Lauren Jackson adjusting to new Storm players

PHOENIX — Lauren Jackson knew there would be games like this.

The Australian power forward took a break from the blaring heavy metal blasting through her iPod earphones before the season opener Saturday to admit that it was going to be a few games before she felt comfortable with her new surroundings on the court. An eight-year Storm veteran, Jackson is flanked this season by three new starters and six new teammates overall.

The dramatic change has led Seattle players to open their first two games like they've never played basketball before, but then close both second halves by outscoring their opponents by a combined 88-54.

Yet only flashes of the reigning two-time MVP Jackson have shown in those two opening victories. Averaging a career-best 23.8 points in 2007, Jackson is still finding her way as the Storm prepares to play defending champion Phoenix (0-2) tonight at US Airways Arena.

Jackson is averaging 15.5 points in two games, shooting 37.5 percent from the field. She has missed 8 of her 10 three-point attempts. Last season she shot 40.2 percent from three-point range.

"It's not like I haven't played on a team that hasn't been this packed full of talent before," Jackson said of the Storm's starting five who have won a combined nine Olympic medals. "In terms of knowing my role and doing it, I know exactly what I have to do. I've been there before.

"I'm just going to try to fit in and play my role. I'll understand a little bit more of what that is after these few games. They're going to help me understand how I'm going to fit in."

True, Jackson has been here before. Like, earlier this month when she helped lead Spartak Moscow to its second consecutive Russian Superleague title. The team also won the EuroLeague championship and Jackson was named MVP.

The Russian roster included WNBA stars Sue Bird (Seattle), Tina Thompson (Houston), Ticha Penicheiro (Sacramento), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix), Kelly Miller (Phoenix), Kelly Mazzante (Phoenix), and Tamika Whitmore (Connecticut), to name a few. Everyone adjusted from being the star to just another talented piece.

"We had Ticha and me, so that's two point guards right there, and then we had all of the Russian point guards," Bird said of her experience. "Some games I didn't play. It's a learning process. When you do get to play, you make the most of it."

Penicheiro added: "It makes things easier. And with all the great players that were there, we kept one goal in mind and that was to win everything. We were able to accomplish that and we didn't care who did what — how many minutes, how many points."

Storm coach Brian Agler, given the go-ahead by new ownership and a $750,000 salary cap, emulated the same type of sparkly roster in Seattle. The goal, with two 27-year-old franchise players in Bird and Jackson, was to surround them with enough veteran leadership and solid reserves to alleviate pressure and win a WNBA championship.

Although former MVPs Yolanda Griffith, 38, and Sheryl Swoopes, 37, have shown their age, they've also made big plays and have had a hand in developing younger talent. Swin Cash, a trade pickup from Detroit who played with Bird at Connecticut, has been the needed threat on the wing, averaging 15.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, shooting 45.5 percent from the field.

The shift meant Agler had to trade promising Brazilian Iziane Castro Marques and leave 2004 Finals MVP Betty Lennox unprotected in the expansion draft. Both are starting in Atlanta (0-1), with Lennox scoring a team-high 17 points with seven boards in the Dream's 100-67 opening loss to Connecticut.

"It's sad to see them go, but unfortunately it's the nature of the league," Jackson said.

Now, the Storm is just waiting for the new pieces to fall into place.

"We're learning a lot about our team and I told them that," said Agler, who was disappointed with the Storm shooting 29 percent in consecutive opening halves. "We're going through this process of what works well for us and what doesn't. Hopefully we can have some stands defensively like we've had in the last two games and have some success.

"But you always want things to happen right away and it's probably not going to be right away. It's going to be a process."

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