Sunday, July 31, 2005

[Basketball] Aoshen in Sacramento (2)

Bobby Jackson 在美國時間週五晚上成為了北京奧神隊的主力控衛,進行了他在沙加緬度的告別賽。

比起比賽最後的結果,或許更重要的是奧神年輕球員們在實戰當中的歷練和成長,以及 Jackson 令人難忘的情誼。

比賽過程可以參考 Sacbee新浪體育的報導。新浪體育另外有這場友誼賽和奧神隊員在國王訓練中心的圖片集,還有 Vlade 和 Peja 指導奧神球員的報導



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Saturday, July 30, 2005

[NBA] New CBA Signed

經過漫長的折衝談判,勞資雙方終於在美國時間週六凌晨在新版議價協定(Collective Bargain Agreement)上簽字。自由球員市場將從美國時間下週二起正式開市。

新舊版議價協定之間的出入請參考 Chad Ford 的介紹(或是地下的報導)。

隨著新版協定簽字,確定了 2005~06 賽季各隊的薪資軟上限將為 49.5 M,比去年高出 5.63 M。這個數字跟之前各方的預測差不多,代表了騎士、公鹿和快艇等原本薪資總額在軟上限以下的球隊將可依照原有的計畫追逐自由球員。

另外,2005~06 賽季各隊的薪資最低總額確定為 37.125 M。根據擴張選秀條約規定,這個數字同時也是夏洛特山貓隊下個賽季的薪資軟上限;山貓隊的薪資最低總額則為 27.84 M。

2005~06 賽季各隊薪資總額的豪華稅開徵標準也確定為 61.7 M。這是自豪華稅制度導入議價協定以來,各隊第一次能夠在開季前的暑假就得知豪華稅開徵下限的詳細金額。如此將能讓各隊行政人員能夠更方便準確的控制球隊薪資結構。

詳細內容請參考美聯社的新聞,或是這兩天更為詳細的報導,例如 Marc Stein 對於 "amnesty clause" 的介紹,以及 Dan Rosenbaum's Blog


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Friday, July 29, 2005

[Voyage] Williamsport (2)

魚貫進入客機,看到稍嫌擁擠的客艙和稍嫌年華老大的空服小姐,不禁心頭一怔。儘管非常努力的把小球員們一個蘿蔔一個坑地塞進座位裡,但在飛機還沒起飛前,他們又已經開始四處流竄,爭奪手上的 Gameboy。如此的行徑當然會引發某些乘客的白眼,以及沈穩莊重的空服員們的小小不悅。

我坐在難以進出的中間排大通鋪座位,左手邊坐著一位臉色有些蒼白、年紀約莫和我相仿的單眼皮瘦小女生,看來搭乘長途客機經驗豐富的她,看到我們這麼一排踏入客艙的大陣仗,早知不妙,很快地就把眼罩、毛毯都準備好,迅速的進入夢鄉。看著大螢幕上的介紹,我們將必須坐十二個半小時的飛機前往紐約,看著身旁的倨促環境,心裡不禁有些擔心起來。

起飛之後,空服員們很快地陸續送上點心和正餐來打發無聊,但是這樣的份量對於正值發育期的小鬼來說顯然是不夠的,於是他們不停地要求我的協助。

「大哥哥,我要那個那個那個……」
「大哥哥,我可以多吃一點嘛……」
「大哥哥,我想喝 XXXX…」

這些要求儘管讓空服員跟我都覺得有點煩,但也還好;然而比較遭的是,小鬼們為了 Gameboy 時有站起走動到處喧譁的行為,甚至會在空服員推著餐車時亂跑亂竄,只為了搶奪 Gameboy,這樣讓本來對我們印象分數就偏低的空服員們更擺出了晚娘臉孔。

“Excuse me sir, would you please let your boys…”
“Ok, sorry…”

在接下來的航程中,我發現自己必須一直和空服員們重複這樣的問與答,儘管這些孩子們並不是 “my boys”,而幾乎所有的大人們都採取漠視的態度。

雖然拿不到多餘的餐點,只是想要點其他的飲料也是歷經困難,但小鬼們終於吃飽這一餐了,時間也在半夢半醒之下緩慢的流動著,期間我曾經醒來看了一下大螢幕上演的不知名奪寶奇謀片,其他時間當中曾經想掙扎著起來看本書,但後來發現還是昏睡比較舒服。

踏入後半段的旅程,機艙裡一片黑暗,小鬼們也只剩下一兩個正在努力盯著螢幕拼鬥,我腦中反覆推演著到達 JFK 之後的各項流程,心情當中混合著不安、恐懼以及興奮。談到出國比賽,這些孩子跟教練應該比我的經驗更加豐富(他們之前曾參加在關島的亞洲區預賽);身為菜鳥球隊翻譯的我,除了語言之外,到底還有什麼地方可以帶給他們幫助?或著,根本我才是被幫助的那一方,因為沒有他們的成績,我此時此刻是不會在這裡的?我不停的思索著。突然-

“Excuse me sir, would you please let your boys…”

我到了廁所的位置,發現一個小鬼正在門口拿著 Gameboy 一臉不高興的等候。

「你在幹嘛?」
「大哥哥,那個 XXX 在裡面都不出來啦…」

詳細一問之下,才知道原來小鬼們因應長途跋涉,竟然找到了廁所裡的插座幫 Gameboy 充電。真是令人傻眼,這告訴了我們小孩子為了玩遊戲能夠激發多大的求生潛能,也令我回想起自己小時候許多為了玩電動不惜代價的行徑(有不少可能比這還要瘋狂)。

航程進入最後的四分之一,空服員把窗簾打開,準備下一波的送餐;小鬼們也又開始活躍起來。此時坐在我左邊,之前一直處在夢鄉當中的女生突然開口了。

「小弟弟,你想跟我說什麼?」

我轉頭看著坐在我右邊的調皮小鬼。他是我到目前為止感覺全隊最難搞的傢伙,面貌清秀並且有一雙大眼睛,但卻老會因為最瑣碎的小事就和同伴發生爭執,並且老是會想做一些事情來引起你的注意。被大姊姊詢問的他面紅耳赤,一副很想說什麼又開不了口的樣子,我想應該是邁入青春期的男孩子典型對待異性的反應吧。

於是我成了他的翻譯。儘管我和她之間用國語就能溝通,但如果不靠我傳話,他看來一個字都講不出口。「你們是台灣來的吧。」帶著濃厚廣東腔調的這位小姐說。出生香港的她目前還在唸書,這次準備回紐約的父母家裡探親,我先為了一路上小孩子們的吵鬧干擾了她的睡眠向她致歉,「沒關係,他們是小孩子嘛。」「真的看不出他們這麼會打棒球欸。」我們身上穿著整齊劃一的棒球制服成為了最適合的閒聊話頭,我們聊著台灣的棒球和環境。

「其實大家都要和平的。經濟發展才好,雖然你們現在的政治環境…」這位小姐在這裡欲言又止,我想我理解她的話中含意,並露出無奈的微笑。一旁的小鬼時時刻刻看來都很想插入我們的對話,但一但我們問他想說什麼,他不是害羞的說「沒有,沒有」,就是有點生氣的「哎呦∼」,並開始扭曲肢體。

看著報紙上紐約萬人空巷抗議 George W. Bush 的場景,我試著換個話題詢問:「911 之後,美國機場的檢查有比較刁難嘛?」

「一定有的,不過大家也漸漸習慣了,日子總是要過的。」

「幸好你們早來早歸,一但過了九月,離總統大選剩不到半年,機場的安檢勢必會全面提升的。」

繫上安全帶的警告開始迴盪在我們耳邊,一旁的小鬼成為了我們的會話能夠不斷延續最重要的動力,每當我們之間因沒有話題開始變得有些尷尬時,小鬼稚嫩卻想裝老成的心理和動作總是能讓我們會心一笑。「這就是小孩子嘛…」

漫長的旅程終於接近尾聲,閒聊後宛如大夢出醒的我們,找機會在座位上變換姿勢舒展筋骨。在飛機即將降落的這段充滿思緒的時刻裡,我們沈默無語。

我最後遞給了她一張名片,「歡迎妳來台北玩的時候過來找我。」「好啊,一定。我之前也去過台北,很熱鬧,人很多,車子也很多。 還有一個很大的書店,半夜也不打烊的…」「應該是誠品吧。」「對對…」

我們道過再見,在目送著她離開座位下飛機的同時,我腦海裡快速的把之前在機上排練的出關流程重新 run 過一遍。帶領著這麼一批大人小孩踏上陌生的國土,我必須快速的把自己的心裡武裝起來。

一邊謹慎的閱讀著四周的指示(不過其實 JFK 的指引相當清楚)一邊帶領著球員前進,映入我們眼簾的是通關口一旁巨大寬敞的落地窗,和窗外一覽無遺的風景,令人眼界為之一亮,我心中不禁暗自讚嘆著,不同的國家果然有著不一樣的氣度。一位穿著整齊西服的瘦高非裔美人站在通關口,不停的向如潮水般一湧而上的旅客宣佈:「美國國民請往左,非美國國民請往右…」

我帶領著隊員們排好隊,開始準備拿出護照,然而-

「我的皮夾呢?」

我找不到我的皮夾。原本一向對於東西失而復得這碼子事很有自信的我,在全身上下都搜遍之後,竟然還是沒有發現皮夾的蹤影。不安的情緒開始擴大,我完全不能想像在這麼重要的場合,竟然發生這樣糟糕的失誤。我開始冷汗直冒,手腳發軟,腦筋一片空白,根本不敢想像最壞的結果。

我試著保持冷靜的回溯記憶,回想起來,皮夾應該是丟在班機上的。但是我怎麼能現在跑回去找,而把這一批不懂英文的隊員們丟在海關呢?

