如果你是數據派的球迷或是有在玩所謂的Fantasy Game的話，相信今年你一定早就發現在控球後衛這個位置上今年已經冒出一位非常優異的年輕後衛，他就是現今紐奧良黃蜂的當家先發控衛Greivis Vasquez。趁著農曆新年，筆者將翻譯兩篇文章(一篇是Vasquez的專訪，而另一篇則是探討分析Vasquez的優缺點和當年球探報告的評估)來帶著大家認識這名新生代優異控球後衛。
GREIVIS VASQUEZ IS PUSHING NEW ORLEANS INTO A NEW ERA
BY WARREN SHAW (JAN 25, 2013 / 4:00 PM)
It’s not easy balancing humility and confidence. But New Orleans Hornets point guard Greivis Vasquez is doing it. The former Maryland standout is having a breakout season in his third year in the NBA, averaging 14.3 points, 9.2 assists (third in the NBA) and 4.6 rebounds, and racking up more 20/10/5 games (points/assists/rebounds) than anyone outside of LeBron James. Yet despite dishing more dimes than stars like Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook andTony Parker, he’s still having trouble getting recognition.
在謙遜和自信之間找到平衡並不容易，但是黃蜂的控球後衛Vasquez在這一點上做得很好。馬里蘭大學的畢業生中終於在他職業生涯的第三年打出了破繭而出的球季，平均14.3分、6.8籃板同時以9.2次助攻的成績可在助攻排行榜排到第三位，同時單場20分、10助攻和5籃板的次數在全聯盟更是僅次於詹姆士大帝。儘管在數據上壓過籃網的威廉斯、雷霆的威斯布魯克和馬刺的帕克，但是大多數的球迷還是不知道他是何方神聖。
“You know I have been an underdog my whole life, my whole career,” Vasquez toldDime. “So now people are starting to think about me a little bit different but I haven’t really gotten the respect I need to get. That comes with time and that’s why I got to keep being humble and keep working because in my head I haven’t done anything yet.”
“在我整個生涯中，我總是被人低估和忽視，” Vasquez這樣告訴我們(指雜誌的編輯群)。”所以現在球迷開始覺得我打得不錯，但是我仍然沒有得到我應獲得的認可。長久以來一直是如此。而這也是為什麼我保持謙遜並且努力練習，因為在我的認知裡，我還沒有甚麼重要的成就。”
Vasquez was almost overlooked on his own team heading into this season. The Hornets had thoughts about playing rookie Austin Rivers at point guard alongside their star scorer, Eric Gordon. Then Gordon went down with a knee injury and Rivers struggled through the opening months of his rookie campaign. It opened the door for Vasquez to play big minutes. He had come into training camp with a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove he belonged as a starter. He has – the 6-6 playmaker has started every game for New Orleans this year.
在剛開始的這個球季，即使是黃蜂隊都忽視了Vasquez。黃蜂原本寄望今年第一輪第10順位選到的Austin Rivers(塞爾提克教練Doc Rivers的兒子)能夠擔任先發控球後衛來搭配明星得分後衛Eric Gordon。Gordon後來仍因為膝蓋的傷勢在開季時掛上免戰牌而Rivers從一開始就打得很掙扎。兩個原因加總起來給了Vasquez大量的上場時間。從進入訓練營開始Vasquez就積極的想證明自己值得打先發，而這位身高達到6尺6吋的大型後衛也的確先發出賽了黃蜂的每一場比賽。
“Now I’m playing with a lot of confidence and I am happy but I am not satisfied,” Vasquez says. “I think I have so much room to get better. I think Coach (Monty)Williams knows that and we all know that, but I think I am heading in the right direction.”
“現在的我在場上充滿自信，我很高興但我並不因此而滿足。”Vasquez說到”我認為我還有很大的進步空間，我感到教練Monty Williams和我都清楚這點，不過好處是我走在正確的方向。”
Vasquez is one of the bigger point guards in the league and he credits his size for giving him keen vision on the court. He also understands the mental side is just as important as his physical tools.
Vasquez是目前聯盟中體型數一數二大的控球後衛，而他也歸功於他的身高能帶給他更好的視野，同時他也清楚在球場上心智和體格同樣的重要。
“I am going against the best point guards in the world,” he says. “I want to be a guy that’s not afraid of failure and that’s why I think my confidence is really helping me. Like I always say you got to know your limits and I know my limitations. I’m not trying to do too much.”
