The Western Conference: Who stacks up to the Lakers

西部那支球队能和湖人相媲美？  

Brian already examined the biggest threats to the Lakers should they appear in their fourth consecutive Finals, but before reaching that hallowed ground, a conference must be won. The hoopla that was "Summer 2010" relocated a couple of big names (Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer), but the west is still the superior conference. Emerging as its postseason kahuna remains tough as ever.

Brian已经指出，对于湖人来说，最大的威胁在于他们是否能连续第四年进入到总决赛的舞台。但是在总决赛这个神圣的舞台到来之前，湖人必须赢得西区的比赛。今年夏天转会市场最喧嚣且引人注目的无疑是一些巨星更换了球队（小斯，布泽尔），但是西部仍然是更好的。湖人要从西部脱颖而出，会和往年一样困难重重。

Are the Lakers still the best team left of the Mississippi? In my estimation, yes, but there remain some powerful challengers looking to steal the crown. With free agency's whirlwind largely settled, here's a look at the Lakers' western challengers.

湖人仍然是密西西比河以西最好的球队吗？依照我的估计，确实是如此。但是确有不少有实力的挑战者在窥视湖人的王位。随着自由球员转会渐进尾声，让我们一起来看看湖人在西部有哪些强有力的挑战者。

（1）

Unless They're Just Plain Cursed, The One Scaring Me Most

除非他们再次被诅咒，我觉得这支球队最让我感到害怕。

Portland Trail Blazers

波特兰开拓者队

Heading into last season, on paper, the Blazers struck me as the team posing the biggest threat to the Lakers' top dog status. Then the team was bitten by the injury shark. (A mere bug isn't fierce enough to do this kind of damage). A comical 311 games were lost to injury, and despite an impressive collective resolve, bad health ultimately derailed the season.

回顾上个上赛，单从纸面上看，开拓者最让我感到震惊，因为他们构成了对湖人领头羊位置最大的威胁。然而后来这支球队被伤病侵蚀了（小伤病根本无法照成这样的损失）。开拓者上个赛季一共有311人次因为伤病缺席了比赛，尽管他们的团队精神给人留下了深刻的印象，但是糟糕的健康状况最终还是摧毁了整个赛季。

But on the plus side, it's almost impossible by definition to relive this experience. No basketball god is that vengeful, right?

但是从积极的方面看，这支球队几乎不可能再一次重复这样的经历。篮球之神不至于这么的邪恶，对吧？

The Blazers didn't do much moving or shaking this summer, but assuming the bodies are all present and accounted for, it's the same well-constructed team set to battle the Lakers. Between oodles of length (Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla and LaMarcus Aldridge), available wing defenders (Nic Batum, Wes Matthews), penetrating point guards (Andre Miller, Jarryd Bayless) and Brandon Roy's all-around talents, additional fire power wasn't really necessary. Unless an offseason of inexplicable front office firings creates a sour atmosphere, the Blazers can pick up where they left off: More than capable of providing fits for the Lakers.

这个夏天开拓者没有太多的人员调整，但是倘若所有的球员都能出现在场上打球，对于湖人来说，这将是一只良好构造、磨合完整的球队。他们有高度（坎比，奥登，普茨比拉，阿德辛里奇），有侧翼防守球员（巴图姆、马修斯），有能突破的组织后卫（米勒、贝里斯），还有罗伊这样的全面手，额外补充球队的火力看上去完全没必要。除非管理层在休假期做出什么无法理解的事情——破坏了球队的氛围，开拓者会在新赛季重拾上个赛季他们失去的：不仅仅是对付湖人。

（2）

The Young Guns

年轻的火枪手

Oklahoma City Thunder

奥克拉荷马雷霆队

A smart G.M. recognizes the value of continuity, leaving fixed what's not broken. Sam Presti is universally considered among the league's smarter general managers and clearly smells what's cooking in Oklahoma City. Thus, he wisely opted to let his rapidly improving team marinate, rather than jumpstarting the flavor by cramming a big name into the mix. The Thunder have chemistry (which sometimes means more than pure talent) and the young core of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Jeff Green, Thabo Sefolosha and Serge Ibaka gained valuable experience while serving as a legit first round challenge for the Lakers.