天幸我沒有在這裡掙扎太久。我語調急促的把球隊交給其中一位看來比較負責的男老師,接著就想要循原路衝回班機上。我嘗試著冷靜下來,儘可能以清楚的英文向非裔美人指引官解釋我的情況,他聽完之後馬上指引我航空公司的地勤人員方向。

我飛快地跑到地勤人員所在之處,看到一位梳著整齊短頭髮看來精明幹練的華裔中年婦女,同時身旁正圍著好幾個旅客。平常時刻我可能可以等待,但現在十萬火急,我不停的尋找插話的機會。

“Sorry, excuse me, I…”
「你會講中文吧?」

我慌亂的用中文告訴她情況。她很快的比對我的登機資料。「現在我可以回去班機上找嘛?」
「不行!這是航空公司的規定。機師和空服員到現在為止也還沒回報他們有撿到什麼東西。你把皮夾放在哪裡?褲子後口袋!難怪你會不見。誰叫你放在後口袋的!?」

沒想到,我看來的確是最需要幫助的人。我不知怎麼回答她的問題。

「現在要的話也只能我回去找。你在這裡等。但是我不知道還能不能找到,搞不好已經被撿走了。你實在太不小心了。」在用無線電和班機通話之後,她有些嚴厲的對我說。

在等待她回來的時間裡,我不停的想萬一皮夾真的不見,未來的兩個星期該怎麼辦;雖然同時,我心裡一直有一股聲音告訴我,這次我還是能吉人天相,然而我的理智很快的否決如此的可能性。

經過了對我而言極度漫長的等待,她終於回來了。

「你的名字是?護照號碼是?」

「你實在是個超級好運的人。」

「把它收好!」

我懵懵懂懂下意識的把失而復得的皮夾收起來。

「你還收在褲子口袋後面!你再收在褲子口袋後面啊!」





Windy? Wendy? 老實說我現在已經忘記這位地勤人員的名字了。

但是我還記得她的名字怎麼拼:

A-N-G-E-L.


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[Kicks] Rookie Shoe Deals; lil' LeBron faded

Darren Rovell's Weblog (or, in case you are not an ESPN insider, check Niketalk) has the latest update of some of the shoe deals in the 05' rookie class.


Before the draft, Marvin Williams signed a Reebok deal, worth a 2005 draft-high $1 million per year. Other deals signed were Chris Paul/Nike ($600,000) and Rashad McCants/Nike ($400,000). Now the latest we're hearing is that adidas has signed UNC alum Raymond Felton and high schooler Martell Webster, who was picked by the Trail Blazers, for under $200,000 per year. While many guys are still up for grabs, no player has increased their stock better than New York Knicks small man Nate Robinson. The 5-foot-9 guard from the University of Washington has scored 17.8 points per game while averaging just 26.6 minutes. Those numbers plus the fact that he's playing in New York should allow him to earn more than $300,000 per year on a deal. An interesting new entrant in the NBA shoe endorsement biz is Pony. Sources tell ESPN.com that the retro brand has already signed Julius Hodge (No. 20, Denver) and is looking to get a few more names to bolster the company's efforts.


Also, the "Lil' LeBron", latest trying from Coca-Cola to bring attitude to Sprite, has already seen his appearance decreasing.

When LeBron James signed a deal with Coca-Cola to endorse Sprite, Coke's ad firm Oglivy & Mather created a sidekick for LeBron called Miles Thirst. The character looked exactly like Penny Hardaway's sidekick Lil' Penny. Well, according to Brandweek, Thirst's reign is nearing an end. The trade mag reports that Thirst will have a reduced role.



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Thursday, July 28, 2005

[Basketball] Aoshen in Sacramento

今天的 Sacbee 報導了北京奧神隊在沙加緬度(Sacramento)接受國王球員和教練團指導練習的情況。



已經宣佈將放棄參加 2005/06 賽季大陸 CBA 聯賽的奧神隊,在七月份來美國參加一系列的夏季聯盟比賽和練習。前來沙加緬度之前,他們已經在 Las Vegas 參加了 Global Hoops Summit夏季聯盟的比賽,交戰對手包括了奈及利亞國家隊等隊伍;而在沙加緬度停留之後還會轉往洛杉磯。在國王駐泛亞太圈球探買利嘉(Jack Mai)的居中介紹之下,在沙加緬度停留期間,全隊除了參加國家隊集訓沒有前來美國的孫悅之外,所有球員都接受了包括 Vlade Divac 和 Peja Stojakovic 的示範教學,以及球隊前體能訓練師 Al Biancani 的體能訓練。

從文章當中看起來,Biancani 的體能訓練應該是奧神全隊上下印象最深刻的部份。

"Our bodies have never felt like this before, never," Lai bei Huang, a 6-8 swingman, said through Mai, their translator. "It's a different kind of soreness."

Said Biancani: "What a great group of guys. I wish I had them for eight weeks or eight months. We're trying to show them how to prepare their bodies for competition. They haven't lifted weights before, and they've never seen some of the other things we do to improve as an athlete, but in time, they'll learn how to do all of this."

Aoshen management has videotaped every moment of a workout with the idea of studying it and fleshing out a master workout plan. Players such as 6-8 captain Xin Jin said they can only imagine how much better they will be in several months and years with a new workout plan.

Said Aoshen general manager Da Zang: "The United States is the ideal country to learn from. Back home, basketball doesn't come with a definitive system. I'm very pleased with what I see."<

He's pleased to the point of a possible return next season. Aoshen may take Biancani along to Los Angeles next week.


而在本週五在沙加緬度職業發展聯盟(Sacramento Professional Development League)的友誼賽當中,「前」國王控衛 Bobby Jackson 更將上場充當奧神隊的控球。

"Man, they've got some tall guys who can shoot," Jackson marveled Wednesday. "I hope they're ready to run some more."





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[Kings] Vlade Divac: Always a King

A detailed, accurate and insightful interview on our beloved Vlade the Daddy, written by one of the knowledgeable members on Bleacher Mob Fan Forum. Recommended.

Some of the excerpts worth mentioning:

On the retirement issue:

"It's basically on hold until Sept. 30," Divac said. "That's the day where I have to make a decision and when the Lakers have to make a decision. Before there was speculation, there was another article in the L.A. Times that named like five different options that might happen with me. One of those was obviously retirement, and I guess some people have said they'd like me to retire, including the one that made up the whole issue about it. But Sept. 30 is the day when I'm going to decide."

"(Lakers' General Manager) Mitch Kupchak and I have talked about the various, different things that could happen," Divac said. "I still love basketball in a way where I have to have fun. Money and a contract are in the second plans. When I look back, I had a wonderful career, and I'm happy."

Divac added, though, that if the Lakers attempt to trade him to another club, he will retire.

"The only two places I can play are Sacramento and L.A.," he stated emphatically.


On the after-career plans:

After retirement as a player, Divac has also received strong support to come back to Sacramento from rabid Kings fans who frequent such popular Kings' internet bulletin board sites as kingsfans.com and bleachermob.com. A majority of these fans would like to see Divac return to the Kings' bench, only this time as a coach.

"Yes, I was thinking about that," Divac said. "But I don't like coaching jobs at all. Because usually when you win games, the players win, right? When they lose, they blame the coach. So I don't like that.

"But you know it's a year of experience," he continued, "Maybe I'll do something like that, to be coach or assistant coach, either here or for the Lakers, and just get the feeling. And if I like it, maybe I'll continue it, but (right now) I don't see myself doing it. I'd rather do more with the kids and the community, in some way staying in basketball, but I don't see myself as a coach. Still I can't say 100 percent."

On his fondest memories as a King:

Two very different experiences immediately jumped to his mind.

"The first one is an emotional memory for me personally," Divac said. "In the days where my hometown was bombed (1999 U.S. intervention in Serbia), and the people in Sacramento, the Sacramento fans, really made me feel good about what I do. They gave me support, and I think it was the best year of my career when I played. I don't know how, because I only slept for a couple hours a day, but playing in front of those people made me feel so good. Really good.

"Basketball-wise, it definitely should be the conference finals (2002) against the Lakers where one ball could go either way, and we fell short for the championship when, I believe, we had the championship team."


Funny thing is, the 1st one is also my favorite moment as a Kings fan thus far: the young, wild, "there's no tomorrow" Kings duke it out with the experienced Jazz squad.

The thrill and excitement still hasn't gone as of now.






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Wednesday, July 27, 2005

[Kings] WHAT swIFt...

...this man wearing purple and black, and flying all over ARCO coming next season?




Other than the Hart trade news today, Sacbee finally published the soon-to-be-leaving Bobby Jackson interview.

But what's really intriguing in the interview is this part:
He grew a tad nervous last month when his agent, Andy Miller, relayed a rumor that Memphis was interested in a possible deal involving Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift. But according to Jackson, Swift didn't want to play in Sacramento, ending both the negotiations and, Jackson thought, his short stint as trade bait.

The Kings-Rox matchup next season should be fun...(...if Sacramento could find a tall, legitmate inside player first.)

Other than this, it's all full love and respect about this energized bunny. Just read this excerpt:

Despite the trade, Jackson has decided to hold on to his newly-purchased, two-acre home in Granite Bay while he and his wife shop for a house in Tennessee.

"I ain't gonna be like (former King Chris Webber) and sell everything (in Sacramento)," Jackson said. "The city has been good to me."

And he wants to keep a presence beyond billboards in the Sacramento community, from hosting basketball camps to continuing the charity events that, for some fans, made more of an impression than what Jackson did on the floor.

"It's going to be tough to leave all that stuff behind," Jackson said. "I've just got to move on to a new situation and make the best of it."


Take care, Bobby. You will be deeply missed.



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[Kings] Jason Hart

Here's your backup point guard of the new season.





根據 SacbeeCharlotte Observer 美國時間週三的報導,國王和山貓即將在自由球員市場開市之後達成一筆交易,國王將以一個未來的二輪選秀權交易山貓的控球後衛 Jason Hart

Hart 是山貓隊史上第一個簽下的自由球員,他的合約還剩下兩年 (1,650,000/1,800,000) ,在明年球季結束後將擁有球員選擇權。去年本來被球隊設定為先發控衛的他,後來被球風穩健、助攻能力優秀的老將 Brevin Knight 取代,但 Hart 去年在後場人手因傷所苦的山貓仍然先發了 27 場。

掃除過去球探對他能否勝任控球後衛的疑惑,Hart 去年擁有聯盟第三優秀的助攻失誤比(3.6),同時每場平均有 1.34 次抄截;另外他為人質疑的投籃能力也有所進步(兩分球 44.9% / 三分球 36.8%)。

儘管應該無法提供類似去年 Eddie House 一般越到球季尾聲越準確兇猛的外線火力,但六呎三吋的 Hart 在防守、傳球和對於比賽的理解上應該都是個更好的球員,並且能夠帶來與先發的 Bibby 不一樣的球風。能夠以和百萬階級條款相當的起薪得到 Hart,在目前這個包括 Juan Dixon、Dan Dickau、Tyronn Lue 和 Steve Blake 等二線控球的身價都不斷攀升的自由球員市場裡,應該是相當划算的交易;並且在明年球季結束應該會跳脫合約的他,加上同樣成為自由球員的 Bonzi 和 Peja,能夠帶給球隊更大的薪資空間。

報導裡另外也提到 Petrie 目前將以續簽受限制的自由球員大前鋒 Darius Songaila 為第一要務。

有趣的是,今年暑假以來唯一出現的兩筆非先簽後換自由球員的交易都和國王有關-儘管這和 Petrie 登上各報交易謠言新聞的次數不成比例。


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[Kings] Bonzi the Barbarian (2)

Things would be much better if it's just a drip of saliva.