“我得在場上對抗這個世界上最棒的一群控球後衛，我希望成為一個不畏懼失敗的人而我認為我的自信心惠我良多。像我所說的你得知道自己的極限而我知道我自己的極限，我不會去做一些我不該做或是做不到的事。”
But Vasquez still wants to push himself, still believes he must prove himself every night. That’s the way LeBron thinks. So does Kobe, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, too. Vasquez knows he’s not jumping over anyone’s head. He knows he’s not appearing on highlight reels.
盡管如此Vasquez仍然想要持續進步也認知到他每晚都要去證明自己。而那也是James、Kobe、Durant和Westbrook所在做的。Vasquez知道他不可能飛過某人的頭去灌籃，他也知道他的打法不會出現在精華集錦中。
“Sometimes I do stuff and say, ‘How in the world did I do that?’ he admits. “I am not the most athletic guy so I don’t have a step-back jumper or anything like that. I’m just crafty.”
“有些時候我做出一些動作後我問我自己:我到底在幹嘛? 我的運動能力在這個聯盟只是普普所以我根本不用做出一些像是假切後向後一步跳投或是任何相似的高難度動作，控球後衛是要用腦袋來打球的。”
He finds himself studying many of the league’s top guards, and even discovered an unlikely teacher in Russell Westbrook.
他發現自己在觀察並學習聯盟一些頂級的控衛，最讓人意想不到的對象居然是Westbrook。
“I probably shouldn’t say this but I like Westbrook’s attitude because he wants to kill you,” Vasquez says. “I mean he wants to kill you and some people don’t like it because they think he’s arrogant but that’s just who he is and that makes him that good. That’s who I am too. Obviously I am not as athletic jumping out of the gym like he does, but picking my spots I want to be like that. I want to let the other guy know, ‘Look, it’s not going to be an easy ride for you tonight. It’s going to be tough for you to get what you want. So we’re going to have to compete.’ That’s basketball, that’s what the NBA is all about.”
“我不該這樣說但我喜歡他那種一但上了場就準備把對手生吞活剝的態度，”Vasquez這麼說著”我的意思是有些人並不喜歡他這種像是要殺人的態度，這讓他們覺得Westrook太過目空一切，但這就是Westbrook而這種態度讓他如此的出色，而我也是如此。很明顯的我的體能條件並不如他這麼的出色，但是我想打得像他一樣好。我要讓聯盟其他人知道面對我時，他們會想: 好吧，這看起來不會是個輕鬆的夜晚。”想要有好表現，你得要全力以赴去競爭才行。而籃球和NBA說穿了，就是競爭。
Then there’s Chris Paul. Vasquez called the L.A. point guard his favorite matchup. He grew up watching the Wake Forest product, knows his whole career, even as far back as Paul’s high school days. Vasquez once attended Chris Paul’s summer camp. Now, he’s replacing him in The Big Easy, and in two games against Paul this year, Vasquez has played him even (15 points, 10 assists a game, one W a piece).
然後是保羅船長。Vasquez認為Paul是他最喜歡面對的對手。在他成長的過程中他一路看著Paul的比賽長大，他了解Paul的整個生涯，甚至是Paul的高中生涯也聊若指掌(馬里蘭大學和Paul所就讀的威克森林大學正好也同樣位處NCAA男籃的一級戰場ACC分區)。他甚至參加過Paul自己舉辦的夏季訓練營。現在，他接手了Paul離隊後所空出來的位置，而在今年的兩場對決雙方也戰成平手(平均15分和10助攻)。
“I get up for any match but he’s one of those matches you look forward to ’cause to me he’s the best point guard in the league right now,” Vasquez says. “When you get an opportunity to play against a guy better and with more tradition in the NBA you got to take advantage of that and make a name for yourself.”
Vasquez 說:“我從每一場比賽都學到許多東西，但是與他的對抗是你所期待的因為對我來說他是現今這個聯盟最棒的控衛。當你面對一位打得比你更棒好同時也擁有更多身處這個位置所應有的技能時，你一定要贏，然後讓人們記住你的名字。”
But Vasquez’s play hasn’t just been good against Paul. He’s been consistent all season, logging nearly 35 minutes a night, a team-best, while taking on a leadership role as a 26-year-old. He almost had to. There was no one else.