一个精明的总经理能够意识到延续性对球队的价值，在球队没有出现裂痕之前就注意修补。Sam Presti被认为是联盟最精明的总经理之一，他通常能清楚地察觉到奥克拉荷马城在发生什么。因此，他选择让这支快速成长的对球自我融合，而不是选择加入某个巨星去打破这种氛围。雷霆是一只有化学反应的球队（这甚至比天赋更重要），有着年轻的核心杜兰特，维斯布鲁克、哈登、杰夫格林、塞弗洛沙和依卡巴都从上个赛季第一轮挑战湖人的经历中收获了宝贵的经验。

Natural progression should allow these kids to take the next step forward.

自然而然的不断进步，应该能够让这群小孩向前迈开一大步。

I say "should" because there's always a chance of either a sophomore slump in the face of heightened expectations or increased injuries. (OKC had virtually none last season). I obviously can't predict the latter, but I'm not betting on the former. Covering this squad during the playoffs, their precociousness was evident. Heads are on straight and if a postseason rematch emerges, I'm betting it arrives in the deeper rounds.

我之所以说是“应该”，是因为有可能某个二年级球员会因为人们过高的期望或者增加的伤病而出现停滞不前的情况（这支球队事实上上个赛季没有出现这样的情况）。很显然，我不能预测后者（伤病出现），但我也不是在祈求前者的出现（过高的期望）。跟踪上个赛季季后赛的表现，他们的早熟是显而易见的。如果下个赛季这两只球队再次在季后赛相遇的话，我期望他们是在季后赛后几轮再相遇。

（3）

The "Hoping To Be A Little Younger" Guns

期望稍微年轻点的火枪手们

San Antonio Spurs

圣安东尼奥马刺

It feels like we've been waiting for Tiago Splitter to join the NBA since about 1985, but in reality, the Brazilian big has only been under the Spurs' control since the 2007 draft. The 25 year-old finally arrives this season, carrying high hopes he can provide Tim Duncan with his best frontcourt compliment since The Admiral. At the very least, Splitter, along with George Hill and DeJuan Blair, needs to provide quality minutes and fresh legs to lighten the big three's load. Pressing matters further, Richard Jefferson's opt-out may have been a pleasant surprise from a financial standpoint, but if he doesn't return, those 12 ppg, however awkwardly fitted, must be accounted for. Again, the "smaller three's" responsibility. If they're not ready to step up, it wouldn't shock me to see Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker gassed and/or banged up come playoff time.

马刺就好像从1985年起就开始等待斯普立特加入NBA，但是事实上，马刺只是从2007年选秀中得到这个巴西的大个子。这个25岁的年轻人今年终于来到球队，他承载着人们的期望，期望这是自海军上将之后的再一个跟邓肯完美搭配的前场。至少至少，斯普立特和乔治希尔、布莱尔要能够在上场时打出有水准的比赛，以此来减轻三巨头身上的担子。再往前看看，理查德杰弗森选择跳出合同从财务的角度看，是件美事。但是如果他不再回到阵中，他的每场12分，无论如何，都需要有人补上。再次强调，三个年轻人要承担起责任。如果他们没有站出来，到了季后赛，邓肯、马努、帕克再次发挥差强人意，我也不会感到任何的惊讶。

Of course, that might happen even if the kids pull their weight. Father Time can be cheated for only so long.

当然，这些年轻人站出来也是有可能的。只有很短的时间，我们拭目以待。

（4）

The Powder Keg?

火药桶？

Denver Nuggets

丹佛掘金

Let me say from the outset, I don't envy Denver's players for having to compete last year while George Karl underwent a grueling cancer battle. No matter how strong the mind, assuming the player in question is human, there will be an effect. Still, I had hoped, perhaps unrealistically and unfairly, Karl's situation would serve as a rallying force. Instead, the Nuggets seemed to come apart under interim coach Adrian Dantley, the latest chapter of disharmony for a collection of players possessing what I kindly refer to as "strong personalities."