"Getoutta my way, you %&*^ cracker!"


After the accident, according to Portland Tribune and woai.com, this is just a tip of the iceberg:

Since near the end of last season, Wells has been accused of making racial comments toward white players three times — twice during the course of a game.

NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said he is unaware of such comments by Wells.

“That’s not something that is acceptable in the NBA, but I have never heard this allegation,” said Granik, a member of the league’s front office for more than 20 years. “I’m sure there would be (penalties) if it were true. I can’t say I ever recall such an incident in all my years in the NBA.”

...

Ferry told teammates that Wells had taunted him in games dating to last season, using an expletive preceding the word “honkie” multiple times. And there have been at least two other times when players accused him of using racial epithets to white players.

During an exhibition game in October, Golden State’s Troy Murphy said Wells repeatedly trash-talked him, using the word “cracker.” Murphy, a second-year forward with the Warriors, said Wells leveled the insult at him several times.

And last April, after a Blazer game at Dallas, guard Nick Van Exel said Wells had scoffed at the Mavericks as “a bunch of soft-assed white boys.” The comments, made public by Van Exel, created a stir in Dallas for a day or two, then drifted into oblivion.


Wells denied that he has spit on Ferry.

Wells refused to comment this week. “I’m cool,” he said —the phrase he uses when he chooses not to speak with reporters.

However...

There was at least one witness — Blazer broadcaster Steve Jones, who made mention of it during the telecast.

“Unfortunately, I saw it,” Jones said Tuesday night. “I don’t know what caused it. Nobody does. Usually something happens to precipitate something like that, but I didn’t see anything. All I know is, there’s not a good history between the two guys.”

Ferry has a reputation as being a clutcher and grabber, and he and Wells have had minor altercations in the past. “A lot of people have trouble with the physical way Danny plays,” said Sacramento Kings assistant coach Terry Porter, the longtime Trail Blazer who played three seasons with the Spurs. “Bonzi is known to have a quick trigger. Sometimes, guys test it and try to get under his skin.”

And it ain't finished here.

This week, Doug Zaleski of the Star-Press newspaper in Muncie, Ind., where Wells grew up, wrote a column headlined, “At 26, Bonzi Wells still hasn’t grown up.” Zaleski, a member of his newspaper’s sports staff for 14 years, covered Wells in high school and saw every game Wells played during his career at Ball State. Muncie, a city of about 70,000, is 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Wells continues to make his home there during the offseason.

Among incidents during his pre-NBA years:

  • After his senior year at Muncie Central High, Wells, a runner-up for the state’s “Mr. Basketball” award, was kicked off his Indiana all-star team by unanimous vote of his teammates “because of his selfish attitude,” Zaleski wrote. Wells left the arena at halftime of the first all-star game after an argument with the team’s coach.

  • After his sophomore season, Wells was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. In an interview with the media, Wells said he intended to change his attitude, in part because of guidance from his father.

    “After I got ejected from the Kent State game, my Dad got on me and got me back in line,” Wells said. “I know sometimes I get kind of haywire and this and that, but I’ve got to get over that. I’ve got to realize there are younger kids out there looking up to me. I need to start leading by example and start acting older than I am.”

  • Less than three weeks later, Wells was arrested for domestic battery after a woman accused him of striking her after she refused to have sex with him. According to police reports, the woman suffered scratches on her arms, neck and one leg, and some of her jewelry was broken.

    Wells was jailed briefly, posted $2,000 bond and was released. He claimed that the two had been arguing when the woman started breaking furniture and other items in his apartment. The prosecutor’s office, citing lack of conclusive evidence, chose not to file criminal charges. Wells was not suspended by the school but was ordered to perform community service.

  • As a college junior, Wells stomped off the court after a loss at Central Michigan, then delivered a slap to the head of Central’s Jerry Glover, who had chased him down to shake hands. On the way to the locker room, according to Zaleski, Wells kicked teammate Randy Zachary down a flight of stairs as the two argued.

    In an interview before his senior season, Wells, who had received eight technicals the previous two seasons, pledged better deportment.

    “I watched a lot of films and saw I was acting like an ass out there,” Wells told the Star-Press at the time. “I saw I was jaw-jacking to a referee or doing things that weren’t right for us to do as a team. … I can’t lead the team in technicals, can’t be yelling at teammates or not clapping when I’m on the bench — all that crazy stuff. That’s no leader right there. That’s a crazy person — a Dennis Rodman.”

    But Wells also said this: “People who like me are the people who know about basketball or played the game or understand the game.” Those who don’t, he said, “are probably just new fans who don’t know much about basketball and don’t understand how hard it is on the court.”


    Zaleski’s take on Wells: “He is the typical pampered high school and college athlete you hear about who thinks he can do no wrong. Everybody always bent over backward to make excuses for Bonzi and allow him to do things. He can be a snake charmer. Underneath the bull, there is a softer side, but he chooses not to use it.

    “He can be engaging and funny. Kids from his neighborhood worship him.”



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    [Archive] Gilbert Arenas

    也許你已經習慣於現今 NBA 當中太多新生代球員─不論是 X 世代、Y 世代、
    Z 世代或是吞世代(Tweens)什麼的─和場上高超球技不相符的淺薄心理建設:
    艾佛森(Allen Iverson)早年在費城唯我獨尊的作風;馬布瑞(Stephon Marbury)
    從明尼蘇達到紐澤西和隊友間明顯的沮啎;布萊恩(Kobe Bryant)會在明星賽
    裡叫想幫他單擋的老前輩馬龍(Karl Malone)讓開;瑞奇·戴維斯(Ricky Davis)
    會在比賽快結束時把球往自己這邊的籃框扔過去好湊齊大三元;傑森·威廉斯
    (Jason Williams)會對場邊觀戰的亞裔球迷吐出含有種族歧視的咒罵;亞泰斯
    特(Ron Artest)會對客場球迷比出兩隻中指……

    然而,即使和以上這些光怪陸離的行徑相比,剛成為華盛頓巫師隊新任控球
    後衛,年僅二十一歲的吉爾伯特.亞瑞納斯(Gilbert Arenas)的故事也絲毫
    不會遜色。

    而和大多數新世代球員不一樣的地方是,當許多年輕球員是由於無法適應轉入
    職業後的各項壓力,或是受到隊上老大哥的不良影響等等因素而出現一些言行
    失矩的行為時,亞瑞納斯的一言一行,都只是他在環境磨練下真實性格的呈現。

    而如此球技和性格的結合,也注定要讓亞瑞納斯成為聯盟內另一位令人難忘的
    人物。

    ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

    故事要從亞瑞納斯的父親開始講起。

    亞瑞納斯的父親,老亞瑞納斯(Gilbert Arenas Sr.),曾經打過 1980 年邁
    阿密大學足球隊的中衛,當年這支球隊曾經拿下全國大賽之一的桃盃(Peach Bowl
    )。然而,就像絕大多數新生代非裔美人的故事一樣,亞瑞納斯的父母在他出生
    後很快地就勞燕奔飛─亞瑞納斯在三歲之後只再見過母親一次面─而老亞瑞納斯則
    帶著孩子來到南加州闖天下。

    亞瑞納斯父子兩人在這裡渡過了一段艱辛的歲月。老亞瑞納斯必須到處尋找可能的
    工作機會,他曾當過快遞工人和一些電影與電視影集的臨時演員,而工作時,他都
    必須要把還年幼的亞瑞納斯帶在他的身邊,而沒有固定住所的兩人經常必須在老亞
    瑞納斯的旅行車裡過夜。

    在南加州長大的亞瑞納斯,在高中時已經展現出優異的籃球天賦。他在就讀的葛蘭
    特(Grant)高中校隊擔任球隊的控球後衛,不過更貼切的講法,他應該是這支球
    隊的靈魂。在高中四年球季裡面,他有三年成為所屬聯盟的最佳球員,平均得分更
    是每年飆升,到高四球季,他一場球平均可以拿到 33.4 分。

    然而,也許就像他生平最欽佩的老爸一樣,亞瑞納斯也一直沒有受到和他球技相符
    的重視。他必須要在高三暑假去參加其他學校的夏季聯盟球隊比賽,才能得到更多
    在各大學球探前露臉的機會,而他的老爸甚至要幫他打電話給南加大(USC)和加
    州大學洛杉磯分校(UCLA)等學校自我推銷。

    亞利桑那(Arizona)是當時少數爭取亞瑞納斯的大學之一,而亞瑞納斯在他高中
    畢業後的那個夏天馬上以表現證明亞大做出了正確的選擇。他參加了由喬丹(Michael
    Jordan)在南加州聖塔芭芭拉舉行的籃球夏令營,在那裡,他和許多即將和他一起
    進入 NCAA 的球員交手,甚至也碰過類似布萊恩和紐澤西籃網隊控衛查爾斯(Chris
    Childs)這樣的 NBA 球員,而他的表現仍然能成為全場矚目的焦點,甚至連喬丹都
    曾私下詢問過別人:「這小子是誰?」,而在一旁觀戰的球探之一在看完亞瑞納斯
    的表現後,隔天一早馬上撥電話給亞大教練奧森(Lute Olson):「我看到你球隊
    的下一個巨星了!他就是亞瑞納斯!你一定要把他排進下季的先發陣容!」

    這位球探的話應驗了。亞瑞納斯和另一位新鮮人加德納(Jason Gardner)組成亞
    大 的先發後場,為了配合只有五呎十一吋高專職控球的加德納,亞瑞納斯擔任
    起了球隊的得分後衛,不過更貼切的講法,他應該是成為球隊最好用的一顆活棋。
    儘管只有六呎三吋高、但配合著一雙長臂和優異的速度與運動力,使得亞瑞納斯
    成為球隊的防守專家﹔而當需要時,他也能兼職控球,當然得分也有一手。在新鮮
    人球季亞瑞納斯平均可以得到 15.4 分、4.1 個籃板和 2.1 次助攻﹔而在大二球季,
    亞瑞納斯的各項數據都有更進一步的提升,他在和目前效力籃網隊的搖擺人傑佛
    森(Richard Jefferson)和明尼蘇達灰狼隊中鋒伍茲等人同隊的情況下,仍然拿下
    球隊的得分王,而他的三分球命中率更從原來不滿三成提升到四成二左右,也幫
    助母校一路打進 NCAA 冠軍決賽,才不幸敗給杜克(Duke)大學。

