运动休闲—解读各大NBA球队名称的来龙去脉

The Names Of The Western Conferences Of NBA

　　Several weeks ago, we had discussed the meaning of the team names in the National Basketball Association’s Eastern Conference. This time we move on to the Western Conference.

　　The Minnesota Timberwolves(明尼苏达森林狼):the Timberwolves’ name actually makes sense. Minnesota, which is located on the border with Canada, contains large expanses of forested wilderness¹ where timberwolves make their home.

　　The SanAntonio Spurs(圣安东尼奥马刺): The mythology(传说、的神话) of the "cowboy", solitary², tough and self-reliant, has long been an important part of the American national identity, particularly in Texas, where San Antonio is located. Spurs are sharp metal devices attached to a cowboy’s boots. By jabbing a horse’s flanks with the spurs, the cowboy can encourage his mount(座骑) to run faster.

　　The Dallas Mavericks(达拉斯小牛): The name of the Dallas team also reflects Texas’ cowboy past. A "maverick³" is a rebellious(叛逆性强的) person who refuses to obey social norms(标准). The word is derived⁴ from the name of Samuel Maverick (1803-1870), a Texas rancher(农场主)who refused to brand(为小牛烙印标识)his cattle.

　　The Houston Rockets(休斯顿火箭): The NASA(美国国家航空航天局) Mission Control Center is located in Houston; hence the name "Rockets". Ironically, no actual rockets are ever launched into space from Houston -- launches take place at a separate facility in Florida.

1 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

2 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。

3 maverick   

adj.特立独行的；不遵守传统的；n.持异议者，自行其是者

参考例句：

• He's a maverick.He has his own way of thinking about things.他是个特异独行的人。对事情有自己的看法。
• You're a maverick and you'll try anything.你是个爱自行其是的人，样样事情都要尝试一下。

4 derived   

vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》