For most improved on Storm, don't discount Burse

Warning: A lot of players are going to be mentioned for the Most Improved Player award as the WNBA season enters its second half. But don't forget about the Storm's Janell Burse.

The 6-foot-5 Burse's continued development under the tutelage of coach Anne Donovan and assistant Jessie Kenlaw has helped the Storm mold one of the best inside tandems along with Lauren Jackson in WNBA history.

And it makes her second only to Sacramento reserve Erin Buescher as a front-runner for the Most Improved Player.

Donovan believes Burse, a six-year veteran who recently recorded her 1,000th point, already should have the award on her mantle.

"In my mind, she should have been named most improved last season," Donovan said.

In their third season playing together, Burse is averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds while power forward Jackson is averaging 19.9 and 8.1. They have a total of six double-doubles this season, and in their last outing, the posts combined for 49 points and 18 rebounds to defeat struggling Minnesota.

As they grow more comfortable, the Storm has been able to win, including the current three-game win streak.

Los Angeles' former duo of center Lisa Leslie and forward DeLisha Milton easily tops the list of the WNBA's all-time best inside pairs. And Connecticut's posts Margo Dydek, a 7-2 center, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, a 6-2 forward, always create tough matchups. Sacramento veteran center Yolanda Griffith plays well with forward DeMya Walker to round out the list of quality post combos.

Burse gives Seattle an answer to teams trying to focus on Jackson.

"Lauren Jackson is an unbelievable talent. I respect her game so much," said center Tiffani Johnson. "JB, I've played against her before, and she should be up for most improved for the way she extended her game. As far as four-fives [center-forwards] go, they're at the top. Most teams have like one post player. Basketball 101 is to go inside-out, so to have really good post players like JB and Lauren is a coach's dream."

A lot of players who may look like favorites to win the award shouldn't even be considered.

First, former All-Stars shouldn't be tagged "improved." Sorry, Wendy Palmer, who won in 2004. Sorry, Betty Lennox, who has improved since she arrived in Seattle.

And players who simply found a better fit or more playing time shouldn't be included. Sorry, Nicole Powell, who won last season after being traded from Charlotte to Sacramento. With the Sting, Powell averaged a spotty 12.4 minutes and 4.3 points. Monarchs coach John Whisenant realized her value in his offensive scheme, and boom, Powell was a starter averaging 10.7 points en route to winning a 2005 WNBA championship.

The same goes for Indiana's Tamika Whitmore, whose team visits KeyArena to play the Storm (10-8) tonight.

Whitmore, an eight-year veteran, has been a behemoth inside since being named MVP of her French league during the offseason. She leads the Fever in scoring with a career-high 16.3, helping Indiana to a 7-1 record at home, 12-7 overall.

But, like Powell, there's nothing new to Whitmore's game, aside from an opportunity to view it.

So who should be on the list?

Leading the pack has to be Sacramento's Buescher. She averaged 3.3 points during the team's title run, but is a burst of scoring off the bench this season, improving her numbers to 11.3. In Sacramento's past five games, Buescher has contributed 15.4 points per game, leading the team in scoring three times as Sacramento was 4-1.

But, again, don't discount Burse. She started the season with a shoulder injury, which hampered the progress she made during the offseason while playing in Prague in the Czech Republic. There, she extended her shooting range and worked on her footwork and ball-handling.

Burse readily credits her time in Prague for her improvement. But she's not interested in the Most Improved Player award being her only reward.

"I want to add to last season every time I step out on the floor," said Burse, who is still hampered by the shoulder injury. "Show more versatility to free up Lauren because I would really, really would like another [championship] ring. That's the best bonus money and the best shiny thing to wear on your finger."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com