Bird, Jackson Named All-Decade Team Nominees
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When the WNBA
announced the 30 nominees for the league's 10-player All-Decade Team, which will be selected by fan, media and coach and player vote starting tomorrow, Seattle Storm guard 
Sue Bird and forward 
Lauren Jackson both graced the list.
"I'm happy with that," said a modest Jackson, apprised of the honor by reporters after Thursday's practice.
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Anne Donovan. "They're two of the best players in the world, and certainly in the WNBA. We've had the privilege here in Seattle to have both of them spend their careers here. I think it says a lot, two young players who are being recognized for how great they are at a young age."
Bird and Jackson were two of just six players to enter the league since the start of the 2000s to crack the list of 30. As one of just five MVPs in league history, Jackson looks like a lock to make the final All-Decade Team. Bird's case is strengthened by her status as one of just two players in league history to make All-WNBA First Team each of her first four seasons in the league. She also ranks second in league history in assists per game.
As the WNBA celebrates its 10th season of existence, Jackson shared her memory of the league's first game.
"Mate, I was at the Institute," she recalled. "I was a 15-year-old kid. I was watching it on ESPN. I remembering watching L.A. and going, 'I wish I could play there one day.'
"That same year, my coach had to do an interview with Australian television. He said, 'Lauren, she might play in the WNBA one day. She might be that good.' There I am as a pimply-faced teenager going, 'Yes! I'm going to be able to do it!' Maybe that was what I needed."
Jackson was able to get onto the practice floor Thursday for her longest session of training camp thus far, working for about an hour and 20 minutes as Donovan wrapped up practice relatively early. She continues to feel fine and experience little pain from her troublesome shins.
"Everything's working out to plan," she said. "I don't have anything niggling. I've been doing my cardio and stuff like that."
"We made sure we planned practice around offense with LJ," said Donovan. "So we worked with her on offense and defense, and it really made things look good offensively."
Donovan did, however, express some concern about Jackson's ability to ramp up the minutes she will be able to play in games after being limited to about half of games she played with the Australian Opals this spring.
"I hope when we're playing games, she's able to play more than 20, 25 minutes, which she did with the National Team," Donovan said. "That's the goal. I don't think we're going to see her play 36 minutes per game."
Turner Continues to Impress
Storm first-round pick 
Barbara Turner was a little tired during this morning's practice after five practices in three days (the Storm will not have an evening practice tonight before resuming two-a-days), but she remains the standout of training camp thus far. Donovan has been most impressed by Turner's intangible ability to have an impact on the game.
"She's got 'it' - that thing you can't teach, just nasty, go for it all the time," said Donovan. "It makes her a special player.
"Like a Tamika Catchings, like a Lauren, it's a drive - 'You are not going to shut me down.' She is going to have an impact on every play on both ends of the court, whether it's a tip or getting a rebound, getting a steal, getting a deflection, getting to the rim, hitting the 3 that people don't think she can hit."
Turner's confidence was evident when she was asked by reporters whether she has any doubts about whether she belongs in the WNBA.
"None at all," she said. "I know they drafted for me a reason. I just have to carry that mindset and go out and work hard every day."
Janell Burse was able to do more work after practice than she has previously this week, shooting baskets and working out with Storm Athletic Trainer Annmarie Henkel, but remains unavailable for practice. Despite that and Jackson's limitations, Donovan trimmed the roster by two players Wednesday evening, waiving guard Leah Metcalf and forward Jordan Adams.
"There's no reason to keep players when we know they're not going to make our roster," explained Donovan. "We're going to rely on our practice guys, who have committed to coming morning and night. Rather than keep players that aren't going to make the team, we're going to go ahead and waive them."
