[外電] 群雄割據中央區

看板ChicagoBulls (芝加哥公牛)作者AhUtopian (It's my Life)時間12年前 (2013/08/01 12:29)推噓4(4推 0噓 2→)

留言6則, 5人參與討論串1/1

Landscape changing in NBA's Central Division http://ppt.cc/9~2r Once upon a time -- back when Derrick Rose was the NBA's MVP -- the Bulls had no peer in the Central Division. 當Rose是NBA的MVP的那個從前，公牛在中央區沒有任何對手。 En route to posting the league's best regular-season record in the 2010-11 campaign, the Bulls lost one divisional matchup, an overtime defeat to the plucky Pacers, who would become their first-round playoff opponent. Indiana only won one game in that series, but the physical nature of the young eighth seed set the tone for what's evolved into a bit of a regional rivalry. 2010-2011那個登上聯盟例行賽戰績第一個過程中，公牛只輸給同區對手過一次，那是個延長賽的敗陣，輸給了那個在第一輪被我們打敗的溜馬，他們所展現出天生的身體素質，被預設成那個未來跟我們在同區競爭的對手。 The next season, the Bulls again cruised to the NBA's best record and went 13-1 in the Central during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, again dropping a lone contest to Indiana. After Rose was injured in the first game of the postseason, the Bulls lost to Philadelphia in the opening round, while the Pacers gave eventual champion Miami a battle in their second-round series. 下個封館縮短賽季，公牛仍然悠然的登上NBA最佳例行賽戰績，同時在中央區拿下13勝 1敗，那1敗一樣是輸給了溜馬，在Rose受傷而我們第一輪被76人淘汰後，溜馬在第二輪跟最後得到冠軍的熱火奮戰後落敗。 With Rose out for an entire year last season, the Pacers, even with former All-Star and leading scorer Danny Granger mostly on the shelf, seized control of the division, going 13-3 in Central games and taking another step in the postseason by advancing to the conference finals, where they again lost to Miami, this time in a seven-game thriller. The Bulls, on the other hand, went 9-7 and dropped games against also-rans Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit for the first time in two seasons. 來到上個Rose受傷缺陣的球技，溜馬即使在他們的all-star、首席得分手前鋒妙麗缺陣的情況下，掌控了中央區，獲得了13勝3敗的成績，並且更向前邁進的挺進東區冠軍戰，再次輸給了熱火。另一方面，公牛只有9勝7敗的分區對戰，並在兩季的完勝之後，輸給了同區的公鹿、騎士跟底特律。 Indiana has unquestionably risen to the ranks of the league's elite teams and with a solid offseason, the Pacers have only bolstered their title hopes, a remarkable turnaround for the organization since falling from the NBA's upper echelon following a long rebuilding process in the wake of the infamous "Malice in the Palace." After a one-year hiatus, the Bulls are also poised to contend for a championship, now that Rose is set to rejoin the lineup, and after grudgingly relinquishing their hold on the Central crown -- the lone regular-season game the injured point guard sat on the bench for was on the road, at Indiana, which was no coincidence -- among their goals for the upcoming season is taking back control of the division. 印城在紮實的季末補強後，毫無疑問的成為了聯盟最頂段班的球隊，溜馬正享受著奪冠的希望，在經過奧本山事件的震盪、從山頂滑落後，那漫長的谷底翻身跟重建。而在經過了一年的縫隙，既然Rose要歸隊了，公牛也同樣磨刀霍霍的要逐鹿冠軍，同時就當上季公牛一路任憑Rose在板凳上養傷、不甘願的退出了中央區的王座後，雖然嘴巴沒有說，但是他們本季的其中一個目標，應該會是再次接管中央區的王座。 But although the Bulls and Pacers are still the class of the Central, there's new competition on the prowl. The Bucks, a first-round victim of the Heat in April, may have already maneuvered themselves out of the Eastern Conference playoff race (though the last two or three seeds are certainly up for grabs) with their curious summer, but the Cavaliers and Pistons made some intriguing moves and on talent alone, have to be taken seriously. 雖然牛馬仍然是中央區的正港強者，但中央區也有新的競爭者打算分食中原。去年第一輪敗給熱火的公鹿，固然在詭異的季末動作之後，讓他們可能跌出了季後賽，但騎士跟活賽確實有些令人驚艷的動作，增添了他們的天份，讓人必須認真看待。 In perhaps the final major transaction of the offseason, Milwaukee and Detroit exchanged young point guards Tuesday, with Brandon Knight and essentially filler going to the Bucks, and Brandon Jennings, in a sign-and-trade scenario (the now-former restricted free agent will reportedly sign a three-year, $24-million deal) now donning a Pistons uniform in the swap between divisional rivals. 