of course, Lauren leads the way for that."

Anne Donovan on LJ's first session at training camp - "She looked great when she was out there. She looked fantastic."

Anne Donovan on LJ after the May 25 win over Phoenix - "Lauren was a monster in there tonight."

Anne Donovan on LJ being the fastest and youngest to 3000 pts - "That's just another reflection of just how special Lauren is. She's one of the best, if not the best player in this league, and how fast she gets to 3,000 is another good determination of that."

Anne Donovan on LJ and Bird being named in the All-Decade team - "We talked about it as a group before practice started. This is something that's really special. I think they both recognize it - by the looks on their face, they recognize it. I want to make sure they know from me how proud I am of it, because, like I said, it's very, very special."

Anne Donovan on LJ and Bird being named in the All-Decade team - "Lauren's the first real versatile post player that we've seen... They have revolutionised their positions."

Anne Donovan to LJ at halftime of the June 15 game v Chicago on her slump - "The only person who can get you out of this is you."

Anne Donovan on LJ after the June 15 win over Chicago - "She was playing without a lot of confidence in the first half," Donovan said. "It was almost like she wasn't expecting her shots to go. And I thought in the second half she just made it all happen. She took the three-pointers with complete confidence and knocked them down. She was just shaken like anybody is that goes through a slump. Every player goes through it, but Lauren Jackson. Nobody can stop Lauren Jackson except for Lauren Jackson."

Anne Donovan on the July 14 win over New York - "Lauren really plays very, very hard. And I think in times when we tend to lose our focus we need to lean on her and how hard she plays. I think we did that tonight."

Anne Donovan on Aussie reporter insinuating she could run LJ into the ground - "I really don't have anything nice to say so I'm not going to say anything."

Anne Donovan on LJ - "We've seen a different Lauren Jackson this year because of her injuries. What you're still seeing is one of the best players in the league, in limited minutes, accomplishing the same thing she's always accomplished."

Anne Donovan on resting LJ for the last two regular season games - "Lauren is a player that really needs the rest. Her foot has been flaring up big-time as of late, so from a mental standpoint she's been dealing with a lot. This rest will be good for her."

Anne Donovan on LJ and the team- "LJ's value to this team has never been in question. Every time we don't step up without her, it just proves more and more how valuable she is."

Anne Donovan on the LJ v LL matchup - "It's like prizefighters, honestly."

Anne Donovan on the LJ v LL matchup - "Lauren and I have spent so much time talking about this matchup through the years that ... Lauren's there. She doesn't need to draw on anything. She's there. She doesn't talk about it anymore, but it used to be, 'One of these days I'm going to win that matchup, that battle. One of these days I'm going to get the best of Lisa.' She doesn't talk about that anymore because that's happened. I think it speaks to her evolution in that matchup and personally, her own game."

Alana Beard on Korea - "The culture [in Korea] is unbelievable, they treat you like you're the Queen of England, it's really amazing, and the competition is a good, tough competition."

Alana Beard on Australia - "Even though I was the only black speck walking around, it was so much fun. Australia was really good for me. It was freedom over there, no criticism or nothing. It was turning point in finding a balance in my life. It showed me that basketball isn't everything. I heard Lauren during an interview one time tell a reporter in Australia that basketball was 'leisure' and a light bulb went off in my head. It's leisure. This is what it is. I don't do it because I have to; I do it because I love it."

Alana Beard on basketball - "Before I loved it the wrong way. I was way too serious ... I loved it too much, I loved it too hard and I loved it the wrong way."

Alana Beard on getting a tatto with LJ and Tully - "Lauren's a pro, but it took Tully and I two weeks to decide the exact one that we wanted. I was the only one crying."

Carrie Graf on LJ's competitive drive - "It's one of the many things that make her such a great player; she is internally motived... I've said it time and time again, in a positive light, she's got great bitch in her."

Carrie Graf on LJ - "I think Lauren is extremely loyal. I think she takes a long time to trust people but when she does she's on your team for life. What you see on the court is not the Lauren Jackson you get off the court."

Carrie Graf on LJ - "In a lot of ways she's epitomised what the WNBL is all about. It's about home grown, it's about playing in a town that becomes home, it's about passion and determination and a never-say-die attitude.

Carrie Graf on LJ after the Grand Final - "On top of all that, she's the greatest female basketballer we've ever produced and probably ever will."

Carrie Graf on the Caps trying to recruit - "For us it's not about replacing LJ. There isn't another Lauren Jackson."

Carrie Graf hyping the Bird/Taurasi dream - "They told me they don't bullshit and that they were serious and that if we would have them, they wanted to come out and play. It's got legs. It's serious, it's full-on happening at this stage."

Phil Brown on LJ - "She was already six foot three-and-a- half [inches tall, 191cm]. She was skinny and scrawny but such a competitor. She had the passion and the culture for the game and they are things that are so hard to teach to the regular player. With her initial talent I was very keen to get her into the AIS to develop those skills that would and did lay the foundation for her professional career."