    大二球季結束後,亞瑞納斯決定棄學投身選秀。優異的速度和運動力曾經讓他被
    預測會在首輪中後段被選擇,而參加完各隊測試的亞瑞納斯也信心滿滿。

    直到選秀會當天,當亞瑞納斯在電視機前發現自己直到第三十一順位才被金州勇士
    選擇時,他瞬間明瞭了自己進入聯盟後的第一要務。

    那就是打敗在他前面被選的三十個球員。

    直到今天,當你向亞瑞納斯問起這段往事時,你還是可以很明顯地察覺到他的怨恨
    不平;尤其是那些邀請他去測試卻沒有選擇他的球隊。

    舉例來說,塞爾提克(擁有三個首輪選秀權)?「如果要我選擇聯盟中任一隊我能
    一次拿下一百分的,那就是塞爾提克了。」

    國王(第二十五順位)?「我聽說他們覺得我不會投籃。然後他們選了誰?華勒斯
    (Gerald Wallace)?叫隻猴子來投籃都比他好看。」

    魔術(第十五和二十二順位)?「賽瑟(Jeryl Sasser)?爛透了。」

    而這就是亞瑞納斯的性格─你可以說他目空一切;但他的確有本事讓你啞
    口無言。

    他目前的球衣號碼零號的由來,是因為「0」是許多朋友和好事之徒在得知他選擇
    就讀亞大後告訴他將會在奧森手下得到的上場時間。

    他在新秀球季的第一場熱身賽結束之後,曾經利用麥克風向奧克蘭全場球迷宣布,
    他將會在球季當中就成為勇士隊的先發控衛。

    然而當時對他的狂言搖頭微笑的勇士球迷們不知道的是,他的預言最後的確成真
    了。而也是這個傢伙,成為了改變自「Run TMC」以來就持續積弱不振的勇士形象
    的最大原因。

    在剛結束的這個球季,效力聯盟第二年的亞瑞納斯八十二場全勤先發,平均得到
    18.3 分、6.3 次助攻、4.7 個籃板和 1.5 次抄截。除了榮獲聯盟最佳進步獎之
    外,更重要的是,亞瑞納斯帶領這支球隊戰績由去年的二十一勝進步到今年的三
    十六勝,這個十五勝的進步幅度是聯盟所有球隊之冠。

    然而同時,亞瑞納斯的奇特性格也讓他經常能夠成為鎂光燈下的焦點。

    以下是一些例子。

    *在今年二月五日一場對上馬刺的例行賽當中,半場時馬刺以 65:49 領先﹔而
    上半場只得四分的亞瑞納斯在半場休息時把更衣室裡的一張椅子用力地摔到牆
    上,把牆壁打了個大洞。亞瑞納斯接著去沖了個冷水澡,而且沒有脫掉身上的
    衣褲和鞋子。
     
    「下半場開始的時候,我全身還冷的打哆嗦。」亞瑞納斯賽後說。
     
    他在下半場得到二十四分─包括第四節的十五分,直到在比賽倒數 1.6 秒
    犯滿為止。

    「他們(亞瑞納斯的隊友們)都覺得我瘋了。」亞瑞納斯說。「也許我真的瘋了
    也不一 定。」

    *在今年二月十九日作客波特蘭面對拓荒者隊的比賽當中,儘管身為控衛的亞
    瑞納斯得到二十二分和五次助攻,勇士仍然以 98:125 慘敗﹔而身為球隊
    得分王的傑米森上場十六分鐘更只出手兩次,一分未得。

    而在這場大敗之後,傑米森向前來採訪的記者們暗示他在場上沒有得到足夠
    的出手機會﹔而在得知這段談話之後,亞瑞納斯決定要在下一場比賽改頭換面。

    於是在兩天後出戰尼克隊的比賽當中,亞瑞納斯在場上決定絕不出手投籃,當
    起稱職的控球後衛:在這場比賽的前四十二分鐘,身為球隊第二得分手的亞瑞
    納斯只出手一次,而且這次出手是因為進攻時限即將結束,球又剛好在他手上
    ,他才勉強丟了一個三分球。

    勇士總教練馬索曼(Eric Musselman)賽前並不知道他球隊先發控衛的天才想
    法,然而隨著比賽的進行,他和全場一萬六千多名觀眾都開始意識到亞瑞納斯
    的瘋狂企圖﹔而直到比賽還剩下六分半鐘時─當時勇士還落後尼克九分─馬索
    曼終於按耐不住了。在場邊的他開始向亞瑞納斯大喊:「你到底要開始得分了
    沒?」

    而彷彿聽到呼喚超人求救信號的亞瑞納斯,開始當起了球隊的救世主。他在比
    賽剩下的六分半鐘獨得十四分,包括在倒數十七秒時切過史普利威爾(Latrell
    Sprewell)的防守上籃得分,把領先差距擴大成三分,也奠定了勝利的基礎。

    賽後,還是有些困惑的馬索曼搖著頭表示:「亞瑞納斯今晚在傳球助攻上表現
    很棒……我覺得他今晚在供輸隊友攻勢方面表現近乎完美。」

    「當然,我們不介意他可以再出手更多次一點。」「這只是我自己想出來的點子。」
    亞瑞納斯則說。「你必須要有足夠的膽量才敢做這樣的嘗試─在比賽的前三節半一
    分不得,而後在關鍵時刻還能夠掌控比賽。」

    *在三月下旬的一個晚上,當勇士傳奇射手,目前擔任球隊助理教練的穆林
    (Chris Mullin)剛在健身房活動完筋骨準備回家的時候,他不經意地瞧見
    了還有人留在球場裡練習。

    趨前一探究竟的穆林,發現了那原來是亞瑞納斯正在彈簧床上和球隊吉祥物
    ─雷霆(Thunder)超人─練習利用彈簧床扣籃。

    結果,在下一場和華盛頓巫師隊的比賽當中,亞瑞納斯在生涯最後一次前來
    奧克蘭作客的喬丹面前拿下了破個人職業生涯新高的四十一分,並且幫助球
    隊獲勝。
     
    「這對我來講有很特殊的意義。」亞瑞納斯賽後說。「記得當我第一次參加他
    (喬丹)舉辦的籃球訓練營,我在第一個晚上也得了差不多四十幾分。現在能
    在和他最後一次交手時得到四十分,這對我來說將會是一段很特別的回憶。」

    也許在季後頒發給他聯盟年度最佳進步獎獎座的穆林這段話說得最好:「他(亞
    瑞納斯)一直知道自己是怎麼樣的球員,而他也不怕告訴別人自己到底有多棒。」

    至於亞瑞納斯自己,在得到這個獎座時只說:「我並不覺得自己今年有很大的進
    步……」

    「只要我還在聯盟裡的一天,我都會隨時注意那三十個比我先被選上的同梯。這
    是鼓勵我成長的動力。」

    而今年暑假成為受限制自由球員的亞瑞納斯,儘管在勇士球迷的強力慰留之下,最
    後仍然選擇了能給他最多薪資的華盛頓巫師隊。而不管這個選擇在大多數球迷眼中
    正確與否,你必須承認的是巫師這張總價六年六千四百萬美金的合約,和自老闆波
    林(Abe Pollin)、總管格朗菲德(Ernie Grunfeld)到新任總教練艾迪.喬丹
    (Eddie Jordan)球隊上下全力爭取加盟的動作,的確是亞瑞納斯這個生涯一直渴
    望得到他人肯定的小子最需要的東西。

    而儘管從韋伯(Chris Webber)、霍華(Juwan Howard)到最近剛退休的麥可.
    喬丹,波林和旗下的大牌球星一向不能好聚好散,不過在塑造目前籃網半場進攻模
    式的新教練艾迪.喬丹的帶領下,身為控衛的亞瑞納斯想必將會擁有更多進攻上的
    自主權;而你也許也可以期待他的明星氣質和奇特性格,能為這幾年相較之下略顯
    星光黯淡的東區,增添更多豐富的色彩。




    (*)原文刊載於 2003 年九月號的 SLAM 國際中文版。此處文字勢必將和付印定稿有所差異。

    個人將保留對本文的一切權利。嚴禁在未經許可的情況下任意複製、使用或剽竊全文,違者將必須負擔所有可能的法律責任。


    Link to Whole Post

    Tuesday, July 26, 2005

    [Beauty] Alicia Witt




    Clever. Confident. Charming. Bewitching. Seducing.

    In these extraordibary moments, she is everything.




    In the movie "Vanilla Sky".










    "Do you know what I like even more than chess?"
    "Pokemon?"



    "Strip Chess."






    The hat she wear cost somewhere near $2,700,000 USD.











    Recent Stage Play in London:







    Last, but definitely not the least:






    There's just no need to say anything about her after those pictures; but if you are interested, here and here are the brief biographies about her.


    Link to Whole Post

    [Kings] Bonzi the Barbarian (1)

    Before welcome him with open arms (although many of the fans are still busy crying about the loss of Greg Ostertag...oh well), guess it won't hurt to give this Bonzi guy a little bit of background check...Or it will.






















    Like what they said in Memphis: Out with the bad, in with the good.
    (or exactly the opposite?)


    Wells, Trail Blazers spit out Spurs


    San Antonio Express-News

    By Johnny Ludden

    Web Posted : 11/10/2002 12:00 AM

    David Robinson didn't see the projectile leave Bonzi Wells' mouth. But he heard it.

    When he saw saliva dripping off Danny Ferry, Robinson didn't need his math degree to put two and two together.

    "It was pretty straight forward after that," Robinson said. "That was some pretty tasteless stuff."

    Unfortunately for the Spurs, their aim wasn't nearly as good as Wells'. In a game that ended with Ferry claiming Wells spit in his face, the Spurs missed 43 of 70 shots and committed 19 turnovers as Portland rolled to a 95-76 victory Saturday night at the SBC Center.

    "We got our behinds kicked and we got spit on," Malik Rose said. "But that's OK, we ain't dead. We'll be back."

    The loss was the Spurs' worst since they fell 112-88 on Feb. 23 last season to Minnesota at the Alamodome. A soldout crowd of 18,781 was on hand for Saturday's blowout, but few — if any — people knew what caused the fourth-quarter dustup between Ferry and Wells until after the game.

