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 been not changed since.

Bryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs. So guessing Bryant’s motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and newspaper columnists.

There are all kinds of speculations(猜测). 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 jersey to his fans.

Some speculations are more about fun. For example, there is an opinion that Kobe is actually just a diehard 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 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.

 

68. Bryant plays for _____.

A. The Los Angels Lakers               B. The Houston rockets

C. The Chicago Bulls                      D. The Miami Heats

69. Bryant wore No. 8 _____.

A. for two years and a half             B. for ten years

C. since he entered high school        D. since he left high school

70. Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant’s motive to change his number?

A. He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.

B. He wants to compare himself to Jordan.

C. He wants to earn more money.

D. He wants to show that he is man of great importance.

71. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A. When a great player retires, his team will reward him with much money.

B. A lucky number will be passed on to a new player.

C. An outstanding player’s jersey number won’t be used after his retirement.

D. A great player often changes his jersey number in the same team.

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