I’ve had a lot of people ask me about the Lakers and the future. In this
town a lot of people want a quick answer, a fast and easy solution to a very
difficult question. For Los Angeles, the NBA season is generally viewed as
championship or bust. So when the team doesn’t appear to have a
championship-caliber roster, it’s hard to compromise and realize that lesser
goals are necessary to accept.
很多人都問我關於湖人及他的未來。許多人都想要一個快速、簡單的答案，但問題卻是
如此困難。對於湖人來說，除了冠軍，不然就是失敗的一季。所以只要沒在角逐冠軍的
名單中，其餘的都是很難說服洛城這個城市。
So here’s where we go from here.
就從這裡開始談起吧。
In the movie Rounders, poker renaissance man Matt Damon talks about keeping
yourself out of trouble at the table by folding a hand you know doesn’t have
a chance. “Throw away your cards the moment you know they can’t win,” the
narrator (Damon) tells the viewer. Live to play another hand. Fight another
day. Pick your cliche. This is the line I’ve referenced to the Laker fans
that have tried to figure out just what to make of this current team and this
upcoming season.
在Rounders這部電影中，撲克神手Matt Damon說起如何在滿手爛牌情況下擺脫困境。他
說：「丟了他！在你知道你不會贏的當下。」然後著眼於下一局，遵循你自己的步調。
這句話就是我要送給那些試圖理解制服組對於未來的所做所為的湖迷。
The Lakers do not have a championship roster. I don’t think that’s an
outlandish thing to say. I believe if you asked Mitch Kupchak, Jimmy Buss, or
any of the other Laker brass they would tell you the same thing. Building a
championship-level team is a long, difficult process – the Lakers have just
done a damn good job of making it look easy for the past 60 years. The point
is, the Lakers don’t have a team that can win it all this season. And, in a
town that demands titles, that means the season will be considered a
disappointment. So, if you’re the Lakers, you fold the hand and start
working towards the next one. The one that you know will win the pot. In Los
Angeles, it’s championship or bust, so the second you know that a title isn’
t in the works for this season, begin building for the next championship.
湖人隊不是個冠軍隊伍。這不是什麼驚悚的話。我相信問了庫胖、Jimmy或者隨便抓支制
服組，他們都會這樣回答你。建立一支冠軍隊伍是漫漫長路，但是湖人在過去60年把他
變得跟挖鼻孔一樣簡單。重點是，這季的湖人卻無法走老路。但在這個籃球豪門，這意謂
著令人失望的一季，如果你是湖人，你就會盤算著如何打造下一個贏得歐布萊恩杯的陣容
。對於湖人來說不是冠軍就是失敗，所以在了解贏不了的當下不是賣給其他老闆，而是開
始打造下一個冠軍吧。
That brings me to my main point here.
In 2014, the credo for the Lakers and the main point of emphasis should be
one thing; develop Julius Randle (and Ryan Kelly/Jordan Clarkson).
2014年，湖人的重點就擺在把這三人養起來。Julius Randle (and Ryan Kelly/Jordan
Clarkson) [呃，括號這兩人是怎麼回事！？]
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Spurs (and trust me we’ve learned
a lot more than one thing) it’s that home grown, developed talent is a very
useful thing. This hasn’t always been something the Lakers have looked to as
the core of their success, but there’s no doubt that even when the team was
winning championships, they did it with a collection of acquired free agents
as well as home grown guys that they knew fit their system. When the team
went on their run from 2000-02, they had key role players like Devean George,
Derek Fisher and Tyronn Lue. Even though those aren’t names that jump out on
a stat sheet, each contributed at key points throughout those years and
helped the team become champions.
如果我們有從馬刺身上學到一件事（但絕對不只一件事可以學），那就是＂農場＂這絕
對不是湖人自古以來的傳統，但不可否認的就算是OK連線，也是有綠葉陪襯著。將一群
適合湖人體系但是甚至無法從先發名單脫穎而出的洛城子弟蒐集起來，這些人後來也都
成為了冠軍杯不可或缺的一部分。
The point here is that not every player on a championship roster is a
superstar. While having those superstar players is important, there are many
pieces in a title-winning puzzle. While the Lakers wait on the cornerstone
pieces, presumably to be filled later, they can still work towards their next
title by making sure some of the smaller pieces are there when those bigger
assets come along at a later date.