让我从开始说起，上个赛季乔治卡尔跟癌症做斗争，掘金球员不得不单独作战。无论他们的意志力多么的顽强，问题是他们是人，他们就会受到影响。在临时主教练丹特里的带队下，掘金似乎有点分裂了，球队的不和谐表现在，似乎每个球员都有着我所说的“强烈的个性”。

The talent is there and Karl, fingers crossed, will be able to return next season, but I'm not positive his presence will be enough to right a ship filled with tense sailors, many of whom could be fixated on hidden treasures. J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin (who'll miss some time post-knee surgery) are due to hit free agency in 2011. Carmelo Anthony might test that same market and Chauncey Billups could be left with no other choice. This is a potential recipe for chaos and self interest.

他们的天赋依旧，真心希望卡尔下个赛季能够归来。但是我不能过于乐观地认为，卡尔的回归会改变这支球队的所有状况，掘金现在就像一只载满了关系紧张水手的帆船，他们都关注着“哪里隐藏着财富和宝藏”。JR史密斯和肯扬马丁在2011年应该就会进入到自由球员市场。卡梅隆安东尼也可能会试水自由球员市场，比卢普斯也没有其它更好的选择。这是一个乱糟糟、自私自利，但是又有充满潜力的队伍。

Al Harrington was a solid pick up at mid-level money, but the cash might have been better spent poaching Ron Artest's therapist for a full-time team gig. The Lakers could be the least of the Nuggets' problems.

用完全中产签下艾尔哈林顿是一个不错的选择，但是这钱花得就不像钱阿泰斯特那么值。湖人就没有掘金这些问题。

（5）

Same As It Ever Was

一如既往的

Utah Jazz

犹他爵士

I once equated the post-Stockton-Malone Utah Jazz to Bruce Springsteen. I recognize and respect the talent, but it's never moved me on a regular basis. As 2011 approaches, I'm still not predicting . . . wait for it . . . glory days for a team continuing to match up badly against the Lakers even after a key pair of additions. Al Jefferson is an upgrade over Carlos Boozer in length (not to mention treating basketball like more than just a business), but he's just as bad a defender. Raja Bell represents Wes Matthews at about one-third of the price, but also one-third the speed, dynamism and upside. Bell can also replicate some of Kyle Korver's shooting, but do you really want the shoes of two role players filled by a 34 year-old coming off wrist surgery?

一度我把“斯托克顿－马龙”这对组合看作是布鲁斯·斯普林斯汀（著名美国歌手，深受爱戴）。我承认并且尊重这支球队的天赋，但是从基本的逻辑出发，这支球队打动不了我。随着2011年的到来，我仍然不看好这支球队能在和湖人的对决中打出什么荣耀的比赛，即使他们有两笔关键的签约。艾尔杰弗森在身高上是布泽尔的升级版（对待篮球就像对待生意这个方面，更是毫无疑问的升级版），但是他也同样是个糟糕的防守者。拉贾贝尔只是马修斯三分之一的价钱，但是同样的，只有他三分之一的速度，灵动性和弹跳。贝尔也许能复制一些科沃尔的投篮，但是你真的认为这个刚从手腕手术中走出的34岁老男人能够取代那两个关键的角色球员吗？

The Jazz will undoubtedly play hard, but effort doesn't erase the fact Utah has nobody who can guard Kobe for large stretches, and the Lakers' size is still superior.

毫无疑问，爵士队会很努力地打球，但是再努力也无法掩饰爵士无人能防守科比的事实，这是湖人最大的优势。对于爵士而言，湖人依然无比强大。

（6）

The Sissyphus squad

科林斯王（希腊神）之队

Dallas Mavericks

达拉斯小牛

Every year, it's the same thing. Cuban reshuffles the deck. The deck spits out a two-seven offsuit come playoff time. Granted, this hasn't specifically happened against the Lakers, but I'm willing to assume it would. Tyson Chandler is a nice addition to Brendan Haywood to help slow Andrew Bynum, but neither lightens the scoring duties of Dirk Nowitzki, who is less capable of guarding Pau Gasol than vice versa.

每一年，都是同样的事。库班又在改组球队。现在队伍中将会有两个七尺大个出现在季后赛了。当然，这也不是专门用来为了对付湖人的，但是我愿意假设是这样。想要减缓拜纳姆，钱德勒是海伍德的一个良好的补充。但是这两个大个，都丝毫不能减轻诺维斯基得分上的压力，反过来，他们谁都不能防守保罗加索尔。

From there, matchups issues persist. Jason Kidd can barely stay in front of Derek Fisher at this stage of his career. Ron Artest has shut down much better scorers than Caron Butler. And save Shawn Marion, there is nobody to put on Kobe.