在可能是這個季外最後的大動作，公鹿跟活塞把他們的年輕控衛交換了。 Detroit previously signed longtime Hawks forward Josh Smith in free agency, forming a frontcourt with underrated, highly-skilled big man Greg Monroe and promising 19-year-old center Andre Drummond, a monster athlete. Whether or not the trio -- which doesn't feature much outside shooting -- blends well together, is a concern, but there's no questioning their size, length and overall talent. Although Jennings, who appeared to be left out in the cold -- after turning down a contract extension from Milwaukee, the southpaw (like Monroe and Smith, who might not be well-suited to playing small forward offensively) didn't receive an offer sheet from would-be suitors -- is criticized for his shoot-first tendencies and shot selection, the point guard has shown flashes of playmaking ability and with better finishers around him than with the Bucks, his ability to be more of a traditional floor general shouldn't be sold short just yet, particularly if new Pistons head coach Maurice Cheeks elects to push the pace to take advantage of his squad's athleticism. 在此之前，活塞在FA市場中跟Josh簽了長約，和被嚴重低估、高度技巧純熟的長人夢羅，充滿無限可能未來、有著怪物般體能的壯猛，組成前場陣容。不論他們是不是能有效的組成三本柱，他們的身材、高度跟體能跟整體天份是毫無疑問的。雖然左撇子的建寧公主(夢羅跟Josh也都是左撇子，Josh進攻端上看起來不太適合當SF)─在拒絕了公鹿的延長合約、並且沒有從可能的落腳球隊接受到報價後，本來看起來會再被遺留在寒冷的密爾瓦基一個球季─因為他投籃第一跟傾向跟出手選擇飽受批評，他確實也展現出過令人眼睛為之一亮的playmaker能力，而且當他身邊圍繞著相較於公鹿更多、更好的的得分手時，他成為一個更傳統的場上主控的能力，不應該被看扁，尤其再把活塞新主帥Mo Cheeks有可能透過加快比賽節奏、來利用他們隊上的活動能力這樣的考量加進來後。 Meanwhile, the acquisitions of shooting guards O.J. Mayo and Gary Neal, to go along with Knight and erstwhile Bucks veteran backup Luke Ridnour, gives Milwaukee a solid -- if not spectacular -- backcourt. Project first-round draft pick Giannis Antetokounmpo, a young Greek wing, is likely years away from contributing, but another Bucks retread, veteran Carlos Delfino will give new head coach Larry Drew some experience at small forward. Milwaukee's strength, like Detroit, is its young frontcourt, led by the defensive-minded Larry Sanders, the similarly promising John Henson and Ersan Ilyasova. 同時，簽下Mayo、Nael並伴隨著Knight、勞德諾的公鹿，這樣的後場組合就算說不上特別、但也是十分牢靠。縱算希臘搖擺人、潛力新人第一輪新秀GA看來還要一年的養成才能替公鹿做出具體貢獻，但從當鹿角的屌飛龍，會在鋒線給予教頭Drew一些經驗提供。而公鹿的強項，就像活塞，在於他們有著由防守達人Sanders、前途似錦的 Henson、Ersan領軍的年輕前場。 It doesn't make for an overwhelmingly talented bunch, but based on Knight making strides as a scoring point guard, Mayo asserting himself as a viable No. 1 option (as he did in the first half of last season in Dallas), Sanders taking another step in his offensive development and Henson building upon his summer-league progress, it's not completely crazy to think that the Bucks could again at least compete for the final playoff spot in the top-heavy East. Whether or not that makes sense -- given a total rebuilding effort seemed somewhat logical entering the summer and with a loaded 2014 draft class looming -- is another story. 這樣的陣容並不是說怎樣天縱英才的組合，但再加上例如Knight正逐漸成長成一個得分型控衛、Mayo如同他上個在小牛球季的前半季一樣、成為了公鹿的第一得分點， Sanders再更進一步的在進攻端成長，以及Henson在夏季聯盟所展現出的進步，認為公鹿仍然有機會去在強弱失衡的東區，爭搶季後賽的末席，並非一個很瘋狂的想法。姑且不論這樣一個重建中的球隊，邏輯上應該是放手擺爛進入明年的選秀。 Cleveland, on the other hand, has the potential to be a force in the upcoming season, as long as new head coach Mike Brown, in his second go-around with the Cavaliers, can figure out a working rotation. 克里夫蘭，另一方面來說，有潛力在這個將要到來的球季成為一個強悍的新力量，只要鳳還巢的Mike Brown能有效的整合出上場陣容。 Star point guard Kyrie Irving is a good place to start, if he can stay healthy. If the All-Star takes Brown's defensive lessons to heart, he could really round out his all-around game, which already features high-level playmaking and scoring, both off the dribble and from the outside. 只要明星控衛厄文能保持健康，他就是騎士一個好的起點。已經在play-makimg跟得分方面─甚至是無持球跟外圍，展現出良好表現的他，如果能從教練身上學到防守，那他對比賽的掌控會更全面。 