From being overweight to becoming an NBA superstar
Nikola Jokić is one of the best basketball players in the world. The 211-cm Serbian superstar regularlydominatesother players in the NBA. To fans, it may seem like basketball comes easy to Jokić, but in truth,he has put ina lot of effort to get to the top.
Jokić was born on February 19, 1995 in Serbia, a country between Central and Southern Europe. He fell in love with basketball at a young age after his brothers introducedhim to the sport. Even though he was overweight and couldn’t even do a single push-up, he had a natural talent for basketball. To make up forhis lack of fitness, he relied onhis height and developed an incredibleinstincton the court.
As he grew, Jokić perfectedhis game playing against older players in Serbia. His talent eventuallycaught the attention of NBA scouts. In 2014, he was chosen to join the Denver Nuggets. He made an immediateimpactin the league and kept getting better each year. In 2021, Jokić became the first center in 21 years to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This secured his position as one of the league’s best players.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
regularly
[ˋrɛgjəlɚlɪ]
adv. 經常地
This food, if eaten regularly, will affect your health.
這個食物如果經常吃會影響健康。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
introduce
[͵ɪntrəˋdjus]
vt. 介紹；引進，推出（產品等）、使認識
The chairman introduced the speaker to the audience.
主席向聽眾介紹這位演講者。
The company introduced a new product recently.
這家公司最近推出了一項新產品。
Paper, gunpowder, and compasses were introduced into the West from China.
紙張、火藥和指南針從中國傳入西方。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
perfect
[ pɚˈfɛkt ]
vt. 使完美，改善
Raymond perfected his French by living in Paris for years.
雷蒙透過在巴黎居住多年來精進自己的法語。
高中 Level 2
●
scout
[skaʊt]
vi. 偵察，尋找
n. 童子軍、球探;星探
=
search
I’m scouting around for a school that has a good English learning program.
我在找尋有優良英語學習課程的學校。
I’m looking around for a school that has a good English learning program.
我在找尋有優良英語學習課程的學校。
The boy scouts are taught to do a good deed a day.
這些男童軍被教導要日行一善。
The player was spotted by a scout in high school.
這名球員在高中時就被球探看上。
高中 Level 3
●
immediate
[ɪˋmidɪɪt]
a. 立刻的；最接近的，直接的
There was an immediate response to Mary’s request.
瑪莉的要求立刻得到回應。
The man’s immediate heir was his son.
這位男子的直接繼承人就是他兒子。
高中 Level 3
●
inspiring
[ɪnˋspaɪrɪŋ]
a. 激勵人心的，具啟發性的
Many said this book was very inspiring.
許多人表示這本書十分激勵人心。
英檢初級
高中 Level 4
國中
●
overweight
[ˋovɚ͵wet]
a. 過重的
多益藍色
英檢中級
●
dominate
[ˋdɑmə͵net]
vt. 統治，支配；（山脈或建築物）俯瞰、在⋯⋯中佔主要地位、對⋯⋯有壓倒優勢
=
rule
The strong animal dominated the weak animal.
這隻強壯的動物支配那隻弱小的動物。
The big mountain dominates the landscape.
這座大山俯瞰四周的景色。
The house on the hilltop dominates the whole valley.
山頂上的這間房子可俯瞰整座山谷。
The house on the hilltop overlooks the whole valley.
山頂上的這間房子可俯瞰整座山谷。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
incredible
[ɪnˋkrɛdəb!]
a. 難以置信的
=
unbelievable
It’s incredible that Victor speaks English so fluently without an accent.
維克多英文講得這麼流利又沒口音，真令人難以置信。
多益綠色
英檢中高
高中 Level 4
●
instinct
[ˋɪnstɪŋkt]
n. 本性；本能；直覺
Fear of the unknown is a common instinct.
對未知的恐懼是人類共有的本性。
Birds do not learn to build nests, but build them by instinct.
鳥類並沒有學習去築巢，而是依本能去築巢。
Over the years, the explorer has learned to rely on his instincts.
多年來，這名探險家學會倚賴直覺。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
eventually
[ɪˋvɛntʃʊəlɪ]
adv. 終究，到頭來
=
finally
=
lastly
=
sooner or later
The ship will have to be repainted eventually.
這艘船終究還是要重新上漆。
Eventually everyone must die.
每個人到頭來都須一死。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
impact
[ɪmˋpækt]
n. 影響，衝擊（常與介詞 on 並用）
vt. 對……產生影響
The writer's style had a deep impact on his literary successors.
這位作家的風格對後世文人有深遠的影響。
Many experts believe the new policy will greatly impact the society.
許多專家都認為那項新政策會對社會帶來巨大衝擊。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
secure
[sɪˋkjʊr]
.vt. 獲得；弄牢
a. 安全的
=
safe
After beating France, Germany secured a place in the World Cup Finals.
打敗法國隊之後，德國隊取得了進入世界盃決賽的席位。
The tables at this restaurant are all secured firmly to the floor.
這家餐廳的桌子都被緊緊地固定在地板上。
Endangered species should besecure against poachers.
瀕臨絕種的物種應該要避免受到盜獵者所危害。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
Practical Phrases
●
introduce A to B
把 A 介紹給 B，向 B 介紹 A
The chairmanintroduced the speaker to the audience.
主席向聽眾介紹這位演講者。
The Dutch were the first to introduce tea to Europe.
首次將茶引進歐洲的是荷蘭人。
●
make up for
補償／彌補⋯⋯
Ben bought Molly a box of chocolates to make up for being late.
班送茉莉一盒巧克力以彌補遲到。
●
rely on...
依賴……；信賴……
= count on...
= depend on / upon...
I know he is a man I can always rely on.
我知道他是一個可信賴的人。
請從下欄選出最適合的句子來完成該句
___❶ This class aims to introduce students
___❷ Matt is a baseball scout
___❸ The company is trying to
A. find ways to perfect its system.
B. who searches for good players.
C. to the basics of science.
D. by relying on others for support.
從小胖弟蛻變成 NBA 巨星
尼古拉．約基奇是世界上最優秀的籃球員之一。這位身高兩百一十一公分的塞爾維亞巨星經常在 NBA 比賽中輾壓全場。在球迷看來，打籃球對約基奇似乎是駕輕就熟的事，但事實上，他付出了許多努力才得以躋身頂尖之列。
約基奇於 1995 年二月十九日出生於塞爾維亞，這是一個位於中歐與南歐之間的國家。他年幼時在哥哥們帶他認識籃球後就愛上了這個運動。儘管他當時體重過重，甚至連一個伏地挺身都做不了，他卻有與生俱來的籃球天賦。為了彌補體能上的不足，他仰賴身高並在場上培養出驚人的直覺。
隨著年齡漸長，約基奇在塞爾維亞和其他球員交手時不斷完善自己的打球技巧。他的才華最終吸引了 NBA 球探的注意。2014 年，他獲選加入丹佛金塊隊。他立即在聯盟中產生影響，並每年不斷進步。2021 年，約基奇成為二十一年來首位獲得 NBA 最有價值球員獎（ MVP）的中鋒。這鞏固了他作為聯盟最佳球員之一的地位。
