As reported by the New York Times, Lauren Jackson joins recently retired Los Angeles Sparks legend Lisa Leslie and former Seattle Storm teammate Sheryl Swoopes as the only players in WNBA history to win MVP three times.
While her relationship to Swoopes might be defined by their one year playing together for the Storm in 2008 in a year with high expectations, her relationship with Leslie is more “complicated” as described by the Times:
Jackson does not yet have all of Leslie’s accolades, or seemingly as much widespread appeal among fans. But she has blossomed into the game’s best forward since Leslie’s retirement in 2009.
Leslie and Jackson have a complicated history. In 2000, Jackson once pulled out Leslie’s hair extension in the Olympic gold medal game.