MOST PEOPLE APPRECIATE[1] MICHAEL JORDAN as a premier[2] athlete who can run fast, jump high and routinely deliver in the clutch[3]. To them, he's simply physically superior[4] to his contemporaries.

许多人认为乔丹具有极高的天赋。
APPRECIATE[1].ap-=ad=+preciatevt, vi鉴赏；欣赏；赏识
A sensitive mouth is necessary to appreciate good wine.
品尝好酒需要敏感的嘴.
premier[2].adj 首要的
clutch[3].(pl) 控制；掌握；权力
in the clutches of the enemy 落入敌手
superior[4].来自拉丁词 superus 的比较级 superior
（常与to连用）地位高的

All this is true, but there are other truths about Michael that are not so easily seen: his understanding of team concepts, his competitive drive[1] and his compassion. It's these hidden truths that form the deepest bond between Michael and me.

但他也经过了不懈的努力。
drive[1].干劲；动力
He's clever but he won't succeed beause he lacks drive.
他聪明是聪明，可是没有干劲，做事不会成功。

 

I must confess[1] to being spoiled by Michael's leadership and by his ability to rise to every competitive occasion. He could easily average around 30 points a game, but he's committed to team goals and to making his teammates more effective.

乔丹具有领导才能和个人能力。
confess[1].v.（与to连用）承认
I confess to being considering starting a new project.
我承认我正在考虑筹建一个新项目。

After coaching him for eight seasons, I still marvel[1] at how much Michael's enthusiasm[2] energizes us, even at practice. I mean he never takes a day off. As a player, I had only modest skills, so I always had to operate at a maximum effort to compete. His work ethic is an important personal bond between us.

他很执着。
marvel[1].v.（与at, that连用）对…感到惊奇
We marvelled at his skill.
我们对他的技艺深感。
enthusiasm[2].n. 狂热, 热心, 积极性, 激发热情的事物

The one thing about Michael is, he takes nothing about his game for granted. When he first came to the NBA back in 1984, he was primarily a penetrator. His outside shooting wasn't up to pro[1] standards. So he put in his gym time during the off-season, shooting hundreds of shots each day. Eventually, he became a deadly three-point shooter.

例如，他曾苦练三分球。
pro[1].n.专业人员；职业人员

Playing outstanding[1] defense didn't come automatically to him, either. He had to study his opponents, learn their favorite moves and then dedicate himself to learning the techniques necessary to stop them. He's worked extremely hard to perfect his footwork and his balance.

他对防守也非常用心。
outstanding[1].n. out-出stand站+-ing…的；“站出来的”→ adj 杰出的；著名的