It's a huge honor to even be talked about in that (MVP) light," says Jackson, "but honestly we need to win some games." Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

Storm forward/center Lauren Jackson is considered by many to be the world's best female basketball player. A native of Australia, the 6-foot-5 All-Star has already won a WNBA MVP award, a WNBA title and a World Championship by the tender age of 26.

This season, Jackson is leading the league in scoring and blocks, is one of the top two candidates for MVP and has Seattle in playoff position in the tough Western Conference. Jackson sat down for a conversation with WNBA.com's Adam Hirshfield to discuss her team's season so far and her hopes for the second half of the year.

Q. What do you think of the Storm's first half of the season? Your team has seen a lot of ups and downs.
A. Yeah, it's definitely been a bit of a rollercoaster, but we've been showing signs of massive potential. Then, at other times, we've shown signs of other things we don't really want to talk about (laughs). All in all, we've been pretty good, though. We're definitely getting better and coming together as a team, so I think the second half of the season is going to be good for us.

Q. How has it been playing without Sue Bird for the last couple of games? How has the team come together in her absence?
A. It's been tough. Sue's the best point guard in the league, so not having her out there to lead the team obviously hurts. But we've tried to regroup and everyone has stepped up to play pieces of her role out there and to try to make something of a positive out of it. Some of the other girls have become more confident. We want her back desperately, but we've done the best we can without her.

Q. Along those lines, how do you feel about how Betty Lennox, Iziane Castro Marques, Janell Burse and some other teammates of yours have really stepped up at times this season?
A. Yeah, they've been huge for us this year. Betty and Izi are really great players, superstars in their own right, and they've definitely stepped up and taken some of the load. JB's been great too.

Q. A lot of people are talking about you and Tamika Catchings as the top two MVP candidates. Do you think about that at all? Does it ever enter into your mind when you're playing? Do you ever feel like, "OK, I have to go out and get 20 and 10 tonight?"
A. Not really. Just because our season has been so up and down, my main focus has been trying to lead our team the best I possibly can. I haven't even thought about it that much. It's a huge honor to even be talked about in that (MVP) light, but honestly we need to win some games and that's all I'm thinking about.

Q. Are there any players you specifically look forward to playing? Are there opponents who you really get up for?
A. Lisa (Leslie) has always been one of the players I get really psyched to play. It's one of those situations where you go out there, try to have fun and know that you can only get better playing against someone like that. Playing in the All-Star Game is the same way, it's an honor… they're all great players.

Q. Did you feel a special closeness to fellow Aussie Penny Taylor on the Western All-Star team?
A. Definitely. I'm so happy for her. It was so great to play with her again.

Q. What do you feel like your team needs to improve on in the second half of the season?
A. Consistency is the main thing for us. We have one great game and then one poor game. We need to get on the same page and come out each night ready to play together. That's pretty much it. Defensively there are still things we need to work on, but when we play well, we've won. So consistency is the No. 1 thing.

Q. How much of an advantage do you have playing in front of your home fans in Seattle?
A. Playing at home used to be huge for our team. At one point of my career in Seattle, we had the best home record in the league, so it definitely helps. But this year, we've been up and down both at home and on the road. It hasn't really mattered as much. But like I said, we're definitely going in the right direction.

Q. The West seems to be wide open, and four or five different teams could conceivably represent the West in the Finals. Where do you think the Storm stand in the Western hierarchy? What's your prediction for the second half?
A. Yes, every game in the West is a tough one. There isn't one game where you can go in underestimating your opponent. There's too much talent in the league nowadays. On any given day, particularly in the Western Conference, any team could beat any other team. I don't really have any predictions. I think it's going to be one of those seasons that goes right down to the wire.

Q. Who do you see as your biggest rivals in the West at this point?
A. Probably San Antonio. We don't have a great record against them. Sacramento, also, has been the best in the West for some time. At the moment, I'd say those two teams, although Phoenix should be in there, too, because they're getting better.