Kevin Pelton, storm.wnba.com | July 8, 2005 - updated July 12, 2006
Seattle Storm stars
Sue Bird and
Lauren Jackson have become synonymous with the All-Star Game. When the Storm franchise first began play, however, the team had no such defining star. In its inaugural 2000 season, the Storm was shut out of the All-Star Game.
Things changed when the Storm drafted Jackson with the first pick of the 2001 Draft. On July 11, Jackson was voted by coaches a reserve for the Western Conference All-Star team, becoming the first Storm All-Star.
Five days later, Jackson scored 11 points, grabbed three rebounds, had three steals and handed out an assist in the 2001 All-Star Game, played at the TD Waterhouse Center in Orlando. Thanks in part to Jackson's efforts, the Western Conference won for the third consecutive year by an 80-72 final.
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"To be named one of the top players is pretty special, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it."
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty
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In 2002, Jackson was joined by Bird as number one picks and All-Stars on the Storm's roster. Given the heavy promotion Bird received when she entered the league, there was never really any question that Bird would be voted a starter, which she was.
"It's definitely a great honor, especially when you look at who's been an All-Star in the past," Bird told WNBA.com. "To be named one of the top players is pretty special, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it."
For the second straight season, Jackson was named as a reserve on the West squad. Together, she and Bird played a big role in the West's narrow 81-76 victory. Bird tied the then-All-Star record by handing out seven assists in addition to grabbing five rebounds and scoring two points. Jackson scored 15 points and had six rebounds in just 20 minutes of action and was an MVP candidate (the award, with some controversy, went to Lisa Leslie).
"I thought, 'I'm not going to pass. I'm just going to shoot,' " said Jackson after the game. "I was really confident. Last year, I was so nervous. I didn't know the girls, but this time it's been real easy going - a fun couple of days."
A year later, Bird was again voted a starter for the game in her native New York. But Jackson, in the midst of a season that would earn her MVP honors, was overlooked by the voters. Selected as a reserve, Jackson was selected by West Coach Michael Cooper to replace injured Comets forward Tina Thompson in the starting five.
"Last year we didn’t play together all that much," said Bird. "Hopefully this year we’ll get to be on the court a little bit more."
Notably, the two hooked up for a fast-break score that saw Bird pass the ball backwards between her legs to Jackson, who laid it up and in. Bird played 22 minutes, scoring 11 points and hauling down four rebounds. Jackson was held to single-digits for the first time in All-Star play, scoring nine points on 3-for-7 shooting, grabbing four rebounds and blocking three shots. For the fifth time in as many tries, the West emerged victorious by an 84-75 final.
"It was a rough, physical game," said Jackson. "But it was cool. I had a great time and I'm glad I can go back home tomorrow. I miss my teammates."
In 2005 - after a year off because of the Olympics - Bird and Jackson were back at the All-Star Game, played in Connecticut. Jackson was voted a starter for the first time, joining Bird in the lineup. Last year, they were joined in the Storm contingent by Coach 
Anne Donovan and assistants Jenny Boucek and Jessie Kenlaw, who coached the Western Conference squad to a blowout 122-99 win over the East, setting an All-Star Game scoring record.
With 14 points, Bird was one of seven Western Conference players to score in double-figures. Bird hit five of her six shot attempts, grabbed four rebounds and handed out three assists. Jackson scored nine points, had four rebounds and three steals.
"As far as I'm concerned, this one's the best," said Bird afterwards. "Obviously you guys know this, but this is definitely by far in my opinion the best All Star Game that the WNBA has put on yet."
"You've got the best players in the world out there competing," added Donovan. "You've got a lot of points on the board. You've got rebounds, you've got a dunk. What more do you want? Just a great experience."
On the Friday before the game, Bird won the All-Star Skills Challenge as eight players put their ability to shoot, dribble and pass to the test on a course constructed on the Mohegan Sun Arena court. Bird, who finished second to Charlotte's Dawn Staley when the competition was last held in 2003, emerged victorious this time, defeating New York's Becky Hammon in the finals.
In 2006, Bird and Jackson will return to Madison Square Garden, again as starters, for the 2006 WNBA All-Star Game presented by Vonage.
Storm All-Star Photo Gallery