第二篇 Kobe Bryant
After 10 seasons wearing the No 8 on his back, Kobe Bryant will become No 24 next season. The reason for the surprising decision by the Los Angeles Lakers super guard last week has become a hot topic for debate.
Bryant wore No 24 when he was in early high school, but he changed to No 33 in his senior year. He switched to No 8 when he was selected by the Lakers in 1996,and has not been changed since.
Bryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs(季后赛).So guessing Bryant’s motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and newspaper columnists(专栏作家).
There are all kinds of speculations. Many say that Bryant wants to leave the past behind and have a fresh start. He has often been criticized for playing to benefit himself and not the team as a whole. Others say that he may be trying to compare himself to Michael Jordan. Jordan was famous for his No 23 jersey(运动衫).Some, such as NBC Sport columnist Michael Ventre, argue that it is “all about money”. Bryant will make more money by selling new jerseys to his fans.
Some speculations are more about fun. For example, there is an opinion that Kobe is actually just a diehard(非常执著的)fan of the popular TV drama “24”.
All this talk has turned the number change into a major issue. It seems that there is a lot of fuss(大惊小怪)over something that should be pretty simple.
Jersey numbers have their own special significance in American sports, especially basketball. Players choose their number when they join a team and they usually stick with that number for the rest of their career. When a great player retires, his team will honor him by retiring his number.
To some extent, the jersey is the player, and the player is the jersey. Thus, when you see the famous No 23 for the Chicago Bulls, you immediately think about Michael Jordan. A No 32 Miami Heats jersey recalls the image of Shaquille O’Neal, and the Houston Rockets’ No 11 belongs only to Yao Ming.
Lots of stories are behind players’ jersey number selections. Jordan said that he chose No 23 because it was roughly half of 45.Jordan’s elder brother wore the No 45 in college. Yao Ming once revealed that the No 11 stands for two people in love-meaning him and his girlfriend Ye Li.
36. Which team has Bryant played for?
A. The Los Angeles Lakers.
B. The Houston Rockets.
C. The Chicago Bulls.
D. The Miami Heats.
37. How long has Bryant been wearing No 8?
A. Since he started to play basketball.
B. For ten seasons.
C. Since he entered high school.
D. Since he left the Lakers.
38. Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant’s motive to change his number, according to this passage?
A. He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.
B. He wants to compare himself to Jordan.
C. He wants to earn more money.
D. He wants to show that he is a man of great importance.
39. Why did Jordan choose No 23?
A. Because that number would make him famous.
B. Because that number would make his fans miss him.
C. Because that number was related to the number his brother once wore.
D. Because that number was easy to remember.
40. What does the number Yao Ming chose stand for?
A. Two long legs.
B. Two strong arms.
C. Two people in love.
D. Two big countries.
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