这么看，对位问题依然存在。杰森基德职业生涯也到晚期了，他也很难随时都守在费舍尔跟前。阿泰斯特能比巴特勒更好地防守对方的得分球员。别提马里昂了，没有人能按住科比的。

That rock, it's hard to push up the hill.

这支球队能有点作为，但是它还难以跨国湖人这座高山。

Wild Card #1

外卡1

Houston Rockets

休斯敦火箭

Yao Ming, Kevin Martin, and Aaron Brooks are, in theory, a three-headed monster well-suited to play together, and the versatile supporting cast runs deep. However, seeing is believing, and we've yet to get a glimpse.

姚明，凯文马丁和艾伦布鲁克斯，从理论上上，这个三头怪能很好地一起战斗。然而，眼见为实，我们至今还没有看过他们一起打球。

Wild Card #2

外卡2

Phoenix Suns

菲尼克斯太阳

On one hand, Hakim Warrick is more Amare Stoudemire "skeletal" than "lite." On the other, the dude was often a pain in the ass, and the play-making Hedo Turkoglu should fit the Suns' system like a glove. Will addition or subtraction mean more? My guess is the latter, but I also wrote off the Suns heading into last season, and they ended up in the Western Conference Finals. I'll extend a hedging benefit of the doubt at their ability to forge a sum greater than the parts.

一方面看，瓦里克是穷人版的小斯；另一方面，那个令人讨厌的家伙，同时还是个比赛掌控者特科格鲁应该能像戴手套似的很好地融合到太阳的体系中。这支球队是进步还是退步呢？我猜是后者。是我去年同样唱衰太阳无法进入季后赛，他们却闯进了西部决赛。我现在再次怀疑他们是否有将各个部分整合的能力。

Wild Card # 3

外卡3

Los Angeles Clippers

洛杉矶快船

Stop me if you've heard this before, but on paper...

如果你之前听说过，我就停下来..但是纸面看，他们还是有机会的

Still out there to help these squads

还有以下一些机会来补充这些球队

-Shaquille O'Neal: Dallas was reportedly interested, but Chandler's arrival likely nixes that. His fit elsewhere is questionable (kinda like his market value and the gas left in the tank), but wherever he does land, it's a story.

奥胖：据说达拉斯有兴趣，但是钱德勒的到来断绝了这个可能性。他适合什么地方仍然是一个问题，但是无论他到哪里，都有故事可以说。

-Brad Miller. Basically Shaq, except he's easier to picture blending in and his landing spot hardly constitutes "a story."

布拉德米勒：基本和沙克差不多，但是他好像更容易融入一个球队，而且他加入什么球队也成不了什么故事。

-Roger Mason/Marquis Daniels: Two role players coming off disappointing seasons, but versatile players capable of helping a good team and likely affordable.

梅森/丹尼尔斯：两个角色球员刚刚结束了失意的赛季，但是这样的多面手能够帮助一只本来就不错的球队，而且他们也便宜。

-Tracy McGrady: I may be in the minority, but I'm intrigued. At the right price and role ("reduced," in both cases), T-Mac is the summer's ultimate low risk/high reward guy.

麦迪：也许我的观点很少数，但是我却对我的说法很有把握。只要用适合的价格，并给他一个角色（都要“降低”），麦迪也许是这个夏天风险/回报比最低的家伙。

-Ronnie Brewer: I thought the Griz would resign him, but instead replaced him with Tony Allen. I thought the Jazz might bring him back, but instead opted for Bell. I've read Chicago is interested. Wherever he suits up, I'm a big fan.

罗尼布鲁尔：我原以为灰熊会重新签下他，但是灰熊却签下了托尼阿伦来替代他。我又以为爵士会签回他，但是爵士却选择了拉贾贝尔。我又听说芝加哥人感兴趣。无论他最终到哪里，我都是他的球迷。

-Matt Barnes: Seriously, can't he stick anywhere?

巴恩斯：老实说，他能安心呆在一个地方一段时间吗？