Phil Brown on LJ - "She is the best player I've seen."

Tami Willey on LJ after the Jan 21 game - "At first I was very happy she was quite unfit. The more she played, the more she scared me."

Jenny Whittle on LJ after the Grand Final - "Oh, my God, she's been awesome. She's a great mate and I just love her. She's grown so much since the last time I played with her. She's such a leader now. She's the best in the world."

Jenny Whittle on losing the 98/99 title to LJ and the AIS - "After we lost that game it was like if you can't beat her, join her. So I've been on her team (almost) ever since."

Bandits coach Ray Tomlinson on LJ - "I'm really pleased to get another opportunity to coach Lauren simply because she's always been not only an outstanding player but she's an excellent person as well. I remember coaching her when she was a 15-year-old in the under-20s and you could see the talent and drive and determination to be the world's best."

WNBL GM Lorraine Landon on LJ - "Lauren's made an amazing contribution to the league and we definitely missed her last season when she wasn't on the court. Lauren has helped us retain the standard the league is today. When she returned to the Canberra side after Christmas this year, there was a buzz about the entire league."

Gary Fox in the lead up to the Grand Final - "We got together down here and applied to the WNBL to have Lauren Jackson, Jenny Whittle and Tracey Beatty be forced to carry a piano on their backs whenever they take the court on Saturday."

Grantley Bernard on LJ - "Basketball fuels her ambition and ambition fuels her basketball."

Charlotte GM Trudi Lacey - "You do have players that can come into the league and have an immediate impact, like [Diana] Taurasi and Lauren Jackson, but that's rare."

Townsville GM Mark McGregor on Renae Camino - "While she doesn't play the same position, (Camino) is the next Lauren Jackson of Australian basketball."

Hollie Grima on LJ during the Comm Games - "Coming on for Lauren at any stage of the game is hard to do. But that's why she's the best player in the world and we just want to follow in her footsteps. She's a great role model."

Jenni Screen on hitting a three in the final minutes of the OWC v US - "I was setting a pick for Jacko and all of a sudden I was open, so I went, 'Oh bugger it,' and I shot it and it went in."

Tom Maher on LJ after the OWC - "She's got all the bumps and the grinds, the real pro stuff. I think she's improved as a professional immensely. She's definitely the best. She's gone runner-up in the MVP in the WNBA, MVP and then runner-up. And she's a foreigner … give her another 10 votes … that's a huge thing."

Stacey Lovelace on the June 15 loss to Seattle - "Lauren is just a great player. In the third quarter, she just took her team on her shoulders and showed why she's such a great player."

Dave Cowens on LJ after the June 15 loss to Seattle - "If you don't pay attention to her 100 percent, she can hurt you big time."

Dan Hughes on LJ after the June 23 loss to Seattle - "Lauren Jackson was fantastic - she was physically very dominating. Give them credit."

Dan Hughes on LJ after the June 23 loss to Seattle - "You can't guard players like her one-on-one and that's what came up."

Van Chancellor on the Comets' June 25 win over Seattle - "We were not going to let Lauren Jackson get off on us because of how much she has carried that team emotionally."

Seimone Augustus on LJ after the July 1 loss to Seattle - "You've got Lauren Jackson - she's a great player. She created difficult situations for our posts and for our team. Once she gets the ball you have to pay attention to her. She looked for opportunities to score as well as helping her teammates get in position to score, so it was difficult."

Ashley Robinson on her increased role in the July 29 loss to Detroit - "When Lauren went out, you gotta play hard because she plays hard every single day. For her to sit out she has to be hurting, so I wanted to make sure I at least brought energy."

Jan Stirling on the US National coaches, in particular Mike Thibault - "They've all got their own agenda... Erin's coach was going to release her so we could have her on our recent China tour. He said 'no worries, no worries', but it never happened and was never going to happen... They like to talk the talk, but then they don't honour it."

Jan Stirling on LJ prior to Worlds - "She's in a management phase all the time."

Jan Stirling on LJ - "Suffice it to say she's an absolute warhorse."

Jan Stirling on LJ after the Worlds semi win over Brazil - "A lot of players would capitulate but she did other things so that when that little door became ajar early in the fourth, she was focused enough to take advantage of it... That's the sign of a great player. She's something a little bit special."

Jan Stirling on winning Gold at Worlds - "We will savour the moment but we can't stand still."

Jan Stirling on the Opals - "I believe the Opals can win gold. Another dream will start now, another two-year campaign will start now."

David Locke on LJ - "She has an aura and a presence to her. She commands the space she stands in and all that around her. Quite frankly, she is what I call a show-stopper. When she walks in, the show stops because something more commanding just entered."

David Locke on LJ - "This rawness, almost vulnerability, is what makes LJ so loveable. Here stands the greatest player in the world. A woman that commands attention and at the same time she is vulnerable enough that you can feel her love. There is no shield. There is no hiding behind a persona."

