原文出处： http://www.nba.com/preview2007/journey_okafor.html -- Getting to the NBA is not easy. Of the millions of kids playing basketball around the world today, only a very small percentage will make it to the Association. Along the way, there will be highs and lows, ups and downs. 进入NBA不是件容易的事。在全世界有数百万个孩子热爱篮球的今天，只有极少部分的 菁英能够打进这个篮球的最高殿堂。在这条路上，肯定会有高潮低潮以及高低起伏。 As they prepare for the 2007-08 season, 30 current players reflect back on their journey to the NBA and some of the things they went through to fulfill their dream of playing basketball for a living. 在他们为'07-'08年球季预作准备的此时，30位现任球员回顾他们迈进NBA的艰辛历程 以及一些他们为了能让以打球维生的美梦成真所做的一些努力。 What was the biggest obstacle you overcame to reach the NBA? 问：什麽是你在打进NBA过程中所克服的最大阻碍？ Emeka Okafor: I guess just doubt, just having to believe, not necessarily having the most pub behind my name but just working hard nonetheless and just believing in myself and going. Nothing traumatic ever happened to me physically . Just that people doubted whether or not I could do it. 答：我猜是人们对我的质疑，不过要相信自己，不用在乎自己的名字会不会变得众所 皆知，不过一定要认真打球，相信自己并且持续努力。我没受过什麽外伤。只是人们总会 怀疑我是否能做到。 Finish this sentence…Growing up, the basketball court was my... 问：请你完成这个句子..."从小到大，篮球场是我的...。" EO: The basketball court was my playground. 答：篮球场就是我的游乐场。 To what lengths would you go for a chance to play basketball, even if it were just a shoot around? 问：如果有机会去打篮球，就算只是去投投球，你愿意付出到怎样的程度？ EO: Houston was pretty hot. During the summer time, it was super hot. When I was younger I had to practice outside in the heat. 答：休士顿的天气相当炎热。特别是夏天时，连人都热到快融化了。我小时候必须在 火炉般的室外场地练习。 Who was your basketball hero and why? 问：谁是你的篮球偶像？原因为何？ EO: Hakeem Olajuwon, he was a Houston Rocket, two-time champion, he was Nigerian and I am Nigerian. 答：Hakeem Olajuwon，他当时是休士顿火箭的一员，而且两度率队赢得总冠军，他是 奈及利亚人，而我也是。 What is your favorite childhood basketball memory? 问：童年时期最令你难忘的篮球回忆是？ EO: When the Rockets won that first championship. 答：火箭队第一次赢得总冠军的事令我最为难忘。 Best piece of basketball advice you received was... 问：关於篮球，你获得觉得最受用的建议是... EO: You just have to be patient. You have to let things develop. You can never be in a rush. 答：你只要有耐心一点。你必须让自己成长茁壮。凡事绝不能匆匆忙忙的。 What advice would you give to someone who aspires to play in the NBA? 问：你会给想进NBA打球的人什麽样的建议呢？ EO: Work hard and have patience. 答：认真练习并保持耐心。 How old were you when you received your first basketball and what did it feel like to have your very own? 问：你第一次拿到属於自己的篮球是几岁的事？拥有属於自己的篮球感觉如何？ EO: I guess I was like nine or so. It was cool, I mean I was a kid to get anything was great. 答：我猜大概是我九岁左右的事吧。那真是帅呆了，我的意思是我就像是一个如获至 宝的孩子。 When did you realize you had serious game? 问：你什麽时候意识到你要认真面对球赛？ EO: When I was 17, my junior year when I was trying to go to college. I was in the AAU circuit and I started getting letters from colleges. So I was like alright let's do it. 答：在我17岁，高二那年，当时我正准备进入大学。我参加了业余运动联赛并开始收 到各大学邀请函。所以我心想，好，准备好来大展身手吧。 Did it ever strike you in the middle of a game in front of a packed house, "Man , I can't believe I'm here…" 问：你曾经在一个人山人海的球馆里面打球，在比赛中脑海突然出现一个念头，"老兄 ，这是真的吗？我真的在这里打球？" EO: Man, sometimes I still feel that way. That never goes away. 答：老兄，我有时候还是会有这种感觉。那种感觉永远不会消失吧。 How proud is your family that you made it to the NBA? 问：你的家人对於你打进NBA感到多光荣？ EO: They are proud. With me, it is expected. It is not like it came out of nowhere. They knew what kind of person I was. 答：他们以我为荣。他们本来就对我抱持这样的期待。那不是一天两天的事了。他们 本来就知道我是什麽样的人。 --

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