但是Vasquez不僅僅是在面對Paul時才打得比較好。他一整季都維持優異的表現，26歲的他平均一晚出賽接近35分鐘是全隊最高，通時也一肩扛下球隊的領袖重擔，這是沒有其他人能做到的。
Roger Mason is one of the few veterans in New Orleans, and he’s been a mentor to Vasquez this year. The point guard and the veteran have a close relationship, both coming from the Washington, D.C., area. Being a leader when you’re averaging 25 points a night and going to All-Star Games is easy. It’s another thing entirely to lead a group of young players all trying to make a name for themselves.
在年輕的黃蜂隊中，Roger Mason是少數的老將，同時在隊上他也扮演著Vasquez的心靈導師這個角色。兩個人都同樣來自華盛頓特區並且有著緊密的關係。當一個領導著、每晚攻下25分然後入選全明星賽並不難。但是領導一群全部想要出人頭地的年輕球員又是另外一回事。
Vasquez來自華盛頓特區，同時從馬里蘭大學畢業。
“It’s different when Tim Duncan tells you go… go out there and do this,” Vasquez says. “He’s Tim Duncan, you know what I mean? He doesn’t have to say much. I try to do it in a different way by just playing hard, competing, giving guys confidence by sharing the ball, running the offense, rotating defensively and just doing the right things. You know, that’s leadership right there.”
Vasquez 表示“當Tim Duncan叫你去做一些事的時候，因為他是TD，他不需要苦口婆心說一堆。我想你知道我的意思。我則是試著去努力練習、認真比賽，不管是進攻或是防守，並且多分享球給隊友來讓大家建立信心並且去做正確的事。領袖氣質其實就藏在這些小細節當中。”
Luckily for Vasquez, the Hornets are loaded with young talent. Early season injuries rattled them into last place in the Southwest Division. But since Christmas, they are 9-6. Eric Gordon is back and healthy, adding a scoring dimension the team didn’t have before. Ryan Anderson is one of the most underrated players in the league, and Vasquez believes the sharpshooting big man gets him at least five assists a game. Anthony Davis has struggled with injuries, but when he’s been on the court, the former No. 1 pick is productive, blocking 1.9 shots a game with a PER of almost 21. Even though he jokes the rook still needs to get him a copy of USA Todayevery day, Vasquez hopes to help Davis reach his potential by feeding the 6-10 forward the ball until he gets comfortable with his back to the hoop.
對Vasquez來說幸運的是，黃蜂充滿著具有天賦的年輕球員。剛開季時傷病讓這支球隊一度落到西南區墊底的位置。但是自從聖誕節之後他們打出了9勝6敗的佳績(譯者按:到2/8為止是12勝11敗)。Eric Gordon歸隊之後他們終於有了能自行單打取分的球員。Ryan Anderson也是聯盟中被低估的球員之一，Vasquez相信這位投籃出色的大個子每場可以幫他賺進至少5次助攻。選秀狀元Anthony Davis剛開季也同樣受到傷是困擾，但歸隊後平均每場可送出1.9次的阻攻並且有著接近21的PER(計算球員效率的一種指標，由著名的數據專家John Hollinger所創)。盡管Vasquez常開玩笑說每天要給Davis一份USA Today(報紙)才能激勵他再接再厲，他仍然希望靠著不斷餵球給Davis來讓他習慣NBA等級的激烈競爭最終來激發出他的潛力來。
“Playing with him is a privilege,” Vasquez says of Davis. “Unfortunately he got injured at the beginning of the season, which set him back a little bit. But what I like about him is that he’s always smiling. He’s always happy. He’s a happy kid and that’s contagious.”
Vasquez談到Davis時表示”跟他在一起打球非常讓人高興，只不過不幸的是他一開季就受了傷，這讓他花了點時間才再次跟上聯盟的節奏。我喜歡他的地方在於他臉上永遠掛著笑容，他永遠感到高興而這笑容是具有感染力的。”
But it starts on the bench with Monty Williams, a young coach learning on the fly just as his team is. Last year, Williams guided them through an injury-riddled season. At some points, they only had seven or eight healthy bodies. Now he’s earned the trust of his players, and in turn, Williams is allowing his up-and-coming point guard more freedom on the offensive end.
