NBA Basketball

ANDREW: So where are you from, John?
JOHN: I'm from Chicago.
ANDREW: Chicago? Really? So are you a...
JOHN: Wait! Don't finish your question.
ANDREW: Why not?
JOHN: I want to guess what you are going to ask me.
You are going to say: "So are you a Bulls¹ fan?"
ANDREW: Yes, how did you know?
JOHN: Because every time I tell people I'm from Chicago,
they always ask the same question.
ANDREW: But that's because there are a lot of Bulls fans here in Taiwan.
JOHN: I can see that.
They're everywhere. Even some of my students--nine-year-old kids--they are Bulls fanatics².
ANDREW: Do you think that's bad?
JOHN: No, I think it's amusing³. It is just a surprise to me. I like the Bulls too. 
ANDREW: What do you think about Jordan quitting?
JOHN: Well, I know most Bulls fans are disappointed.
But as for me, I think it is an honorable⁴ decision.
ANDREW: What do you mean?
JOHN: I always think it is good to make it to the top, to do one's best.
But then, when you've done the best you can, it is good to stop there.
In English, we say: "Quit while you're ahead."
ANDREW: I'm not sure I understand.
JOHN: I will say it differently then.
You know how Jordan is one of the great basketball players of all time.
ANDREW: Yes, it is obvious.
JOHN: And if he plays next year, do you think he can do better?
I mean, can he improve?
ANDREW: No, I don't see how he can. He is already at the top.
JOHN: Well, that's what I mean.
If he continues, he can only do the same thing again, or he can start to go downhill.
And why go downhill? Why not quit when one is at the top?
ANDREW: Now I understand. You think Jordan made the right decision then.
JOHN: Sure. As we say in English: "Quit while you're ahead."
安德鲁：约翰，那你是哪里人啊？
约翰：我来自芝加哥。
安德鲁：芝加哥？真的啊，那么你是……
约翰：等等，别问下去。
安德鲁：为什么？
约翰：我想猜你要问什么。
你要问"你是公牛队球迷吗？"
安德鲁：是的，你怎么知道？
约翰：因为每次我跟人说我来自芝加哥
总是被问相同的问题。
安德鲁：但那是因为台湾有很多公牛队球迷。
约翰：看得出来。
到处都有球迷，连我一些九岁的学生也是公牛队迷。
安德鲁：你觉得不好吗？
约翰：不，我觉得很有意思，我只是很吃惊。我也喜欢公牛队。
安德鲁：你对乔丹退出球坛有何看法？
约翰：我知道大部份的球迷都很失望。
但是我认为这是光荣的决定。
安德鲁：怎么说？
约翰：我总认为人要尽力达到他的巅峰。
当你达到巅峰时，最好就此画下句点。
英语中叫"见好就收"。
安德鲁：我不太懂你的意思。
约翰：那么我换个说法。
你知道乔丹是篮坛的第一把交椅吧！
安德鲁：很显然是。
约翰：如果他继续打到明年，你认为他会打得更好吗？
我是说他能进步吗？
安德鲁：我不认为还能更好，他已经在最巅峰了。
约翰：这就对了。
如果他继续打，不是维持现状，就是开始走下坡。
那为什么要走下坡呢？为什么不在顶尖状态下隐退呢？
安德鲁：我懂了，你认为乔丹做了明智的抉择。
约翰：当然，就是英语说的"见好就收。"

1 bulls   

n.公牛( bull的名词复数 )；法令；力大如牛的人；（象、鲸等动物的）雄兽

参考例句：

• Riding bulls is always an exciting event at a rodeo. 骑公牛总是放牧人竞技会上激动人心的表演。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Two white bulls were sacrificed and a feast was held. 献祭了两头白牛，并举行了盛宴。 来自辞典例句

2 fanatics   

狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The heathen temple was torn down by a crowd of religions fanatics. 异教徒的神殿被一群宗教狂热分子拆除了。
• Placing nukes in the hands of baby-faced fanatics? 把核弹交给一些宗教狂热者手里？

3 amusing   

adj.有有趣的，好玩的

参考例句：

• The girl was amusing herself with a doll.那女孩在玩洋娃娃自娱。
• He related some amusing stories in his childhood to his children.他向孩子们述说了他少年时代的一些趣事。

4 honorable   

adj.光荣的，荣誉的；可敬的，高尚的

参考例句：

• I don't think I am worthy of such an honorable title.这样的光荣称号，我可担当不起。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honorable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。