    According to the Spurs, Wells spit on Ferry midway through the final quarter after the Trail Blazers opened up a 16-point lead. The officials didn't see the incident and Ferry was hit with a technical when he started jawing with Wells.

    "The next time down the floor," Ferry was overheard telling Wells, "I'm going to hit you."

    Ferry continued to yell at Wells after the technical and was called for a personal foul on him five second later. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told Ferry to cool down, then pulled him out of the game. The two had a heated exchange on the sideline with Ferry pleading with Popovich to leave him on the floor so he could retaliate.

    "It's really a shame when you have somebody that decides the best way to compete is to spit on somebody else," said Popovich, who discussed the incident with Portland coach Maurice Cheeks after the game. "In that sense I think Bonzi Wells really showed a lack of class spitting on another player. I can't imagine why there's any room for that any place in the game. Go knock somebody, play your ass off, but that's absolutely ridiculous."

    Wells denied he spit on Ferry.

    "I don't know what's up with Danny Ferry; I think he's just got a problem with me," said Wells, who was involved in altercation with Ferry last season. "I don't have no problem with Danny Ferry. I think he's a good guy and I don't know why he's got it in for me.

    "I think he's just one of those guys who wants to go out there to make me lose my head a little. This is my fifth year, so I guess I'm a little smarter now to stay out of that stuff."


    Though Ferry — who had left the locker room by the time the media was allowed in — was upset he didn't get a chance to even matters with Wells, the Spurs believed Popovich was wise to get him off the court.

    "We're short as it is," Rose said. "We have guys banged up and the guys we have playing, they're not too healthy. We just couldn't lose another guy for two or three more games.

    "I think Pop made the right decision. But that's a difficult pill for Danny to swallow."

    Said Steve Kerr: "Danny was mad at himself that he didn't just go after (Wells) right there."

    The incident overshadowed a loss in which the Spurs allowed a Blazers' team that was 2-4 entering Saturday to shoot 51.4 percent. Tim Duncan was held to 16 points and six rebounds.

    "Half the time we couldn't even execute an out of bounds play," Robinson said. "We just made stupid mistakes.

    "This fuels up a rivalry. We'll see them three more times and the games will be spirited."


    Link to Whole Post

    [Archive] 你所不知道的甜心射手─Predrag Stojakovic

    你知道他叫做佩賈.史托亞科維奇(Peja Stojakovic,後簡稱佩賈),生得一
    副討人喜歡的娃娃臉,又高又準的白人射手。你可能也知道他是連續兩屆聯盟
    三分球大賽的冠軍,今年比賽的時候,聯盟可能擔心佩賈太準讓比賽沒有什麼
    競爭性,還特別在他爭冠軍的那一輪投籃中途就按鈴,另外又派球童把他投出
    去掉在地上的球再往籃框丟,結果……佩賈最後還是在加賽中把冠軍抱走,雖
    然隨後前來訪問的電視台記者還特別問他:「佩賈,如果有機會的話你願不願
    意重新嘗試那一記三分球?」

    那一記或許可以讓國王拿下去年西區冠軍的三分球。

    你也許不知道的是,在宛若天使的臉龐下,其實佩賈也經歷過你難以想像的艱
    苦歲月。而比起成名後所帶來的種種物質享受,也許佩賈更希望的會只是親人
    的平安快樂。

    ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

    佩賈和他的哥哥南伊德(Nenad),出生在克羅埃西亞的波仁佳(Pozega)-
    當然,那個時候它還是前南斯拉夫的一部分,直到 1991 年南國內戰,國家分
    裂為止。從一出生,南伊德的腎臟功能就嚴重失調,他無法正常排尿,這導致
    腎臟發炎和各種慢性病,而唯一拯救他的方法是換腎手術。1991 那一年,年
    僅十四歲的佩賈和他的家人們發現自己辛苦建立的家園在內戰中被摧毀,他們
    只能逃難到前南斯拉夫的首都貝爾格勒(Belgrade)。

    流亡的歲月是艱苦的,尤其當你還需要照顧像南伊德這樣的病人的時候,而佩
    賈的球技是他們唯一的希望。早在他們還住在波仁佳時,佩賈就在籃球場上學
    習著他珍藏的錄影帶裡喬丹(Michael Jordan)和北卡大學出戰前南斯拉夫國
    家隊當中球員的每一個動作。六呎九吋的身高和準確的外線讓佩賈很難在球場
    上被忽略,一位貝爾格勒紅星隊(Red Star)的教練邀請他進入他們的少年隊
    。兩年之後,年僅十六歲的佩賈收到了來自希臘的歐洲頂級球隊 PAOK 一份五
    年的合約邀請。

    儘管他在希臘的前兩年完全不能上場比賽─內戰不斷讓所有運動協會都對南斯
    拉夫的球員發出禁制令,使得他必須成為希臘公民─佩賈仍然毫不後悔自己的
    決定。這份合約讓他的家人在希臘開始了新生活,更重要的是,在 1996 年的
    一次練球當中,他的球技讓一位當時前來訓練中心參觀的美國人驚為天人。

    他的名字叫做傑夫.派崔(Geoff Petrie),當時沙加緬度國王隊的總管。

    1996 年六月二十六日,當聯盟總裁史登(David Stern)在選秀會的第十四順
    位費力地唸出佩賈的名字時,聚集在亞哥球場(ARCO Arena)外面等待選秀結
    果的球迷們立刻以連串的噓聲,讓派崔瞭解到他們有多麼不滿意這個決定。在
    剛結束的球季當中,沙加緬度的球迷在等待了九年之後終於看到球隊首次打進
    季後賽,終於一解飢渴的球迷對於未來有更大的期望,他們心目中理想的人選
    是該年幫助雪城大學打進 NCAA 冠軍決賽的前鋒約翰.華勒斯(John Wallace)﹔
    而如今球隊卻選了這個不知道從哪裡冒出來的十九歲南斯拉夫小伙子?

    球迷們不滿的情緒在得知佩賈由於合約問題暫時不會來球隊報到之後更加高
    漲。而派崔在了解當初自己得到了錯誤的資訊,以為佩賈將可以立即和國王
    簽約之後,在接下來的兩個球季裡面,他成了不斷來往美國和希臘兩邊的空
    中飛人,和佩賈的母隊 PAOK 磋商放人的事宜。

    在當時,很少有人能瞭解和諒解派崔的耐心和努力。他擁有一個吝嗇的老闆
    湯瑪斯(John Thomas),他的球隊之後有連續兩個令人失望的球季,而球迷
    們也在 1998 年終止了他們連續超過五百場讓亞哥球場滿場的紀錄。而儘管
    這只是幾年前的事情,但當時和歐洲球隊洽談買斷事宜對大部分的球隊來說
    還像是上天竺取經一樣陌生而困難。

    衝突是難以避免的。當時和派崔一起前往希臘洽談的律師瑪汀娜(Matina
    Kolokotronis)回憶,雙方球隊的代表經常會為一點小細節爭的面紅耳赤
    ,連她都會激動到當面向對方代表破口大罵。所有人當中,只有派崔從不失
    去他的冷靜,永遠自持地獨坐在角落。

    並不只有派崔面臨艱難的考驗。佩賈也是。

    1996 年的冬天,佩賈在一場希臘聯盟的季後賽當中一次無人防守下快攻上
    籃,下來時卻不慎摔了一跤,只聽到「喀擦」清脆的一聲,接著就是佩賈痛
    苦的倒在地板上,腳踝和小腿彎曲而成的角度令人怵目驚心。他摔斷了自己
    的右腿。「這是我生平看過最嚴重、最可怕的運動傷害。」當時和佩賈同隊
    的前魔術隊控衛和前太陽隊總教練史蓋爾斯(Scott Skiles)說。

    佩賈懷疑這並不是一件單純的意外。他認為 PAOK 的隊醫讓他服用了過多的
    止痛劑,多到當佩賈親眼看到彎曲的小腿和腳踝時才明瞭大事不妙了─而隊
    醫們之前只告訴他這是單純的肌肉拉傷。

    從某種意義上來說,派崔很像是佩賈在美國的父親。他安排佩賈前來沙加緬
    度復健,足足有兩個月,每天早上派崔都親自開車接送佩賈到體育館。而也
    是派崔用他的恆心和熱誠打動了佩賈的父親,讓他放心把全家唯一的希望交
    到這個大西洋彼岸的陌生人手上。在兩人語言不通的情況下,是佩賈以他當
    時破爛的英文成為了雙方的翻譯。你可以想像佩賈夾在他們兩人中間的滑稽
    場景。

    復健成功的佩賈在 1997-98 球季以平均 23.9 分和 4.9 個籃板的成績當
    選了希臘聯盟最有價值球員,隨著五年合約期滿,佩賈了解他的下一步將是挑
    戰全球水準最高的職業籃球聯賽,實現他童年以來的夢想。

    然而這一切並不如他想像中的順利。佩賈遇上了聯盟的封館事件,所有人
    ─包括派崔,對此都無計可施,只能等待。隨著勞資雙方談判進展並不順
    利,新球季有可能被迫取消,佩賈當初放棄穩定高薪的希臘聯盟而選擇 NBA
    的決定曾經看起來愚不可及。

    而當封館球季終於確定開打後,來到美國的佩賈又發現自己必須面對許多
    的考驗。除了語言和環境適應問題之外,在球隊裡,他也從一位希臘聯盟
    的 MVP 變成多數時間必須在板凳上替隊友加油的後補球員。而在短暫能夠
    上場的時間裡,佩賈也發現自己還無法適應強調肌肉和速度的美式球風。

    幸運的是,他擁有一位最能同理他初到異鄉雨露風霜的隊友─中鋒伏拉迪
    .狄瓦茲(Vlade Divac)。如果說派崔像是佩賈在美國的父親,那同樣來
    自前南斯拉夫的狄瓦茲就像是他最好的老大哥。不論在場內場外,早在 1990
    年就踏上美國國土的狄瓦茲總能用他經驗積累的智慧和樂天寬厚的性格,
    讓佩賈盡快融入新環境的一切;而同樣來自前南國的兩人,也逐漸培養出相
    濡以沫的情感。

    1999 年季後賽時正逢北約組織轟炸前南斯拉夫,心繫祖國的狄瓦茲每晚都
    和親人通電話而難以成眠﹔在佩賈的支持和鼓勵下,狄瓦茲方能夠堅定意志
    帶領球隊對抗爵士隊。而當佩賈以替補身分結束他在國王的第一個球季之後
    ,曾失望地動過回歐洲發展的念頭﹔此時也是狄瓦茲以過來人的身分勸告佩
    賈要持續苦練,等待機會。佩賈當時暗自決定,無論後來結果如何,他至少
    會在美國履行完這份還剩兩年的新秀合約,之後如果還是不能在聯盟內有穩
    定的發展,那他就會回到歐洲打球。

