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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
The WNBA playoffs are set to begin with 8 teams vying1 for the title
The WNBA playoffs begin Wednesday with some key match-ups, a pending3 retirement4 and absences of some notable players. The Chicago Sky are trying to become the first back-to-back champions in 20 years.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
The women's pro5 basketball playoffs begin with eight teams seeking a title. The favorites include the Chicago Sky. They're trying to become the first back-to-back champions in 20 years. And some notable players are both playing and absent from the postseason. So let's talk it all through with NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman. Tom, good morning.
TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE6: Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: Hey, can we take stock of the WNBA? We just mentioned the first back-to-back champions in 20 years, which is just to note that this league has been around for a while. Are they getting to be a big cultural force?
GOLDMAN: I think they are. You know, questions are less about will they survive and more about how fast the league can grow by attracting more fans, more viewers, more sponsors. You know, one interesting step forward during these playoffs - in the finals, the league will pay for the two teams to fly charter. WNBA players have long complained about flying commercially. They deal with delays and cancellations and cramped7 seating, like all of us, and it's tough on them physically8. They've also said flying charter would be a true sign that they are professionals and being treated that way. Now, some owners have been willing to pay for it. WNBA Commissioner9 Cathy Engelbert has said it would cost way too much money and jeopardize10 the financial health of the league. But baby steps, Steve. All the finalists will fly charter this time.
INSKEEP: The finalists - so before that, they'll be going commercial. They're going commercial to this opening round.
GOLDMAN: Yeah.
INSKEEP: Which games and which teams stand out to you?
GOLDMAN: The Seattle Storm against the Washington Mystics is going to get a lot of attention. They're both recent WNBA champs. Seattle won in 2018 and 2020. The Mystics were wedged in between in 2019. They finished with identical records this regular season, so it should be close. And a lot of great recognizable players for Washington - forward Elena Delle Donne and her matchup against Seattle's Breanna Stewart - both former league MVPs. And Stewart is this year's AP Player of the Year. All eyes, of course, on Sue Bird, Seattle's elder stateswoman point guard, who's retiring at the end of the season, whenever that is for Seattle.
INSKEEP: And just the fact she's been around so long is another sign of the endurance of this league.
GOLDMAN: It is - 19 seasons for Sue Bird. She will retire as the career leader in assists. She's a passing wizard, one of those players teammates love to play with. And she's also credited with helping11 spur the growth of women's sport in Seattle and even nationwide. In a recent press conference, she talked about the significance of her generation of players back when the WNBA's future was more tenuous12. Here she is.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
SUE BIRD: The WNBA has turned a corner recently, right in the last couple years, in terms of popularity, people talking about us, marketing13 opportunities. And that wasn't always the case. But the one thing we could always count on was the product on the floor was going to be amazing. And I personally feel, and I'm sure I have bias14, but I personally feel that that generation - we kept the league afloat.
INSKEEP: So fans get to see Sue Bird one more time. Who do they not get to see?
GOLDMAN: They don't get to see the great center Sylvia Fowles, who, like Bird, is retiring - Fowles after 15 seasons. But her Minnesota team failed to make the playoffs. She finishes as the WNBA's all-time rebound15 leader and an eight-time All-Star. The Phoenix16 Mercury - they are in the playoffs against the No. 1 seed, Las Vegas Aces17 - dealing18 with huge losses. Another legendary19 guard, Diana Taurasi, sat out the end of the regular season with injury. She's questionable20 for the playoffs. And, of course, center Brittney Griner remains21 in Russian custody22, where she's been since February. With all that, Steve, it's amazing the Mercury got to the playoffs. But it's expected to be a quick run for them against a very good Las Vegas team.
INSKEEP: And we'll continue following that story of Griner. Tom, thanks so much.
GOLDMAN: You're welcome, Steve.
INSKEEP: NPR sports correspondent Tom Goldman.
(SOUNDBITE OF SARAH, THE ILLSTRUMENTALIST'S "NOCTURNAL JAM")
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vying
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adj.竞争的;比赛的 | |
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transcript
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n.抄本,誊本,副本,肄业证书 | |
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pending
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prep.直到,等待…期间;adj.待定的;迫近的 | |
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retirement
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n.退休,退职 | |
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pro
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n.赞成,赞成的意见,赞成者 | |
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byline
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n.署名;v.署名 | |
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cramped
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a.狭窄的 | |
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physically
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adj.物质上,体格上,身体上,按自然规律 | |
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commissioner
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n.(政府厅、局、处等部门)专员,长官,委员 | |
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jeopardize
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vt.危及,损害 | |
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helping
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n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的 | |
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12
tenuous
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adj.细薄的,稀薄的,空洞的 | |
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marketing
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n.行销,在市场的买卖,买东西 | |
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bias
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n.偏见,偏心,偏袒;vt.使有偏见 | |
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rebound
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v.弹回;n.弹回,跳回 | |
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phoenix
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n.凤凰,长生(不死)鸟;引申为重生 | |
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aces
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abbr.adjustable convertible-rate equity security (units) 可调节的股本证券兑换率;aircraft ejection seat 飞机弹射座椅;automatic control evaluation simulator 自动控制评估模拟器n.擅长…的人( ace的名词复数 );精于…的人;( 网球 )(对手接不到发球的)发球得分;爱司球 | |
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dealing
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n.经商方法,待人态度 | |
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legendary
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adj.传奇(中)的,闻名遐迩的;n.传奇(文学) | |
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questionable
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adj.可疑的,有问题的 | |
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remains
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n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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custody
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n.监护,照看,羁押,拘留 | |
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