Shootaround: A question and answer with the Storm's Lauren Jackson

Today, growing pains in Seattle.

Q: Is it hard to believe you've been playing here 10 years?

LJ: Very hard. It's gone so quickly. We've had three coaches. We've won a championship. If we do it again that would be lovely. It's been a great, great experience. I'd never want it to change it. I would never take any of it back.

I remember being so scared (as a rookie), coming into a new city. I was 19. I'd been living away from home since I was 16. So I didn't see it as a long-term thing. I guess being drafted, I didn't really understand the expectations or anything. I didn't understand any of it. I didn't know what the difference was between Australia and American basketball. But after the first year I realized it was going to be my career, and where I was going to be. I had to get used to it.

Q: When you look back, is it hard to believe how immature you were?

LJ: It has been a progression, getting use to getting older and being a role player on a team, moving away from home and having to grow up. I think I've done all right. I was young. I acted young, I did immature things, you know, and I've progressed to a point where I'm like, "I'm too old to be doing that crap anymore (laughs)."

I was a party kid. I loved a good time. I still love a good time. Kids do that stuff, and I sure did. I was a long way from home. Nothing to do in my spare time, so I got into some mischief. Never been to jail. I'd never hurt anybody. I have very pure intentions, but I do manage to get myself in some mischief. I get into situations where I think, "What the hell was I thinking?"

Q: Any glimpse you can give us of a young, immature Lauren Jackson?

A: What about skinny dipping at Alki Beach? It was summer, but it was bloody cold, I'm telling you. It was a bit of a dare. A couple of us went. I don't want to implicate anyone in my narrative, but I had a couple of teammates and some friends with me. After a concert one night, we had a few drinks. ... It was sooooo cold. Might been in there (water) for about five minutes. It was very late at night, so nobody saw. It was very innocent, harmless fun.

Q: That sort of thing is behind you now, right? No more skinny dipping?

LJ: I still get into mischief occasionally, so I'm not going to say it's all behind me. These are the best years of my life, right? Gotta enjoy 'em while I can, and I will.