Jayda Evans (Aug 16) on LJ and JB - "An unpredictable grittiness overtakes the glamorous Burse, while the bohemian-chic Jackson morphs into a competitive blaze of fire, becoming a tricky inside matchup for opponents."

Janell Burse on before she knew LJ - "At first I thought she was mean ... I didn't know how we'd play together. But I quickly found out that LJ is really nice and laidback and fun. And she helps everyone be a better player."

Bill Walton on LJ - "I know that great athletes are self-starters in life. Jackson didn't get to the place she is now without being extremely motivated."

Lisa Leslie on herself and LJ - "We both represent more than just ourselves. We represent our countries and the battles and the gold medals and all of that. It's been never ending. Lauren is phenomenal — her ability to score inside and out — you can't give her enough credit, and the same goes for me. She brings the best out of me, and I probably bring the best out of her. It's a great challenge."

Lisa Leslie on LJ - "It doesn't matter who's out on the floor, but it's not like I don't get up to play her. Yeah, of course I do. She brings the best out of me and I think I probably bring the best out of her. It's a great challenge. I look back at when Magic and Larry Bird were playing against each other. It's just kind of like we can go 2-on-2, 3-on-3 or just be in here playing by ourselves and it would probably be just as competitive - we'd probably need some officials to keep it calm."

Lisa Leslie on LJ and losing Game 1 - "Lauren, overall, just played a solid game offensively and defensively. She's big inside. She didn't shoot that well from the outside, but she was able to finish inside. Lauren is Lauren."

Izi Marques on LJ and LL - "We say they hate each other. When they play each other it's like they want to kill one another. Both of them play their best when they are against each other. Lauren is like, 'There's no way you're going to come here and do anything to me!'"

Penny Taylor on the Opals - "Yeah, these are my best friends. We get along so well. They're all incredible basketball players but they're incredible people as well, so it's just an honour."

Penny Taylor on herself and LJ at Worlds - "I think what helped me have a great tournament is that Lauren does get so much attention, and it leaves a bit more space for me to score."

Sports writer Mechelle Voepel on LJ after Worlds - "In Jackson we're seeing more than just a future Hall of Famer, but someone who will define her country's women's basketball history. The measure of Aussie accomplishment in this sport will be,"How does she compare to Lauren Jackson?""

Michele Timms on the Opals' World Gold - "I'm just so proud of the girls. I'm still so excited. Every time I think about it I shed a tear. It makes me unbelievably proud being a past Opal... There wasn't one ego out there. They were just a team. Hats off to them... Two gold medals in one year. It's not a fluke. They are the real deal. I'm so proud of them."

Gary Jackson on his daughter - "This is such a big thing for her. It's a dream for her really... One thing with Lauren is she loves her country more than anything, so as good as her Australian and American titles and any individual honour she has received have been, this achievement is far and away the greatest of her career."

Gary Jackson on LJ's illness after Worlds - "It's something similar to a bit of food poisoning, something of that nature."

Politician Kim Beazley on meeting the Opals - "I am unused to being in the company of women who dwarf me, and I must say it's most delightful and very daunting."

Brian Goorjian on LJ and the NBL - "If she called me up and said, 'hey, I'd like to give this a try', I'd certainly call her in and give her a trial. If she could hold her own, if she's good enough, I'd put her on the Kings bench - and if she was on our bench you'd play her.
One thing about Lauren is she's physically and mentally tough. She's pretty damn good. But our guys would be taking no backward steps. If she can handle it, full respect."

NBL chairman Chuck Harmison on LJ's NBL eligibility - "The NBL rules and regulations have nothing in them that would stop a team from signing a woman player as long as she was able to fit under both the points and salary caps. If a team (has) room for her under both caps, they would be able to sign Lauren."

NBL commissioner Rick Burton on LJ - "Lauren is clearly the best women's player in the world so the thought of her testing herself against the men in our league is an intriguing prospect... If she was to make the decision to try the transition to the (NBL), I see no reason not to support her... We have female referees and female club CEOs already, so why not a female player? I would personally welcome one of our teams offering her the opportunity and it would be a brave person that would bet against Lauren."

Wollongong Hawks chief executive Paul Young on LJ - "My club had a genuine belief she could make an impact to the team. We see Lauren as a tremendous mentor to the thousands of kids, not just those who live here in the Illawarra region."

Sam Mackinnon on the idea of LJ in the NBL - "Lauren is a tough girl, both mentally and physically, has court smarts and is a very good shooter... I can see her playing a role in this league off the bench. She shouldn't be compared to a Michelle Wie and Annika Sorenstam in golf. I could see Lauren beating up on Townsville's John Rillie... Lauren has the game to take on and get the better of a Rillie."

Cal Bruton on LJ - "Lauren Jackson is definitely no joke. If she puts her mind to things she usually achieves what she wants, so I'd have no hesitation in bringing her in... I think my boys would be embarrassed, but that's life. I think women play a lot smarter than men, something that's lacking in the team's game now."

CJ Bruton on the idea of LJ in the NBL - "I'm on her team, I'd prefer to be on her side than against her, for sure."