共用题干第二篇
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（非常执着的）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一meaning him and his
girlfriend Ye Li. 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.