冠軍隊伍絕對不是一狗票的巨頭。當然，有巨頭也是很重要的，他們會成為奪冠最重要
的拼圖。當湖人在找下一個基石時，假設他很快的就被找到了...湖人依然可以花心思
在未來的綠葉上。
This means, at least in my eyes, taking a long, hard look at three players.
這意謂著我們必須認真看待這三人。
Julius Randle is the obvious choice here. He’s the highest pick the Lakers
have had in 30 years and the young piece with the most potential currently on
the roster. The thought is that he can develop into an All-Star caliber
player over the course of his career, becoming a strong addition for a long
time. However, on a team that is packed with frontcourt players (the addition
of Carlos Boozer only further extenuates the logjam), Randle might have
trouble finding consistent playing time if he struggles. Randle’s playing
time will depend entirely on the team’s goals for the season and whoever the
coach ends up being. If, for instance, the new coach gets the word from
management that he’s going to have a long leash and is free to use this
season to develop talent like Randle for the future, he’ll get more and more
minutes regardless of how he performs. But, if it’s a coach who’s already
fighting for his job, Randle’s leash will likely be shorter than that of the
new boss.
Randle絕對是最顯著的目標。他是湖人過去30年所獲的最高順位也是目前最年輕最有潛力
的。這就是湖人的如意算盤，他能進化成一個全明星，能為湖人提供很長一段時間的能量
。但是湖人找了個備胎。這將大大的影響到Randle的時間，如果Randle打得很掙扎。而他
在場上的時間也取決於湖人的態度及最終教練的人選。若是總教練還要花心思顧自己的飯
碗，他也只能隨人顧性命了。
I’ll state, purely for the record, that I think Randle will be free to work
through the difficulties of life as a rookie NBAer at his leisure.
我相信他Hold的住的，做為一個rookie。
One of the best things that can happen for the Lakers’ future is another
long, tough season. The team’s first round draft pick belongs to Phoenix
unless they land in the top five of the lottery, something they didn’t even
pull off after last year’s historically disheartening campaign. So,
conceivably, that’s a bit of a longshot. Plus, the team’s roster is without
question more talented than it was a year ago, meaning that even if they
wanted to fall into one of the top five slots in the draft, they might have
some difficulty pulling it off.
最有可能的下一季會依然是坦的節奏。明年的樂透簽可以說是送給太陽了除非坦到前五。
這季都這麼坦了依然沒辦法辦到前五。別忘了，下一季的陣容天賦可是比上一季好上許多
，還能多坦？
Welcome to basketball purgatory.
卡關了。
Still, going back to my previous point, there’s something beneficial about
being a struggling team without a chance at a title. The benefit would be the
knowledge that there’s nothing to lose other than a few more games. But, in
the grand scheme of things, that’s not that big of a deal if those minutes
spent losing become minutes spent learning and growing.
呃，回頭想想，當爛到底的隊伍也是有好處的，那就是沒什麼好輸的了XD。但前提是，
有賺到經驗值。
Take a look at last season. Specifically at Ryan Kelly.
看看上季的凱利。
As the 48th pick in the draft, Kelly was a mere afterthought. Most fans
figured he was someone the Lakers picked purely because they had to pick
somebody and, hey what the hell why not this guy? In almost any other Laker
season, Kelly would have found himself developing a beautifully charming
long-term relationship with the bench. Eventually, as tends to happen in
these situations, the bench would get very clingy and throw a fit whenever he
left it. By the end of the season it would be far too late for a divorce, let
alone an annulment. To avoid the lame simile, Kelly simply wouldn’t have had
the chance to showcase what he’s able to do.
這個來自第48順位的凱利只是順便簽的，對於大多數湖迷來說就是這樣。但，該死的為何
認為他不行？在大部分湖人的球季，他將會是很稱職的開特力球員ＸＤ。在過去湖人的成
功下。板凳都過於依賴且替代性很高。但是現在卻來不及改善這個惡習，只好讓Kelly負
擔更多除了守開特力以外的事情。
For many rookies in the league, especially those taken in the second round,
the opportunities to prove oneself are scarce. Because of this, when the
opportunity does arise, nerves tend to take over a bit and there are growing
pains. They know they don’t have the leniency that a top pick will get to
fight through those growing pains and develop more confidence in their
abilities, ultimately making them better players. This can become a sickening
downward spiral as increased struggles leads to decreased confidence and an
even further decreased amount of time spent on the court.