    結果,事實證明佩賈短期之內應該是回不去了。因為這個從小在波仁佳街道
    上邊打球邊幻想自己有朝一日能進 NBA 的孩子,變成了這個全世界最高水準
    的職籃聯盟裡面最準的射手之一。

    一手將佩賈帶來美國的派崔,在佩賈來到美國的第三年給了他一張六年,合
    計四千五百萬美金的合約。這筆錢讓佩賈得以在沙加緬度最高級的生活區幫
    全家添購一間高級住宅,他同時還替父母在貝爾格勒也買了一間房子。而佩
    賈近三年平均 20 分、5 個籃板和兩度成為全明星球員的表現,也讓四年內
    兩度榮獲聯盟最佳行政人員的派崔再添一筆光輝紀錄。

    看著全家終於安定下來,佩賈應該是再滿足也不過了﹔然而,此時他一直以來
    最擔心的事情卻發生了。佩賈的哥哥南伊德接受捐贈的腎臟在 1999 年底開始
    失去作用,這代表著他急需再度接受新的換腎手術,否然生命可能隨時危在旦
    夕。

    佩賈發現有些事情並不是有錢就一定能夠解決得了。和南伊德一樣急需換腎的
    病人還有很多,因此他們只能耐心的等待。在他哥哥病情重新開始惡化的那個
    聖誕節,佩賈除了練習和比賽之外沒有離開過南伊德的病床一步,如此的心力煎
    熬也明顯影響了佩賈在那一段時間球場上的表現。而在球季當中,只要佩賈留
    在沙加緬度的時間,他都會儘可能地帶著南伊德到醫學中心作例行性的身體檢
    查,即使一次可能要花上好幾個小時。

    「我從沒和南伊德說過像是『我愛你』之類的話。我們是男人。」佩賈一次在
    被問到他和南伊德之間的情感時笑著說。「但是他知道我有多關心他的身體狀
    況。他知道我希望他能趕快得到一顆新的腎臟,從此能過著正常人的生活。」

    去年夏天佩賈終於能夠放下心中的這塊大石頭。一位來自南斯拉夫的朋友捐贈
    給南伊德一顆腎臟,自此之後,他的健康有了明顯的起色。而從另一方面來說
    ,這也幫助了佩賈能夠更專注於球場上的表現。

    無論佩賈是否搞砸了那個致勝三分球的機會,你可以確定的是,沙加緬度的鄉
    親父老們都深愛著他。現在沒有人會再去提起約翰.華勒斯的名字,他們只知
    道這個來自前南斯拉夫,在國王從青澀到發光發熱的小伙子是球隊未來的希望
    。韋伯(Chris Webber)也許是全隊最重要的、也是最優秀的球員,但佩賈絕
    對是全沙加緬度球迷最鍾愛的孩子。

    而至於沙加緬度以外的球迷呢?佩賈西區冠軍賽第七場第四節那個關鍵的三分
    麵包也許永遠都會在他們記憶裡揮之不去,然而同時他們所不知道的是,是佩
    賈在 2001 年季後賽第一輪第四戰拿下的 37 分,幫助國王這支球隊拿下睽違
    二十年以來的第一次季後賽系列戰勝利﹔而也是佩賈在 2002 年季後賽第一輪
    第四戰拿下的 30 分,幫助國王擊敗難纏的爵士晉級第二輪。而今年季後賽第
    二輪面對小牛的第三場比賽,失去韋伯的國王也是在佩賈的 39 分帶領下,和
    小牛苦戰到二度延長才敗北。

    如果你還會質疑佩賈在重要比賽的心理素質,不要忘記了在這兩年,他連續幫
    祖國前南斯拉夫拿下了一個歐洲冠軍和一個世界冠軍。他在兩項賽事都是球隊
    的得分王,並且是歐洲籃球錦標賽的最有價值球員。

    簡而言之,他不僅是一位準確的射手,更是近年來世界籃壇最成功的球員之一。

    而如果你向佩賈問起這個三分球─不需要憐憫他,他已經因為這個麵包球被隊
    友折磨幾千次了─的話,他只會緩慢地、堅定地告訴你:「如果我又一次身歷
    其境,我一定還是會出手。並且我期待著這一天的到來。」

    So do I.



    *)原文刊載於 2003 年八月號的 SLAM 國際中文版。此處文字勢必將和付印定稿有所差異。

    今後在 [Archive] 欄位將會放置個人過去在不同平面或電子媒體刊載的文章。


    個人將保留對本文的一切權利。嚴禁在未經許可的情況下任意複製、使用或剽竊全文,違者將必須負擔所有可能的法律責任。


    Link to Whole Post

    Monday, July 25, 2005

    [Kicks] Auburn Football ditch Nike for New Balance



    They used to say they are Endorsed by No One, but now maybe it's time to sneak into the coliseum and be the David.

    Tigers ditch Nike for New Balance

    Friday, July 22, 2005

    CHARLES GOLDBERG

    News staff writer

    AUBURN -- Nike's calling with a request. Could somebody please tell Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to quit taping up their football shoes? They're covering up the Swoosh, and everybody knows you're not supposed to cover up the Swoosh.

    The Swoosh is supposed to be in every photo. It's the logo. It's money. It's corporate America.

    But players like "spatting up" their shoes. It's a fashion statement. Plus, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said he would not risk an ankle, foot or leg injury for a logo. So the university and Nike parted ways.

    This season, the university and a different shoe company have come together in a new venture.

    Auburn will be the only team in the country wearing New Balance football cleats, as the shoe manufacturer gets into the world of big-time college football.

    New Balance sold Tuberville on what it says is a new idea to fit each player individually, and that it could provide a new, wider shoe for today's bigger athletes. Tuberville was also intrigued by the idea of being just a little bit different.

    "Having Auburn wear them is going to launch the whole program for us," said Kent Richard, an associate product manager for New Balance. "We've given them a lot of attention."

    New Balance is providing some 400 shoes, including football shoes, training shoes and lifting shoes, and almost all are individually fitted. New Balance isn't giving the university a traditional shoe contract and Auburn gets no endorsement money, but New Balance provides a virtually endless supply of shoes. Nike provided a limited number of free shoes and nominal endorsement money because Auburn's primary apparel contract is with Russell Athletics.

    "Almost every other Division I program gets paid quite a bit to wear their shoes," Richard said. "Coach Tuberville just wanted shoes that fit the best.

    "Auburn is going to be our main focus - learning with them and launching with them. We're changing the model. It's really about the shoes."

    New Balance is getting in the market with this selling point: The widest fitted shoes in the business. There are the standard sizes, to be sure, but there's also the 18EEEE boat.

    Auburn's biggest shoes: 16EEs, worn by three players.

    "You just don't go pull one out of the box," Tuberville said.

    "These big guys," Richard said, "have never been fitted very well."

    New Balance will use Auburn as its prototype team, whether it's fitting a foot or in marketing. But the company is hardly a neophyte in the shoe business. It has made all sorts of athletic shoes for more than 40 years.

    "Everybody knows New Balance has had the top of the line running and walking shoe," Tuberville said. Now, it's going to see how it fares against Nike, Reebok and Adidas in football.

    Richard said New Balance has made a "huge investment" in making Auburn its first football school.

    "A lot of people questioned why we got in this market," Richard said. "It's not that big of a market and it's dominated by the Big Three. But we decided to bring in a different story. We wanted to fit these bigger athletes. We're finding a huge need in the marketplace."

    New Balance has already custom fit each Tigers player. Auburn began wearing the shoes in the spring.

    And Richard said he would not get upset if the running backs tape over the logos again.

    "That's not our style," he said.


    Link to Whole Post

    [Voyage] Williamsport (1)

    出發的前幾天,心情異常的燥動和不安,不過並不是因為要出國帶一群孩子和不成熟的大人的壓力,比較多更像是井底之蛙要脫離自己固定生長環境之前的自然反應。

    辛苦的拖著兩大箱行李(一直被父母認為太多),在出發前一晚來到了劍潭活動中心。除了北上辦理美簽之外,之前和這群剛拿下亞洲冠軍的球員們並沒有任何相處的機會,因此有些擔心這批孩子們會根本不聽我的話。不過實地住進他們的通鋪之後,這個疑慮就差不多消失了。孩子們一眼看過去都蠻可愛的,而且至少在教練面前表現的都很乖。大部分的孩子都在忙著玩或是看人家玩 Gameboy,而後來也證明這是他們最大的休閒娛樂。

    住進通鋪裡已經晚上十點左右了,但沒有孩子準備睡覺,大家(包括助理教練)都在等著看十一點半開始的中加之戰。賽前,我懷抱著有點忐忑不安的心情和年輕的教練與一些孩子有一搭沒一搭的聊天,順便認識彼此。助理教練是球隊總教練的大兒子,今年只有二十出頭,皮膚黝黑身材削瘦,標準的運動員體格,而且對我出奇的友善,也許是覺得我是他們在國外重要的倚靠吧。孩子們則都在忙著打 Gameboy,唯一跟我比較有聊上的是球隊的隊長。吸收了前人的經驗,我特別先囑咐這個看起來比較聰明的小孩要幫我確實作好清查人數和行李的工作,他也乖乖的點頭稱是。

    期待的棒球賽結果想必大家都知道的。全隊所有人都不敢相信鄭兆行會漏接那個小飛球。由於比賽太悶,打完四局大家就熄燈睡覺了。

    第二天早上一起床,就是一連串忙碌、奔波和折衝的開始。

    從要整隊離開活動中心開始,我就了解了自己的處境。隨隊的大人們﹣包括總教練,主任和老師們﹣沒有人真正願意去管理這批孩子,也沒有人會在突發狀況發生時願意負起責任。除了和孩子們比較親近,類似他們大哥哥的助理教練會幫忙照料之外,其他人唯一會做的,就是在自己看不下去時出來喊個幾聲,或是在旁邊七嘴八舌的出主意。我很快的發現自己不知道該聽哪個大人的話,因為所有人都只會出自己的主意;然後,我卻要扛起一切的責任,因為當大人們看不下去時,就會把矛頭指到我的身上。

