LJ Honored (Again), Bird Sighting

Sports Illustrated's "The Year in Sports" edition is on newsstands now and celebrates the year's best female athletes, one chosen from each sport. For best pro basketball player, the choice was clear: Storm forward Lauren Jackson. Writes SI's Kelli Anderson:

Jackson, 26, led the WNBA in scoring (23.8 points, a career best) and rebounding
(9.7 boards) en route to winning the league's MVP and Defensive Player of the
Year awards. Best of all, Jackson believes she has yet to reach her peak. "My
game is developing," she says. "I'm just getting better and better."

Jackson's teammate here and abroad, point guard Sue Bird, was at KeyArena Thursday to see the Sonics take on the Boston Celtics and got a great hand from the crowd when she was introduced during the game. Bird is back in the U.S. during the holiday break European teams take this time each year.

On WNBA.com, be sure to check out league president Donna Orender's "wish list" during the holiday season.