WhenI was in high school, the day I hated most was test day, there wasnothing worse than having the strain that comes with preparing for abig test, and the stress that comes with actually taking the test. Wellthat is until I started at APU this Fall, now Mid-Terms and Finals takethat spot.
当我还在高中生的时候，我最讨厌的就是考试的那些日子，没有什么事情会比准备一场重要考试时的那种紧张状态和真正进入考试时的压力更糟的了。直到今年秋天我上了APU大学，然而取而代之的却是期中和期末的考试。
Withthat being said, the Los Angeles Lakers are about embark on somethingmore challenging than their 9 game road trip in February. A 4-gameMid-Western swing, where they will step toe-to-toe, like 2 dancers onthe floor, with 4 of the top teams not only in the Western Conference,but the entire NBA.
之所以说这些，是因为湖人队正经历着比二月份的九连客更具有挑战意义的赛程。四场密集的中西部客场之旅，他们所要面对的对手不仅在西部，就算在整个NBA也是顶尖的。
Withsuch a test in front of them, what are the questions that will need tobe answered for the Lakers to have a successful roadie?
面临着如此考验，湖人想要全身而退的话还有哪些问题必须解决？
How do the Lakers match up with each team?
湖人应该如何才能战胜各支队伍？
NewOrleans Hornet: This brings a challenge for the Lakers, as opposingpoint guards have seemed to have their way vs. the Lakers. The key willbe to make the brilliant Chris Paul a scorer and not a playmaker. Intheir last meeting, Paul had 32 points, but only 5 assists as theLakers dominated early and often to embarrass the Hornets by 29 pointsin New Orleans.
新奥尔良黄蜂队：这对湖人来说是一个挑战，对方的控球后卫似乎有办法来对付湖人。关键的一点就是要让才华横溢的保罗充当一个得分手，而不是一个进攻组织者。在两队上场交锋中，保罗拿下32分，但是只有5次助攻，湖人早早地统治了比赛而且在新奥尔良让黄蜂吞下了29分落败的苦果。
HoustonRocket: The hottest team in the NBA is firing on all cylinders. TracyMcGrady is playing some of the best ball of his career. The Lakers andRockets have split the past 2 meetings, both teams winning on theother’s home court. This will be a battle of wills, and the Lakers willhave to play their best to bring the Rockets back to earth.
休斯顿火箭队：目前NBA最炙手可热的球队。麦蒂打出了职业生涯最为出色的一些比赛。湖人和火箭在上两次交手中都是在对方的主场取得胜利。这将会是一场意志力的决斗，湖人将会尽全力将火箭打回原形。
DallasMavericks: This is the game that does not worry me as much as theothers. So that means this is a game we could very easily lose if weare not focused, (see Sacramento game). We match up very well with theMavericks, and they have no answer for Kobe Bryant, as he always seemsto play his best against the Mavericks. The key to the game is to notlet the Mavericks have the edge in the physical play.
达拉斯小牛队：这是一场我最不担心的比赛。这也意味着如果我们不集中精力就很容易会输掉的比赛（看看对国王的比赛就知道了）。我们对小牛有心理优势，他们对科比也无对策，而且科比对小牛时往往有出色表现。这场比赛的关键就是不能让小牛有身体上的优势。
UtahJazz: Finally, this marathon ends in a place that has never been toofriendly to the Los Angeles Lakers… Utah. They have played extremelywell ever since the trade for Kyle Korver. Deron Williams always givesthe Lakers fits, and we need to slow him down, and not allow Boozer todominate the paint.
犹它爵士队：终于，这场马拉松就要在犹它结束了，可这一直以来都是湖人的不祥之地。自从交易来了科沃尔之后他们表现得近乎完美。德隆总是给予湖人突然一击，我们要想方设法限制住他，且不能让布泽尔在内线肆意妄为。
Can the Lakers regain true focus?
湖人能够重新获得关注吗？
Saywhat you want, the Lakers have not looked like the most focused groupsince the great game vs. Dallas. Will they be ready to play against theelite competition that this road trip brings? And will they keep theircomposure when things seem to be going wrong?
说什么都好，在对小牛的伟大一役前湖人似乎都不是最令人关注的球队。他们做好准备去迎接这次客场之旅的强劲对手了吗？当陷入逆境时他们会保持沉着冷静吗？
Will the Lakers add Ira Newble?
湖人会签下艾拉·纽贝尔吗？
Therehas been speculation that the Lakers are considering adding Ira Newble,I for one think he would be an excellent pick up, and can really helpthe team defense. He is a veteran and could be a big piece for thebench, as the playoffs inch closer and closer.
湖人在考虑签下艾拉·纽贝尔，我认为他是一个优秀的传球手，并且确实能在防守上给予球队帮助。他是一名经验丰富的老将而且在季后赛即将到来时他会成为板凳上一名重要棋子。
Will Kobe clinch the MVP on the trip?
科比能在客场之旅中锁定MVP吗？
Ifthe Lakers can go 3-1 or even 4-0, that should lock up the MVP for KobeBryant. This is why he is paid the big bucks. To deliver when theseason is in the balance. The Lakers have a golden chance here to dosomething really big and put some distance between us and the rest ofthe west. It is up to the Big Mamba, to make sure that focus remainsstrong, and that should be no problem, as this is what he lives for.
如果湖人能够以3胜1负或4战全胜结束征程，那么科比将会是MVP的不二人选。这就是为什么他一直都付出大量的努力。在赛季未结束的时候让这一切尘埃落定吧。湖人现在有一个极佳的机会去赢得一些相当重要的胜利来拉开和其它队伍的距离。这要取决于黑曼巴，来确保球队势如破竹，一如既往，这也是他一直盼望的。
Thisis certainly a big trip for the Lakers. Do well, and take control ofthe Western Conference. Lose focus, and possibly fall back to themiddle of the pack. Yes, this a big test for the Los Angeles Lakers,and its time to see what this team is really made of. And to think, allthis intensity and importance on 4 games without our up and comingyoung phenom Andrew Bynum.
对湖人而言这确实是一段重要的客场之旅。表现得好，就能在西部领先群雄。失败的话，则有可能掉回中间位置。这是对湖人的一次考验，也该是时候检验一下湖人的成色了。再想想，前途无量的年轻小将拜纳姆仍然无法参加这四场密集而又重要的比赛。
It’stime for the Lakers to step up to the plate and play some playoff gamesin March. The bell is about to ring, will the Lakers answer the call?We will know by this time next week!
三月了，湖人是时候向冠军发起冲击并打出一些季后赛水准的比赛了。征战即将开始，湖人会应付自如吗？这一切将会在下周此时揭晓。