通常第二輪的新秀都很難有機會證明自己。因為這樣，當機會來的時候反而有點戰戰兢兢
。他們知道他們沒有太多容錯空間並且在挫折中長大。這變成是一種惡性循環。
Eventually they flame out and move on to a different career.
最後就走火入魔長歪了。
No offense to Ryan Kelly, but that was likely the direction he was heading.
But, due to the team’s struggles last season he was able to stay on the
floor, fight through some of his development issues and regain some
confidence in himself and his abilities on the court. By the end of the
season he was a staple in the rotation and (seemingly) a valuable rotation
player for the future.
沒有冒犯凱利的意思，但他現在的處境就是這樣。好家在，湖人上季很用力坦，所以
凱利能在場上找信心。最後變成固定輪值的一員。（確定不是因為MDA?）而且還打出
他自己的價值。
And, with a championship out of the question this year, the team should
attempt this same strategy in 2014-15 with Randle, Kelly (again), and another
new addition, Jordan Clarkson.
在奪冠不是湖人該煩惱的事情的時候，應該要繼續上一季的坦。
Will all three of those guys still be on the roster the next time the Lakers
hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean there
isn’t anything else to be gained by seeing what they can do and maximizing
their abilities.
這三人會舉起下次湖人的歐布萊恩盃嗎？不見得。但這不代表現在不需要激發出他們的
潛能。
Let’s consider one possible route for one second. We’ll use Clarkson purely
for the sake of the situation, not because of any basis in reality or even my
own predictions.
再想想Clarkson，簽下他僅僅是為了一個字：賭。
In 2014, the team struggles but allows Clarkson to gain confidence and become
a solid rotation player. Due to his growth on the court, he becomes a player
with some value that is seen around the league as a promising, young asset.
He becomes valuable, not only in his on-court abilities, but as a possible
trade asset to bring in a larger, perhaps more superstar-esque piece.
這一季，Clarkson在爛隊刷出不錯的成績也成為固定輪值的一員。因為他的成長他可能
變成一顆新星。他的價值也可能建立在交易桌上，為了帶來大腿更粗的球員。
The point is that rookies struggle. Why? They’re rookies. That’s what they
do. Kobe Bryant averaged 7.6 points his rookie season. Kevin Garnett averaged
10.4. Anthony Bennett, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, averaged just 4.2.
Bryant and Garnett were both allowed to work through their struggles with
continued playing time and ultimately develop, and at one point in each of
their careers was considered the best player in the league. We’ll wait and
see with Anthony Bennett, who certainly doesn’t look to be a future KG/Kobe,
but that’s not really my argument here. For the Lakers, let the young guns
go out there and learn what it means to be successful at an NBA level. Give
them the reassurance that regardless of their struggles, and there will be
struggles, they will get the chances they need to prove whether or not they
can hack it in the bigs.
但新秀總是會掙扎會有撞牆期，不然他們就不是新秀了。老大場均7.6、KG場均10.4
、去年的狀(水)元(貨)AB場均4.2(.....)，KB跟KG都因為穩定的上場時間而撐過來了。
接下來看看AB是否能跟兩位先輩一樣，但這不是重點。重點是我們都該給他們耐心不論
是否打得掙扎。一定會有撞牆期，但是他們也因而得到機會證明自己。
It’s going to be a tough season for the Lakers. Even if everything goes
perfectly according to plan and the team performs at it’s absolute peak, it’
s difficult to see them advancing past the first round of the postseason.
這將會是湖人艱難的一季，就算所有事情都完美的照著劇本走，大概也會是一輪遊。
But that shouldn’t be the focal point of things for this team.
但是不是一輪遊並不重要。
There are opportunities within each difficult season to help better prepare
yourself for the future. The Lakers do have the opportunity to do that in
2015. It’s just up to them to make sure they do.
每次失敗的一季就是一次轉機，湖人在2015又得到了一次機會，端看他們願不願意坦到
底。
隨便抓篇文章翻，翻完才發現好像沒啥重點囧，太無聊隨意翻翻，翻太爛請見諒ＸＤ。
原文網址：http://0rz.tw/VhMzm