《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词3500》Unit59:我从他们身上获益匪浅

　　Unit 59
What I Learn from Them
When I was a child, my father (having no son) decided¹ he would instill a love of sport in both of his daughters. While my sister leans more towards football, a love of basketball took root in my own heart and flowered.
I can remember the great days of Clyde Drexler leading the team of defenders². The smiling face of a rookie, Sam Cassell, whose deep love of the game caused him to grin and laugh after taking a three-point shot that made everyone jump to their feet and gasp³ in anxiety before the whole crowd would explode into sounds of joy as the ball made a soft "swish" through the hoop⁴. And of course, the big man.
There are times when we wake up that we are haunted by a dream we cannot remember... yet there was a Dream all of Houston experienced together that no one could ever forget. Hakeem Olajuwon came to us from Nigeria as a very shy freshman⁵ who would make a name for himself at the University of Houston, where the days of Phi Slama Jama will never be forgotten. He would quickly endear himself to the City of Houston, where those of us who watched his career on the court also saw him grow into his position as center, watched his skills develop and also, the baptism by fire of a great leader, who through his humbleness⁶ and grace would lead a brave young team to world championships.
Olajuwon's humbleness, despite his obvious fame, lead him to keep quiet when the Houston Rockets franchise⁷ printed his first jersey⁸ with the name, "Akeem," using his first name instead of his last and misspelling it as well.
Another man would come to Houston, bigger than the last, but just as great in spirit. Yao Ming comes from Shanghai, China, a world as distant to most Houstonians as the other side of the moon. However, what Yao Ming is teaching us is a lesson that the NBA and all who watch it should learn.
We live in the age where rookies with even the slightest amount of talent thump⁹ their chests and cry out loudly for attention. Sadly, the game of basketball has turned into a game with players who worked together as a team to a group of players lead by one man. They are eager to promote themselves over their teams, but Yao Ming is changing all that.
Yao gets off the bench to hand his teammates towels to wipe the sweat out of their eyes. You will rarely see him celebrate some achievement he has accomplished¹⁰, but he will be the first one to high-five one of his teammates, or pat them on the back whether or not they make the shot.
Yao Ming is an exciting player to watch, but he's also an ambassador to his country. He brings his customs of honor and unity¹¹ to our nation, and I am thankful we have him.
There are many wonderful aspects of the Chinese culture to be shared here in the United States. One only has to watch the Rockets play to see the best of China in this talented young man.

1 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。

2 defenders   

n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者

参考例句：

• The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 gasp   

n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说

参考例句：

• She gave a gasp of surprise.她吃惊得大口喘气。
• The enemy are at their last gasp.敌人在做垂死的挣扎。

4 hoop   

n.（篮球）篮圈，篮

参考例句：

• The child was rolling a hoop.那个孩子在滚铁环。
• The wooden tub is fitted with the iron hoop.木盆都用铁箍箍紧。

5 freshman   

n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女)

参考例句：

• Jack decided to live in during his freshman year at college.杰克决定大一时住校。
• He is a freshman in the show business.他在演艺界是一名新手。

6 humbleness   

n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺

参考例句：

• Neither riches nor honours can corrupt him; neither poverty nor humbleness can make him swerve from principle; and neither threats nor forces can subdue him. 富贵不能淫， 贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。
• Consciousness is the mother of progress; humbleness is the source of degeneration. 1自觉心是进步之母，自贱心是堕落之源。

7 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。

8 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

9 thump   

v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声

参考例句：

• The thief hit him a thump on the head.贼在他的头上重击一下。
• The excitement made her heart thump.她兴奋得心怦怦地跳。

10 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

11 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。