SB Nation Seattle

The Seattle Storm host the New York Liberty at KeyArena tonight (7 p.m. PST) with encouraging news this week that star center Lauren Jackson has been cleared to play although whether she'll actually return to action is uncertain.

With two championships, three MVPs and countless other accolades on her resume, Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson is by far the most accomplished athlete in the city. And yet, as Scott M. Johnson of the Everett Herald suggests, she still doesn't quite get the recognition she deserves.

Seattle Storm assistant Jenny Boucek spent time this off-season learning how the Dallas Mavericks use Dirk Nowitzki. That's one example of the staff's commitment to winning back-to-back WNBA titles.

Don't expect the 2010 WNBA champion Seattle Storm to make any excuses for their 71-66 preseason opening loss to the Los Angeles Sparks - that's not what championship teams do and they're no different. But it's also by no means indicative of their chances to repeat as WNBA champions in 2011.