Dear Sir,
In this sentence - When the Houston Rockets signed Greek star Vassilis Spanoulis over the summer, they hoped he would be "a rotation player" - what does "a rotation player" mean?
Rockets Fan
Dear Rockets Fan,
A rotation player is a "reserve" or "substitute" who gets to play regularly in a game. He's not a "starter", but is nonetheless an important player. He plays significant "minutes". He's a key "bench player".
Let me explain all of those terms.
First, "rotation" refers to a team's substitution pattern (who replaces whom and when) in a game. Good and established teams usually develop a somewhat predictable pattern in which certain "bench players" (who begin a game on the bench, the long narrow stool along the sidelines of the court) replace certain "starters" (players who "start" a game on the court) at certain stages of a game.
An NBA team carries a maximum of 15 players, but only 12 are eligible to play in each game.
Since basketball is a five-a-side game, each team is allowed to field five players on court at any given time.
The five players who play at the start of each game are hence called "starters". They are the most important members of a team, in contrast to those who sit on the bench waiting for their turn to play - which opportunity, for some, may never come.
Teams usually have an 8- or 9-player rotation, meaning only the starters plus a few key substitutes get to play regularly. These substitutes are therefore "rotation players" - They are "in rotation". Along with starters, they play significant minutes, or playing time. An NBA game lasts 48 minutes. Players who play more of those minutes tend to be more important members of a team, for obvious reasons.
Starters usually get to play 30 minutes or more. Rotation players or key substitutes play about 20 minutes. Others who are said to be sitting at the farthest end of the bench get to play only a few minutes, if at all.
For example, Yao Ming is a starter. Dikembe Mutombo, who mostly substitutes for Yao during a game, is a key reserve and a rotation player. Spanoulis is not a rotation player yet. He's currently stuck on the bench. Spanoulis played 4 minutes in their 107-76 victory over the Mavericks on Sunday. He did not play in their 96-90 setback against the Hornets earlier this morning.
For the moment, Spanoulis is a bit-part player, in the same way some actors or actresses play small bit-part roles in a movie.
Which reminds me of the role Wang Zhizhi played during the last two years of his NBA career.
Unhappy to grow old on the bench, Wang returned home to rejoin his alma mater team of Ba Yi in the CBA. He has since locked up a place in the team's rotation. In fact, he is a fixture in the starting lineup.
For better or for worse, Wang's fortunes have changed.
上一篇: Why shambles?
下一篇: On the ropes?
国际英语资讯:Chinese delegation follows up on Lebanons new conservatory
体坛英语资讯:Alaves confirm signing of forward Lucas Perez
体坛英语资讯:Looking forward to coming next year, says Thai coach Yodyadthai
国内英语资讯:Interview: Chinas BRI creates tremendous opportunities for cooperation, expert says
国际英语资讯:11 centers set up to fight cholera in Idai-hit areas of Mozambique: UN
国内英语资讯:China to improve peoples livelihood with intensified efforts
国内英语资讯:Economic Watch: Robust factory, service activities show stable economic fundamentals
报告指出 短视频推动互联网增长
国际英语资讯:U.S. envoy says Washington seeks new deal with Tehran
体坛英语资讯:Boe sweeps mens globes in biathlon World Cup
BBC推荐:四月份最值得一看的4部电影
国际英语资讯:Year of tourism for China, Pacific island countries launched to promote cultural, personnel
体坛英语资讯:French Open whole matchday cancelled through rain
除了“熬夜党”和“早起鸟”,其实还有一种人是“午睡派”
国际英语资讯:British lawmakers reject all four Brexit options in second round of unbinding vote
国际英语资讯:Zelensky, Poroshenko advance to second round of Ukraines presidential election: exit poll
国际英语资讯:Venezuelas Supreme Court seeks to strip Guaido of parliamentary immunity
The Balance Between Study and Amusement 学习与娱乐之间的平衡
哪些瓜果的皮能吃,但没人知道?
求职者看过来!破解最常见的五个面试问题
国内英语资讯:Senior legislator stresses law enforcement to improve higher education
国内英语资讯:Beijing sets up investment fund for its sub-center
My Secret 我的秘密
国际英语资讯:Dozens killed in clashes between troops, rebels in south Yemen
国际英语资讯:Interview: China-Africa expo to boost economic and trade ties
国际英语资讯:BiH authorities urged to address increasing number of migrants
亚马逊推出信用卡了,面向信用不太好的人
关于樱花你可能不知道的10件事
体坛英语资讯:Klopp not yet done with Liverpool, says Hitzfeld
体坛英语资讯:China confirmed as host of AFC Asian Cup 2023