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. 当Rose是NBA的MVP的那个从前，公牛在中央区没有任何对手。 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那个登上联盟例行赛战绩第一个过程中，公牛只输给同区对手过一次，那是 个延长赛的败阵，输给了那个在第一轮被我们打败的溜马，他们所展现出天生的身体 素质，被预设成那个未来跟我们在同区竞争的对手。 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. 下个封馆缩短赛季，公牛仍然悠然的登上NBA最佳例行赛战绩，同时在中央区拿下13胜 1败，那1败一样是输给了溜马，在Rose受伤而我们第一轮被76人淘汰後，溜马在第二 轮跟最後得到冠军的热火奋战後落败。 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. 来到上个Rose受伤缺阵的球技，溜马即使在他们的all-star、首席得分手前锋妙丽缺 阵的情况下，掌控了中央区，获得了13胜3败的成绩，并且更向前迈进的挺进东区冠军 战，再次输给了热火。另一方面，公牛只有9胜7败的分区对战，并在两季的完胜之後 ，输给了同区的公鹿、骑士跟底特律。 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. 印城在紮实的季末补强後，毫无疑问的成为了联盟最顶段班的球队，溜马正享受着夺 冠的希望，在经过奥本山事件的震荡、从山顶滑落後，那漫长的谷底翻身跟重建。而 在经过了一年的缝隙，既然Rose要归队了，公牛也同样磨刀霍霍的要逐鹿冠军，同时 就当上季公牛一路任凭Rose在板凳上养伤、不甘愿的退出了中央区的王座後，虽然嘴 巴没有说，但是他们本季的其中一个目标，应该会是再次接管中央区的王座。 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. 虽然牛马仍然是中央区的正港强者，但中央区也有新的竞争者打算分食中原。去年第 一轮败给热火的公鹿，固然在诡异的季末动作之後，让他们可能跌出了季後赛，但骑 士跟活赛确实有些令人惊艳的动作，增添了他们的天份，让人必须认真看待。 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. 在可能是这个季外最後的大动作，公鹿跟活塞把他们的年轻控卫交换了。 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市场中跟Josh签了长约，和被严重低估、高度技巧纯熟的长人梦 罗，充满无限可能未来、有着怪物般体能的壮猛，组成前场阵容。不论他们是不是能 有效的组成三本柱，他们的身材、高度跟体能跟整体天份是毫无疑问的。虽然左撇子 的建宁公主(梦罗跟Josh也都是左撇子，Josh进攻端上看起来不太适合当SF)─在拒绝 了公鹿的延长合约、并且没有从可能的落脚球队接受到报价後，本来看起来会再被遗 留在寒冷的密尔瓦基一个球季─因为他投篮第一跟倾向跟出手选择饱受批评，他确实 也展现出过令人眼睛为之一亮的playmaker能力，而且当他身边围绕着相较於公鹿更多 、更好的的得分手时，他成为一个更传统的场上主控的能力，不应该被看扁，尤其再 把活塞新主帅Mo Cheeks有可能透过加快比赛节奏、来利用他们队上的活动能力这样的 考量加进来後。 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. 同时，签下Mayo、Nael并伴随着Knight、劳德诺的公鹿，这样的後场组合就算说不上 特别、但也是十分牢靠。纵算希腊摇摆人、潜力新人第一轮新秀GA看来还要一年的养 成才能替公鹿做出具体贡献，但从当鹿角的屌飞龙，会在锋线给予教头Drew一些经验 提供。而公鹿的强项，就像活塞，在於他们有着由防守达人Sanders、前途似锦的 Henson、Ersan领军的年轻前场。 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. 这样的阵容并不是说怎样天纵英才的组合，但再加上例如Knight正逐渐成长成一个得分 型控卫、Mayo如同他上个在小牛球季的前半季一样、成为了公鹿的第一得分点， Sanders再更进一步的在进攻端成长，以及Henson在夏季联盟所展现出的进步，认为公 鹿仍然有机会去在强弱失衡的东区，争抢季後赛的末席，并非一个很疯狂的想法。姑且 不论这样一个重建中的球队，逻辑上应该是放手摆烂进入明年的选秀。 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. 克里夫兰，另一方面来说，有潜力在这个将要到来的球季成为一个强悍的新力量，只 要凤还巢的Mike Brown能有效的整合出上场阵容。 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. 只要明星控卫厄文能保持健康，他就是骑士一个好的起点。已经在play-makimg跟得分 方面─甚至是无持球跟外围，展现出良好表现的他，如果能从教练身上学到防守，那 他对比赛的掌控会更全面。 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，是一群充满天份、却不知道能不能有效整合出战力的一群球员。跟厄文 组成後场的会是得分见长的侍者，但是上季在咖哩背後、联盟最佳第六人之一的Jack ，也会帮得上忙。 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. 虽然透过低额的部份保障降低了，因为已经整季没有上场，火车男孩的签约结果会很 两极化。不过充满活力的米粉头的存在，能作为火车男孩可能带来负面效应的缓冲， 同时2012年的第一轮选秀Zeller也还在阵中。 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，将会跟状元同乡AB竞争先发PF。签下的自由球员Clark也是大前锋，同时 他也能担当摇摆人角色，这个位置，有着充满运动能力的留队球员Gee、俄罗斯射手 Karasev还有新人Felix，都也有可能争取到上场时间。 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. 上面这些球员的个人能力跟天赋都是无可否认的，但这不等於可以有效转换成足以进 入季後赛，或是把游子雷霸龙诱惑回来的团队战力。无论如何，骑士都被认为会具有 竞争力，而且随着厄文持续的进步，他们应该会有机会争取和牛马火网在季後赛第一 轮碰面的机会。 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. 但即使把活赛跟骑士的天份(还有那不上不下的老鹰)列出来，牛马仍然是中央区王座 的主要竞争者，即使他们不再能像以往一样予取予求。公牛季末最大的补强是在他们 已经十分齐全的阵容中，补进有经验的摇摆人Dunleavy；同时溜马，选择透过补进前 公牛替补控卫C.J.Watson、前尼克前锋Copeland还有最近补进来的金克拉，补强他们 本来孱弱的板凳，更不用说妙丽的回归会让Lance回到第二队。 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. 同样有着防守、篮板强队的特徵，两队都有着联盟前十的教练、具备身高的禁区、两 翼的深度跟蓝领精神。Rose的回归所带来超级球员效应让公牛有些微的优势，但如果 溜马在Rose的MVP球季都不怕他的话，随着这次季後赛精采表现、气焰水涨船高的溜马 ，现在当然更不会害怕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. 就算中央区仍然是这两支强队所把持，但剩余中央区球队都能进入季後赛，并不是个 痴人说梦的妄想。 --

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