巴蒂尔：连胜结束后重新集中精力 姚明也爱看NCAA(2)

　　The Western Conference playoffs are extremely close. It really is a race for the ages. Every team is so close, that if you lose 2 or 3 games in a row, you may drop 4 to 5 spots in the playoffs. It is crazy. With Carl Landry returning to our team, it gives us a huge confidence boost and makes our team much better, especially with Yao missing.

　　People often ask me what it is like in our locker room. In March, we hold an NCAA college basketball tournament competition. In America, many people try to predict how the college basketball tournament will turn out. It is a great time because every one on the team thinks that they know the most about basketball. Everyone follows the games very closely and there is much debate over who will win and who will lose. Even the guys who didn't go to an American university like Yao and Luis Scola fill out a bracket and enter the competition.

　　I am sad to say that one of my picks, my alma mater and beloved Duke Blue Devils, lost today. When I was at Duke, we won the national championship in 2001. It remains the biggest highlight of my basketball career to this day. Whenever Duke loses, especially in the NCAA tournament, I receive a lot of phone calls and text messages because many people are jealous of Duke and want to rub it. I just laugh when this happens though.........and show them my championship ring!!!!!! That usually quiets them.

　　Well, I have to go, we play the Phoenix Suns tonight, it is a big game, so I will go and get ready now.

　　Cheer us on!

　　Your friend,

　　Shane