A year ago, Ray – who’s been instrumental in the development of numerous star big men, from two-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard to Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson – thought he was done with the game for good. 一年前，Ray 一直在指導著Dwight Howard 跟 Al Jefferson 球技 上的進步 After countless knee operations and various surgeries, Ray officially filed for retirement and permanent disability benefits. 經歷過無數大小手術，Ray 正式退休以及申請傷殘津貼 Then, however, came the pivotal call from Kings Head Coach Keith Smart, who asked for his assistance last March. The University of Oklahoma product didn’ t have to think twice, immediately advising the government he was going back to work. 今年三月，國王教練尋求他的協助。Ray沒有二話立即允諾 向政府提出可以正常工作的證明 “(Keith is) like my son, and when he said he needed my help, I couldn’t turn it down,” says Ray beaming. “If I could help him do anything in his life to be successful, then I would like I would for my son.” Ray 說『Keith 就像我兒子，當他說希望我幫忙。我無法拒絕 　　　　如果我能幫我兒子得到成功，我願意做任何事。』 Ray’s longstanding ties to Smart extend back to their days in the Continental Basketball Association with the Fort Wayne Fury in the mid-1990s, as well as the 2000-03 Cleveland Cavaliers, where Smart gained his first NBA head coaching experience. Ray 跟Smart的關係要追溯到90年代中期ＣＢＡ的球隊 Fort Wayne Fury 還有 2000-03 年Smart 首次執教騎士隊時的合作經驗 “I’ve known him since he first started … and I told him, ‘You have the material and the organizational skills to become a great coach,’’ says Ray. “So, I came and helped him in the CBA and I’ve always admired his work ethic, what he brings and how enthusiastic he is about the game.” Ray：『我認識他自從他第一次執教，然後我告訴他 　　 『你有成為一位偉大教練的特質』 　　　　所以我跟他在ＣＢＡ的期間我一直鼓勵他朝這方面發展 　　　　稱讚他對比賽的熱情與職業道德。』 For Smart, Ray has served as an inspirational figure and longtime mentor for whom he holds an inordinate amount of respect. 對Smart來說，Ray 是怎樣的影響他呢? “Clifford is like a father to me – when I started my coaching career, he was right by my side.” says Smart. “He’s one of the guys that can put his hand on my shoulder and say, ‘Coach, don’t do this today’ or ‘Coach, back off a little bit here’ because he knows me inside-out. Smart說:『他就像我爸一樣，當我開始我的執教生涯他一直在我身旁 我們的關係是那種直言不誨的關係 他可以搭著我肩膀說，"教練，你最近表現有點退步喔 教練，這樣打不好喔!" 因為他非常了解我』 “When I coached in the CBA, every big guy I had (was) either called up to the NBA or signed to a nice, lucrative deal in Europe,” continues Smart. “ He just has a way of talking and communicating with (players).” Smart『當我在CBA執教，每個大個子最後都進入了NBA不然就是在歐洲 賺到大合約。』 『RAY就是有辦法搞定跟球員們的溝通。』 -- 『把湯分成兩半並不是奇蹟，那是魔術。 一個單親媽媽，打工兼差，還能找出時間來陪孩子練球，那才是奇蹟。 一個青少年可以拒絕毒品，並接受教育，那才是奇蹟。』 摘自電影《王牌天神》 --

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