After Irving, however, there's a collection of talented pieces that may or may not fit together. Joining Irving in the backcourt again will be one-dimensional scorer Dion Waiters, but veteran pick-up Jarrett Jack, one of the league's top sixth men last season should help, as he did in Golden State alongside Stephen Curry. 在厄文之後，是一群充滿天份、卻不知道能不能有效整合出戰力的一群球員。跟厄文組成後場的會是得分見長的侍者，但是上季在咖哩背後、聯盟最佳第六人之一的Jack ，也會幫得上忙。 Former All-Star center Andrew Bynum was a polarizing signing, just because he's coming off a year away from game action, though his minimal contract guarantee lessens the Cavs' risk factor. The presence of Anderson Varejao, a high-energy veteran big man, softens any potential negatives Bynum brings to the table, and 2012 first-rounder Tyler Zeller is also still in the fold. 雖然透過低額的部份保障降低了，因為已經整季沒有上場，火車男孩的簽約結果會很兩極化。不過充滿活力的米粉頭的存在，能作為火車男孩可能帶來負面效應的緩衝，同時2012年的第一輪選秀Zeller也還在陣中。 Canada native Tristan Thompson will likely compete at power forward with No. 1 overall pick and countryman Anthony Bennett. Earl Clark, a free-agent signing, can also play the position, though he's capable of playing on the wing, where athletic holdover Alonzo Gee, Russian sharpshooter Sergey Karasev and fellow rookie Carrick Felix could also see playing time. 加拿大人TT，將會跟狀元同鄉AB競爭先發PF。簽下的自由球員Clark也是大前鋒，同時他也能擔當搖擺人角色，這個位置，有著充滿運動能力的留隊球員Gee、俄羅斯射手 Karasev還有新人Felix，都也有可能爭取到上場時間。 The individual ability and upside of Cleveland's personnel is undeniable, but it's not definitive as to whether it will translate into a postseason berth or simply a lure for prodigal son LeBron James next summer. Regardless, the Cavs are expected to be competitive and due to Irving's continued development alone, they should be in the hunt to face the likes of the Bulls, Pacers, Heat or Nets in a first-round playoff matchup. 上面這些球員的個人能力跟天賦都是無可否認的，但這不等於可以有效轉換成足以進入季後賽，或是把遊子雷霸龍誘惑回來的團隊戰力。無論如何，騎士都被認為會具有競爭力，而且隨著厄文持續的進步，他們應該會有機會爭取和牛馬火網在季後賽第一輪碰面的機會。 But the potential of Detroit and Cleveland aside (and Milwaukee's refusal to either tank the season or make a push to significantly improve) the Bulls and Pacers still comprise the race for Central supremacy, even if games against the field are no longer gimmes. The Bulls' biggest addition to an already well-rounded roster was veteran swingman Mike Dunleavy Jr., while Indiana opted to revamp its much-maligned bench -- former Bulls point guard C.J. Watson, ex-Knicks forward Chris Copeland and the most recent addition, veteran power forward Luis Scola -- not to mention Granger's return, which could send emerging shooting guard Lance Stephenson to the second unit. 但即使把活賽跟騎士的天份(還有那不上不下的老鷹)列出來，牛馬仍然是中央區王座的主要競爭者，即使他們不再能像以往一樣予取予求。公牛季末最大的補強是在他們已經十分齊全的陣容中，補進有經驗的搖擺人Dunleavy；同時溜馬，選擇透過補進前公牛替補控衛C.J.Watson、前尼克前鋒Copeland還有最近補進來的金克拉，補強他們本來孱弱的板凳，更不用說妙麗的回歸會讓Lance回到第二隊。 Both teams are equipped with Top 10 coaches (Tom Thibodeau and Frank Vogel), size on the interior (Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson vs. Roy Hibbert, David West and Scola), depth on the wing (Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler and Dunleavy vs. Paul George, Granger and Stephenson) and blue-collar approaches, exemplified by their shared status as elite defensive and rebounding teams. Rose's return gives the Bulls an edge because of the superstar factor, but if the Pacers didn't fear him in his MVP season, then now, buoyed with confidence from their postseason success, they definitely won't. 同樣有著防守、籃板強隊的特徵，兩隊都有著聯盟前十的教練、具備身高的禁區、兩翼的深度跟藍領精神。Rose的回歸所帶來超級球員效應讓公牛有些微的優勢，但如果溜馬在Rose的MVP球季都不怕他的話，隨著這次季後賽精采表現、氣焰水漲船高的溜馬，現在當然更不會害怕Rose。 Still, even if it's probable that the division is decided by the two established squads, with the offseason momentum gained by the rest of the Central, it might not be that way in the long run. 就算中央區仍然是這兩支強隊所把持，但剩餘中央區球隊都能進入季後賽，並不是個痴人說夢的妄想。 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 114.45.190.62 ※ 編輯: AhUtopian 來自: 114.45.190.62 (08/01 18:00) ※ 編輯: AhUtopian 來自: 114.45.190.62 (08/01 18:02)