VOA常速英语2007-NBA to Stage Rare London Exhibition Game

By Tom Rivers
London
09 October 2007

In an effort to the increase basketball's international popularity¹, the National Basketball Association will hold a game Wednesday in London.  For VOA, Tom Rivers says it will be a rare opportunity for British fans to catch live NBA action when the Boston Celtics face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ten days ago, London was treated to NHL professional hockey.  In just under three weeks, American football will take center stage here when the NFL hosts a game. 

This week though, the game in town is basketball and the match at the O2 Arena² will feature the NBA's Boston Celtics against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  It is the first time the NBA has come to London in 14 years.

Boston guard, Paul Pierce says developing interest outside of North America now seems like a natural thing to do, especially given the fact that more foreign players are playing professional basketball in the United States each year.

"It is a global game," he said.  "I mean, I am excited to see that the game has expanded over the years to how it is growing all across the world and it is only good for the game because you get the interest from so many people that it just generates³ that many more fans and makes the game even more exciting."

What the NBA wants to do is grow interest in the game in places like Europe.  And although nothing has been decided⁴ at this stage, more exhibition games could be heading this way in the coming years. 

Timberwolves center, Mark Blount says that is all right with him.

"Figure something out with the flying and the jets.  And if they are able to work something out you know, it would be great," he said.  "I really like London.  It is a great town, a great, great place."

Former Timberwolf, now Celtic forward, Kevin Garnett says just as David Beckham is trying to boost⁵ interest in soccer in America, he is pleased to do what he can this week to increase the profile of basketball in Europe.

"There are plenty of ambassadors⁶ in football as it is in basketball, and if they need me to be, sure.  But we have plenty of people that, you can sort of pick and choose," he said.

There has been a lot of speculation⁷ this week in Britain about whether there might one day be an NBA franchise⁸ in Europe.  The Vice⁹ President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves, Kevin McHale, says there are a lot of avenues to explore in the coming years and that means different options can be tried out.

"I personally would think that if they were going to do it, you would almost have an American division and a Euro division and you would have, it would be like the Eastern Conference-West Conference.  You might play everybody twice over here, but you would have to make two trips that lasted three weeks to get it done type of thing.  So, I do not know.  Logistically, this travel is a bear.  Travel is tough enough when you are traveling from Minneapolis to Seattle, Seattle-Los Angeles, Los Angeles-Utah, Utah-Denver, Denver-Minneapolis on a five-game swing or four-game swing, that is hard."

But the players say they have liked their unusual week of preseason action in Europe.  They say it was good for them and their teams.

1 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

2 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

3 generates   

v.生（儿、女）( generate的第三人称单数 )；（通过物理或化学过程）发生；生成；引起

参考例句：

• This new boiler generates more heat than the old one. 这个新锅炉产生的热量比旧锅炉多。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The atomic reactor generates enormous amounts of thermal energy. 原子反应堆发出大量的热能。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 boost   

n.鼓励，激励，提高；v.鼓励，使增强信心

参考例句：

• This will be a great boost to the economy.这对于经济发展将是一个巨大的促进。
• These changes will help to boost share prices.这些变化将有助于提高股票价格。

6 ambassadors   

大使( ambassador的名词复数 )； （派驻联合国等国际组织的）代表； 特使； [比喻]使者

参考例句：

• Kennedy, greatly admiring, rated him very high among his ambassadors. 肯尼迪十分赏识他，在所有大使中对他评价很高。
• Many countries were represented by their ambassadors at the Independence Day celebrations. 庆祝美国独立纪念日时，许多国家都派其大使代表参加。

7 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

8 franchise   

n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权

参考例句：

• Catering in the schools is run on a franchise basis.学校餐饮服务以特许权经营。
• The United States granted the franchise to women in 1920.美国于1920年给妇女以参政权。

9 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。