    我不願意身處在這樣的位置,但看起來並沒有太大的選擇;我也不願意參與到他們這種對我來說十分奇怪的人際網路當中,這讓我極力擺脫任何一切可能跟大人們變熟的機會。從這個時候開始,我就已經決定要讓自己身處在不和任何人(或勢力)太過親近的位置,而讓自己儘可能的保持中立,除了這批我職責所在要照顧的孩子之外,我不願意對任何人投注太多的感情。

    來到中正國際機場之後,經過一陣手忙腳亂(跟旅行社的張小姐(**)忙著推行李過磅)和吆嚇怒吼(教練:那個翻譯怎麼不趕快來走在球隊最前面!你要帶領球隊ㄟ!)之後,我們終於上了西北的客機。

    瀏覽過了日文報紙,我望著窗外一覽無際的白雲,想像著待會即將降落國度的面貌。

    飛機即將放下降落架,地面景物逐漸清晰,而你已經可以察覺到截然不同的氛圍。儘管從小到大充滿了對於這個國度的想像和側面了解,但實地踏上這塊土地,親身接觸的感受是無與倫比的。井然有序的建設、衣著整齊入時的女仕、和一種融合著纖細、謹慎與神經質的氣味,即使到今天,這種感受和氣味彷彿還是歷歷在目。

    我們在有點狹小的成田機場尋找著轉機的登機門,然後發現我們遇上了來自塞班島的孩子們。準備搭乘同一班飛機前往紐約的兩軍戰士們熱情的問候彼此,但我最訝異的是,完全語言不通的總教練,竟然也能和貌似土著的塞班島教練們迅速的打成一片…(直到我們來到威廉波特之後,我才明白,能和外國人們迅速地變熟應該是我們總教練與生俱來的天賦吧。)

    與此同時我在和塞班島的教練 Tony 聊天。面貌憨厚膚色黝黑身材微胖的 Tony,和一般的塞班人一樣討人喜歡,不像一般心機深重的台灣人,是讓人可以放心聊天的對象。Tony 久聞台灣少棒的威名,他十分看好我們能夠重拾冠軍獎盃,他也直言這次帶這批孩子來到威廉波特最大的目的,是在於突破預賽,並且讓孩子們見見世面。

    當我們聊的正愉快的同時,有小朋友來向我求救了。原來身上只帶美金的小朋友,拿著美金和機場商店買口香糖,結果被找錯錢。在這裡我了解到了一般日本人畏懼說英文的人的情況,當我想用英文和櫃台小妹溝通時,不只是她,幾乎店裡所有的店員都向我搖頭,之後躲到一邊去。最後我是在比手畫腳的情況下,跟好像已經有點生氣的店員妹找回零錢的;與此同時,一旁的老店員還一直擔心的問:「大丈夫?大丈夫?」

    經過了這些折騰,我們總算要前往美國了。



    (*)對於不知道前因後果的參觀者,這一系列是個人在去年八月十六日至三十一日以棒協隨隊翻譯的身分帶領高雄縣壽天國小前往賓州威廉波特參加世界少棒錦標賽的見聞感想。

    相關的人事時地物將隱去真名。個人將儘可能的嘗試以不含偏見的觀點分享經驗,儘管事實上那是不可能的事情。


    (**)旅行社的張小姐是在行前幫助我這個隨隊翻譯菜鳥最多的人之一,在此僅致上微不足道的謝意。

    關於行前的準備也有很多有趣的事情,也許有朝一日會把它們寫出來。


    Link to Whole Post

    [Kicks] Nike Air Max retro CM by onesize

    Go check it yourself. Similar idea has been appeared in the Huarache 2K4 CM too.

    Still a killer.


    Link to Whole Post

    [Jersey] Funky Messy Quirky Goofy Jerseys

    The most useless clothings in our empty and pathetic lifetime.

    (Name/Size/Team/Color/Company/Condition:New-Mint-Fair-Good-Flawed-Bad)

    A

    Allen, Ray/
    L/Sonics/Yellow-Green (Retro)/Nike/Flawed
    44/Bucks/Purple/Champion/Fair

    Augmon, Stacy/40/Hawks/Black-Red-Yellow (with Hawks)/Champion/Mint

    B

    Barkley, Charles/44/Suns/Purple-Orange/Champion/Fair
    Barry, Brent/40/Clippers/Red/Champion/Good

    Barry, Jon/44/Kings/Black/Champion/New (Autographed)

    Barry, Rick/M/Warriors/Yellow/Reebok/New

    Bibby, Mike/
    XXL/Kings/Black-Blue (Retro)/Nike/New
    48/Kings/Purple (Before 03')/Champion/Good
    L/Arizona/Black-Red/Nike/Mint

    Bird, Larry/
    M/Celtics/Green/Reebok/New
    M/Celtics/White/Reebok/New

    Bodiroga, Dejan/XL/Yugoslavia/Blue-Red//Good

    Brandon, Terrell/44/Cavs/Black-Blue/Champion/Flawed



    C

    Chamberlain, Wilt/M/76ers/Blue/Reebok/New

    Chapman, Rex/
    48/Suns/Orange-Purple/Champion/Fair
    /M/Kentucky/Gray-Blue/Nike/Mint


    D

    Delk, Tony/44/Kentucky/Blue-White/Champion/Fair

    Divac, Vlade/XL/Yugoslavia/Blue/Champion/Fair

    Douglas, Sherman/L/Syracuse/Orange/Nike/New


    E

    Ehlo, Craig/40/Cavs/White/Champion/Fair


    G

    Garcia, Jeff/XL/Lithuania/Colored (92' Barcelona Olympics)/Liquid Blue/Good

    Ginobili, Manu/L/Argentina/Blue-White Stripe/Topper/New

    Gugliotta, Tom/44/Timberwolves/Black/Starter/Fair


    H

    Hardaway, Tim/44/Warriors/Blue-Light Yellow/Champion/Flawed

    Havlicek, John/L/Celtics/Green/Reebok/New

    Hill, Grant/
    48/Pistons/Blue/Champion/Flawed
    44/Pistons/Green/Nike/New

    Hurley, Bobby/44/Kings/White/Champion/Fair


    I

    Ilgauskas, Zydrunas/48/Cavs/Black-Blue/Champion/Fair


    J

    Jackson, Bobby/L/Kings/White/Nike/New

    James, LeBron/
    L/Cavs/White (71' Retro)/Nike/New
    40/Cavs/Yellow-Red & White Grid (71' Retro)/Reebok/New

    Johnson, Kevin/44/Suns/Orange-Purple/Champion/Good


    K

    Kersey, Jerome/48/Blazers/Red-Black/Champion/Fair

    Kidd, Jason/44/Mavs/Blue-Green/Champion/Fair


    M

    Maravich, Pete/
    L/Celtics/Green (79'-80')/Throwback/Fair
    48/Hawks/White (74' Retro)/Mitchell & Ness/New
    48/Jazz/Purple/Champion/Good
    Yth XL/Hawks/Blue-White & Green Stripe/Reebok/New

    Mashburn, Jamal/40/Mavs/Blue-Green/Champion/Good

    Maxwell, Vernon/44/Rockets/Red-Yellow/Champion/Fair

    Miller, Reggie/
    40/Pacers/Dark Blue-Yellow/Champion/Fair
    M/Pacers/Blue-Yellow Stripe (88' Retro)/Reebok/New

    Mullin, Chris/
    48/Warriors/Blue-Light Yellow/Champion/Flawed
    /M/St. John/Red/Nike/New

    Murphy, Troy/L/Warriors/Orange/Reebok/Mint


    O

    Odom, Lamar/L/Clippers/Red (83' Retro)/Nike/New

    Olajuwon, Hakeem/48/Rockets/Red-Yellow/Fair

    Owens, Billy/44/Kings/Black/Champion/New


    P

    Petrovic, Drazen/L/Nets/Blue/Reebok/New

    Pierce, Paul/M/Kansas/Blue-Red/Nike/New

    Price, Mark/44/Cavs/Black-Blue (90's)/Champion/Fair


    R

    Redd, Michael/L/Ohio State/Red/Nike/Mint

    Richmond, Mitch/
    44/Kings/Black/Champion/Bad
    40/Kings/Black-Purple (97' Retro)/Champion/Good

    Robertson, Oscar/48/Royals/Blue-White Stripe/Champion/Good


    S

    Sabonis, Arvydas/48/Blazers/Black-Red/Nike/Fair

    Schrempf, Detlef/44/Sonics/Green/Champion/Fair

    Stojakovic, Peja/
    40/Kings/Black/Champion/Fair
    M/Kings/Purple/Reebok/New

    Sura, Bob/40/Cavs/Black-Blue/Champion/Fair


    T

    Turkoglu, Hedo/L/Kings/White (After 03')/Reebok/New

    W

    Wade, Dwyane/M/Heat/Black/Reebok/New

    Walton, Bill/M/Blazers/White (76' Retro)/Reebok/New

    Webber, Chris/
    48/Michigan/Dark Blue-Yellow/Starter/Fair
    40/Warriors/Blue-Light Yellow/Champion/Good-Flawed
    L/Kings/Black/Nike/Mint

    West, Jerry/Yth XL/Lakers (61' Retro)/Blue/Hardwood Classics/Mint

    Williams, Jason/
    44/Kings/Black/Champion/New
    44/Kings/White/Champion/Fair
    48/Kings/Purple/Champion/New
    L/Kings/Black/Nike/Mint

    Williamson, Corliss/
    L/Arkansas/Red-White/Apex-One/Good
    44/Kings/Black/Champion/Mint


    Link to Whole Post

    [Kicks] Immersed in Insoles

    Rumor has it that someday there will be pics for every kick, as long as it doesn't keep enlarging itself...

