Lennox has brought electricity to the Storm (Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty Images)

June 22, 2004 -- If there is one thing Seattle Storm guard Betty Lennox knows something about, it is how to fit in with a new team. After averaging 16.9 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game en route to winning the 2000 Rookie of the Year award with the Minnesota Lynx in her first WNBA season, Lennox had superstardom written all over her future. But in the next three seasons, she played with three different teams and was unable to match the success she enjoyed in her rookie season. She was twice a member of a disbanding team, including the Cleveland Rockers last season, and was the selected sixth overall by the Storm in the 2004 Dispersal Draft.

But the choice could be working out any better for Seattle or for Lennox. Storm are scoring more than anyone else and have the best record in the league. Lennox is starting in the backcourt next to two-time All-WNBA First Team point guard Sue Bird and is second on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg) behind Lauren Jackson, the 2003 WNBA MVP.

Q. So, is this the best you feel you have been playing since the Rookie of the Year campaign?
A: "Not really. I feel like this is just another good opportunity for me since my rookie season."

Q. What have been the keys to your personal success thus far this season?
A. "I would definitely say that Coach (Donovan) has a lot to do with it, but I am a different person now and a veteran in the league. If anything, I have learned from past experiences."

Q. How do you like Seattle so far?
A. "I haven't gotten the chance to do too much, but I have been able to do some work in the community. You know, getting the kids involved. I haven't gotten out too much just yet because I am a gym rat."

Q. Did any of your new teammates do anything special to welcome you to the team?
A. "I don't think anyone went out of their way or did anything too special. I think they were laid back and waited to see what was brought to them and see if I would be a good fit for this team. It's not like anyone was unwelcoming or anything like that at all. I just think people wanted to see if this was a correct decision that Ann had made."

Q. So no streamers or balloons or anything the first day of training camp?
A. "No, nothing like that."

Q. Being on your fourth team in three seasons, did the coaches tell you what your role would be this season?
A. "You know, they really didn't pinpoint what my role would be. Ann just told me to be aggressive and that she wanted me here to play good defense. She has actually made me a defensive player, so now I take a whole lot of pride in my defense as well as my offense. It seems like because I am working harder on the defensive end of the floor, the offense is just coming easily as a result. If my coaches had told me that a long time ago, I would have been a lot more successful. But it is really just about being aggressive and having a fearless attitude."

Q. But your scoring is also up. So do you go into the game focusing on defense first now?
A. "Yeah, I think that is what makes my game that much better now. I do go in thinking defense first, that I have to stop my man and shut them down. The rest I don't have to think about as much."

Q. Do you see your addition to the team as one of the keys to the Storm's success this season?
A. "This team is still humble. We have some wins under our belt, but we have to go out and continue playing our game of basketball. We treat every opponent with respect and take nothing for granted."