Originally published Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Storm's Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson named to All-WNBA second team

Seattle Storm co-captains Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, the franchise's only representatives on the WNBA all-star squads in Seattle's nine-year history, were named to the all-league second team Friday. L.A.'s Candace Parker took MVP and rookie of the year honors.

By Jayda Evans

Seattle Times staff reporter

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ERIC GAY / AP

The Los Angeles Sparks' Candace Parker holds her trophy after she was named the WNBA Most Valuable Player in San Antonio on Friday. Parker was also named Rookie of the Year.

Jayda Evans' Storm blog

For the first time since 2001, the Storm did not have a player named to the All-WNBA first team.

Co-captains Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, the franchise's only representatives on the WNBA All-Star squads in Seattle's nine-year history, were named to the all-league second team Friday.

Bird, who received 166 points in the voting by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, plus fans, was edged out by San Antonio forward Sophia Young (171) and Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi (173) for first-team honors.

Bird, a 5-foot-9 point guard, had her best season statistically since entering the league as the No. 1 overall selection in 2002, averaging 14.1 points and 5.1 assists. When Jackson, a 6-5 power forward, missed the final 13 games of the regular season to prepare for the Olympics and undergo ankle surgery, Bird played both the point- and shooting-guard roles, tallying 20 points or more in eight games to keep Seattle second in the Western Conference.

Taurasi and Young were joined on the first team by Connecticut guard Lindsay Whalen, Los Angeles center Lisa Leslie and L.A. forward Candace Parker.

Parker was the unanimous rookie-of-the-year winner and also was league MVP.

Bird finished third in MVP voting with 218 points to Parker's 276 and Whalen's 242.

For the first time in WNBA history, fans were allowed 25 percent of the vote; voting by the media panel of 45 amounted to 75 percent.

Jackson finished the season third in league scoring (20.2). The Australian was named to the All-WNBA first team the previous five seasons.

Jackson and Bird were joined on the second team by Becky Hammon of San Antonio, Asjha Jones of Connecticut and Deanna Nolan of Detroit.

Seattle was a franchise-best 22-12. The Storm lost in the opening round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, losing a best-of-three series to Los Angeles 2-1. Bird averaged 19.7 points in the series.

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

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