    Nike

    Air Max Turbulence 8.5
    Air Max Moto II (White/Black/Red)
    Air Seismic Max (Purple)
    Air Zoom Swift II (White-Silver, White-Light Red)
    Air Presto (Orange/White, Black-Gray, Blue-Yellow, Woven Gray-Orange, Black Sqaure-Light Blue)
    Air Zoom Haven Low (Olive Green, White, Black)
    Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 (Midnight Navy-Varsity Red, White-Red-Black)
    Air Zoom Ultraflight (Black/Varsity Red-Sports Red, White-Blue)
    Air Zoom Seismic (Yellow-Green Brazilian Color)
    Air Zoom Turbine (White/Metallic Silver, White-Blue)
    Air Zoom Drive AF (White/Varsity Royal-Stealth)
    Air Zoom FC (Barcelona edition)
    Air Uptempo Sensation (White/White-Met Silver-Chrome)
    Zoom Lebron II (Cool Grey/White-Varsity Royal)
    Air Force 1 Premium (Baroque Brown/Net)
    Shox NZ Premium (Sail/Jade-Chino-Medium Brown)
    Shox VC III (Black/Chrome-Metallic Silver)
    Air Karst Z (Flax/Flax-Dark Chocolate)
    Air Force One (White/Univ. Blue-Midnight Navy)
    WMNS Air Force One (White/Sport Royal-Varsity Red)
    Air Trainer SC Low WP (Dark Cinder/Wheat-Ivory)
    Air Max One (White/Bright Teal-Black)
    Air Classic SB (Obsidian/Net)
    Shox Stunner (Dark Obsidian/Met Silver-White)
    WMNS Air Max 90 Leather (White/Varsity Red-Bluecap)
    WMNS Air Max 90 Premium (Jetstream/Blder.-Stlth.-Dk. Copper)
    Air Max 90 Leather (Khaki/Net-Baroque Brown)
    Air Max Adversity (White/Varsity Red-Black-Mts)
    Air Max 95 (Baroque Brown/Dgn Red-Khaki-Net)
    Air Max 95 (Mowabb Edition)
    Air Zoom Miler (White/Black-Chile Red)
    WMNS Dunk Low (Doll/White-Obsidian)
    Air Foamposite Pro B (Blue-Black)
    Air Max Finisher (White/Black/Red)

    Jordan


    Air Jordan XII Retro (White-Grey)
    Air Jordan XVIII Low (White/Chrome-Uni Blue-Mt Silver)
    Air Jordan XIX (Black/Chrome-Varsity Red)


    Reebok Fury Millenium (White/Red [Christmas Edition])

    Adidas ClimaCool 2

    And 1 KG Low

    New Balance

    790
    MN 75
    BB 885 (White/Navy Blue)
    WMNS 716

    Timberland

    57094 W (30th Year Anniversary)
    6 inches Waterproof Boots (Windchime/Royal, Trapper Tan)



    Link to Whole Post

    [Kings] Bobby Jackson KHTK Interview Transcript




    Right after the trade. Coming from KingsSuperFans.com

    A true class act.


    TM: Alright, Sports 1140 KHTK. Monty Till Midnight, joined by Bobby Jackson. And Bobby, it’s hard to say, but you’re a former King, it looks like right now.

    BJ: Yeah, there’s a lot of former Kings running around here right now.

    TM: (Laughs)
    Give me your reaction on going to Memphis for Bonzi Wells. It’s basically what the trade breaks down to. Obviously, Utah is involved with Greg Ostertag. But what are your thoughts on leaving Sacramento and heading to Memphis?

    BJ: Well, I’m gonna miss Sacramento. I had 5 wonderful years there. The city and the organization have been nothing but wonderful to me, and I’m gonna miss it just like C-Webb said. It’s a place I’m gonna miss. We had a lot of great time there. We brought the franchise up and we did a lot of great things there, and you know, it’s a rebuilding process there. They’ll bring new guys in, and that’s a business. I can’t be mad at them about it. One thing I’ve gotta do is worry about my family and make sure I go out and play like the way I’m capable of playing so that I can do a lot for them.

    TM: Were you surprised, Bobby that the Kings kind of broke this thing down as quickly as they did, obviously the Webber trade was the first big move. Were you surprised that they didn’t keep you guys together for one more run?

    BJ: Well, no. They gave us a certain amount of time and if that time doesn’t come then you know, me and Webb, we’re in our thirties, and I guess when you get in your thirties, people start trading for you. But we’ve got a lot of good basketball left. I thought I was gonna be traded a long time ago, to be honest with you. When Webb got traded… It’s something you’ve gotta deal with as a basketball player. I’ve been traded before. The only bad thing is that I got traded by myself. I wasn’t married, I didn’t have my kids with me, so now it’s a whole new situation with taking on a whole new responsibility, and getting everybody moved and getting acclimated with Memphis.

    TM: Sure. Does this open up a different door for you because I know your agent has gone on record saying that he wouldn’t have minded if the Kings hadn’t picked up your option, and I know you’ve talked a lot about how you feel that you’re a starter in this league and I would happen to agree with that. But does this is gotta be a new door opening for you in Memphis, I would think.

    BJ: I hope so. I can’t wait to see how this how this pans out. Definitely, I feel like I have a lot of great basketball left in me. God has really blessed me, to comeback from all the injuries and for me to get back on the court. I’m happy, man. There’s nothing to be sad about. I’m still playing basketball. I still love the game. I’m just not in a city that I was a part of for five years. They’ve been wonderful to me. The fans are.. there’s no other fans like that, I don’t care where I go. You’re not gonna find any fans like Sacramento. The fans know it.

    TM: Bobby Jackson joins us. Sports 1140 KHTK’s Monty Till Midnight. Bobby, you know, the injuries have been an issue with you for the last few years. Do you feel like you’re a durable player? Can you stay healthy for this a whole year, because this is a big year coming up for you contract wise.

    BJ: You know, you never know. I can’t dictate that. Would I like to stay healthy? Yes. I’ve had a lot of freak injuries. The injuries I’ve had are freak injuries. You know, I have no control over that. I’m training, I’m working out, I’m staying in shape, I’m doing the best to get back on the court. And I am back on the court. I’m staying on the court right now and staying healthy. I play everyday, I lift everyday, I shoot everyday. I feel like I am a very durable guard. I feel like I am very durable. I can do anything that any other guard can do in the league. I just need that time to be on the court. Hopefully, if I don’t get hurt… you’ll see, you’ll see what I can do, Monty. You already know what I can do.

    TM: Yup

    BJ: When I’m healthy for a full season, my upside is tremendous, still.

    TM: The thing I never understood Bobby here in Sacramento was, why you never… and I know you played a lot when you were healthy or whatever, but I never understood why you and Bibby were not on the floor more often. I thought it was a deadly combination. That really caused a lot of match-up problems.

    BJ: Yeah. That’s not my decision to make. Coach… that’s his decision. Coaches have a tough job, just like referees have a tough job, general managers have a tough job. Everything you do is always microscoped. The time I had here with Mike on the court... we produced, we played well, but you, that’s something I can’t harp on. Now is the time for me to move and and finish my… hopefully finish my career wherever it may be. And just be happy and healthy.

    TM: Is it tough to think Bobby, that maybe Memphis isn’t the last stop, because this is a contract year for you. Is it hard to think about moving to another city after Memphis?

    BJ: It is, but it is the life of an NBA player. This is the life I chose for me and my family. And I know my family supports me in whatever decision I decide to make. I’m not gonna look farther than that and I’m not gonna look at Memphis and say ‘I’m not gonna be here’, because that’s not fair to them. It’s a thing where as much as they need me, I need them. I’m just gonna roll with it. I’ve never been one to say that I’m too good for Memphis. Do I like the trade? No, I don’t like it. Would Memphis be one of my first choices? No, it wouldn’t. But I’m a man, and that’s something I have to live with it.

    TM: Absolutely.
    It’s odd to say, but former King Bobby Jackson joins us on Sports 1140. Is this the biggest year of your career, because it’s clearly a transition year for you, it’s a contract year. Is this the biggest year of your career?

    BJ: Yeah, because I’m getting older. Like you said, it’s my contract year. But the type of player I am, I’m never gonna be a selfish player and go for numbers. I wanna win, and if you win, that speaks for itself.

    TM: Sure

    BJ: Everybody knows what I can do. They know I can score, they know I can defend, they know I can win games. But we gotta win games and get to the playoffs and advance. If I get a chance to go out there on the court then I can show everybody what I can do.

    TM: Have you talked to anybody in Memphis? Have you talked totalked to the team there at all? Have they told you anything about what your role is gonna be?

    BJ: I talked to the coach today. He said they were working on some things. He said he really can’t promise me anything. He said ‘You’re the type of player they were looking for and you’re the type of player they want’.

    TM: You know this has been, with all the things that have changed for you over the last few years, this has been a pretty difficult stretch for you, and I think that you have said it in the past, not just with the injuries, but with the situation with your mom, the injuries and the contract situation… Has this been a difficult couple of seasons for you?

    BJ: It’s been extremely tough. I think by far, I’ve been through the most of all the NBA players… losing my mom, being hurt, trying to come back and play, and then getting traded. And then the team picking up my option, then trading me. That’s kinda frustrating. I feel like I’m a good guy. I wonder why things go this way sometimes, but I can only give it to god and and leave it in his hands. He’s blessed me so much. I never questioned anything he had in store for us.

    TM: I’m with you on that, Bobby. Before I let you go Bobby, give me highlights of your Sacramento career. What are some of the things that really stand out for you.

    BJ: Number one are the fans. Like I said, they’re the best fans, without a doubt. Number two was coming to Arco and being around my teammates, and seeing that camaraderie. We were close. And number three was making it to the Western Conference Finals.

    TM: Yep. Those playoff battles, man, they really tend to bring you guys together.

    BJ: If you noticed, I didn’t even mention the 6th Man Award.

    TM: I know! And you beat me to it, Bobby.

    BJ: You know, accolades and then that, doesn’t really matter to me. I just love to play the game, love it.

    TM: You beat me to it because I was gonna say those playoff runs bring you together, but you won an individual award. And you were such a big part of those teams, and I was surprised to hear you not say the 6th Man of the Year Award, because that had to be such a great time for you.

    BJ: It was a wonderful time. But it was also at the time when I lost my mom. It was the year that I lost my mom. That doesn’t equal to anything. That’s why it makes it so…

    TM: Were you surprised Bobby the situation with Rick Adelaman and Phil Jackson and Peja last year saying that he thought he should be traded. Because you guys talked about chemistry, and you guys were close. Were you surprised that it kinda got pulled apart a little bit?

    BJ: I was… you know, things happen for some odd reason. Like I said, you never know how people handle certain situations. Whatever it may be for Rick and Peja and all the things that happened with C-Webb and the bickering and stuff. I wouldn’t say bickering, but people speaking their minds. That’s why things happen. I can’t sit here and dictate why things happen. They happen for a reason. I can’t judge them.

    TM: I, for one, Bobby am sorry to see you go. I think that you were never paid what you should have been paid here. I didn’t think you were used the way you should have been used here. I just hope to see you have success in Memphis, and I wish you nothing but the best, man.

    BJ: Thank you, man. I appreciate it. Monty, it’s been nice knowing you, and I appreciate it.


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    Sunday, July 24, 2005

    [Voyage] Williamsport (0)


    It's time to let them all out, piece by piece.


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    0

    Where there is beginning, there is an end.


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