Look Who's Riding the Pine

There is no doubt that the Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson is among the top five female basketball players of all-time. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.

This hero of the hardwood, this Cadillac of the court, was benched for the fourth quarter of last night's loss against Houston. This is the WNBA equivalent of yanking Allen Iverson--pinch hitting for Manny Ramirez--subbing out Mia Hamm.

Jackson came to preseason camp out of shape and has struggled this season, her points per game average down from 20 to 16.

Yet the 2003 WNBA MVP didn't expect yesterday's public smackdown. "I don't know what I did," she said, through tears, after the game.

The Storm, last year's WNBA Champions, are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 7-7 record. Tonight their Texas road trip continues, vs. the last place San Antonio Silver Stars.