但是一切的故事都是從坐在板凳上的教練Monty Williams開始的。年輕的教練也逐漸了解到他的球隊正在起飛當中。去年，Williams引導著他們度過一個充滿傷病的球季。球隊一度遭遇到只有7-8名健康球員能出賽的困境。但是現在他贏得了球員的信任同時他也給予他的控衛在進攻端更多自由發揮的空間。
“I got to follow his gameplan,” Vasquez says. “I listen to his calls most of the time, but when I tell him, ‘I see this on the court right now. Let me run this play,’ he lets me because we have built that trust. Not every time, but most of the time when I do it, he lets me run the play I call. That’s why I am playing with so much confidence because when I do it every now and then and it works, it builds confidence on our team, and confidence with me and him.”
Vasquez說:“我必須依照他的比賽計畫，大多數時候我要遵從他的戰術佈陣。但有一次我跟他說在比賽的當下我發現了一些東西，所以在這一次進攻中讓我來隨機應變決定怎麼打。他讓我這麼做因為我們再彼此之間已經建立了信任。盡管不是每次，但是大部分時候當我有自己的想法時，他會讓我放手去做。同時也因為我自己下的戰術往往能夠成功，也讓我和隊友們打得越來越有自信，信賴感也在我們之間逐漸產生。”
Ryan Anderson was the recipient of the NBA’s Most Improved Player award last season. Now, ironically, Vasquez has a chance to win it this year. It’s been a journey for the former Montrose Christian School (HS) star, going from DNPs early in his rookie season with Memphis to logging time with the Grizz in the 2011 Postseason to emerging in Louisiana. And while he doesn’t play for individual awards, he does expect the general opinion of his game to eventually change. When you make the right moves when no one is watching, he explains, good things will follow.
Ryan Anderson是上一季的聯盟最佳進步獎得主。而現在，他的隊友Vasquez有機會在今年贏得這座獎項。他的這段球員旅程從Montrose Christian School這所高中的明星球員開始，進入NBA後的新人球季整季坐在灰熊的板凳上，然後跟著灰熊在上一季打過季後賽再輾轉來到路易斯安納。儘管他打球的目的不是為了個人獎項，但是他的確希望觀眾開始認為他和別的球員有所不同。他這麼解釋著:只要你做出正確的決定，接下來一定會有好事發生的。
“I am not going to change anything,” he says. “At some point people are going to say, ‘You know this kid is doing the right things to be one of the elite point guards, and a starting point guard in this league on any team.’ That’s my goal. If I am the Most Improved Player that will be great because you want recognition. But if I’m not, that’s not going to change my work ethic or my thought process.”
他說:”我不會去改變任何事。我的目標是終於有一天人們會說出:”這小夥子打得很好，他是聯盟頂尖的控衛之一並且能在任何一支球隊勝任先發的工作。如果我能夠拿到最佳進步獎當然很棒，這表示你獲得了認同。不過就算沒有拿到，我還是不會去改變我的工作紀律和思維。””
The Hornets have a vision: possibly playoffs this season – definitely a playoff run next year. It won’t be easy in the Western Conference. A .500 record won’t get you to the second season. But the fans respect it, and Vasquez wants to repay them for being so loyal even as the team has struggled. He thrives off that attitude.
黃蜂隊今年打進季後賽的機率不會太高(譯者按:原文是作possibly playoffs this season，不過考量到分區強度和球隊近況，這裡譯者做了一點文義上的改變)。雖然待在即使有五成勝率都無法保證有季後賽可打的西區，但是明年仍然充滿了希望。因為球迷的熱情，儘管球隊舉步維艱，Vasquez卻明確表達了希望能長久待在紐奧良並成為球隊的象徵的積極態度。
“We can’t forget about the people that don’t have the privilege that we have in the NBA,” he says.
他說:”我們不能忘記那些每晚為我們加油的平凡球迷。”
It’s hard not to root for Vasquez. He made his name. Nothing was given to him. Now that he’s finally earned some success in the NBA, all he wants is more of it. The journey never stops.
你很難不去支持Vasquez。他打響了自己的名號。在此之前他不被重視，而現在他為自己贏得了一些聲望和成功。不過他要的更多，而旅程仍未結束。
Is Vasquez the most improved player in the league this year?
猜猜看，Vasquez會不會是這一季的年度最佳進步獎得主？
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