独孤求败还是赌博泥潭？乔丹首次退役何为？洗一洗神的灰尘——详实翻译当年新闻由BlowMyLilBro 发表在湿乎乎的话题 https://bbs.hupu.com/vote
近日，老詹和乔神的相关讨论吵得热火朝天。不少乔密指出乔神首次三连后独孤求败，感到厌倦，因此选择急流勇退，而后复出又再次三连，成就神迹，并要求老詹做到乔神这样才有讨论资格。
作为年轻球迷，乔神的时代与我相距遥远，对乔丹的认知也均是道听途说。直到近日乔密翻出当年录像，才让我大开眼界，产生了深深怀疑。
因此，较真的我翻出尘封的历史，试图探寻乔神退役的真相。如果不能，也可提供一些事实的参考，在座各位自有判断。
警告，全文详实，但是篇幅较长。
以下为1993年8月，乔丹退役之前，《华盛顿邮报》的相关报道，本人仅作简要翻译，请诸位赏析：
附上原文链接：https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/08/01/jordans-gambling-undergoes-intense-scrutiny-again/a4f909e6-f01f-41ab-9428-b25831441424/ 标题：JORDAN'S GAMBLING UNDERGOES INTENSE SCRUTINY AGAIN（乔丹的赌博问题再次引发巨大关注）
By Bill Brubaker August 1, 1993作者：Bill Brubaker，1993年8月1日
After revelations last year that Michael Jordan had played high-stakes golf games with James "Slim" Bouler, a convicted cocaine dealer, the National Basketball Association promised to investigate. The league interviewed Jordan, warned him not to associate with Bouler and concluded that the Chicago Bulls star did not have a gambling problem. End of investigation.
去年，在乔丹与一个可卡因贩子James "Slim" Bouler玩高尔夫赌博的事情被揭露出来之后，NBA承诺进行调查。联盟询问了乔丹，警告他不要和Bouler有任何关联，并得出了MJ没有赌博问题。随后调查结束。
But a year later, the world's wealthiest and most famous basketball player is still dogged by allegations that he's a gambler who has no limits. In June, a San Diego businessman, Richard Esquinas, alleged in a self-published book that he was owed $1.25 million by Jordan after a 10-day golf gambling binge. Esquinas said they negotiated a $300,000 settlement, a figure Jordan publicly confirmed.
但是一年以后，这个最知名的篮球运动员仍然深陷关于他是一个无节制赌棍的指控。今年6月，生意人Richard Esquinas在他自己出版的一本书中指控乔丹欠他125万美元的高尔夫球赌资。Esquinas说他们谈判达成了30万美元的和解，乔丹公开承认了这一点。
More recently, Jordan has been reported to have won money gambling with the New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor (on golf) and the Los Angeles Clippers' Mark Jackson (on cards). Jackson says he played cards with Jordan but didn't lose any money. Taylor says his debt to Jordan was substantially less than the $150,000 that has been reported.
最近，媒体又有许多关于乔丹赌博的报道。赌博的相关人员说没输很多，但确实赌了。
Now, for the second time in two years, the NBA has retained Frederick Lacey, a former federal judge and U.S. attorney, to look into Jordan's gambling activities. And for a second straight year, questions are being raised about Jordan's associations and how aggressively the image-conscious NBA wants to dig into his off-court life.
现在，NBA委托了前联邦法官和执业律师Frederick Lacey，在两年内第二次对乔丹的赌博行为进行调查。人们开始质疑乔丹与外界的关系，并质疑注重形象的NBA调查他的场外生活的深入程度。
"I gambled and played golf with Michael for six summers but the NBA hasn't even called me," said Bouler, who was convicted in 1986 of selling cocaine and who this spring began serving a nine-year federal prison sentence for money laundering and gun-related violations. "What kind of an investigation is that?"
Buoler说：“我和乔丹玩高尔夫赌博有6个夏天了，但是NBA甚至都没有给我打过电话（来调查）”，“这算哪门子调查？” Bouler今年春季因为贩毒、高利贷和枪支暴力被判处9年有期徒刑。
In what he described as his first extensive interview, Bouler said he played golf with Jordan as many as 50 times from 1986 to 1991 and loaned him thousands of dollars to play big-money card games, often with the understanding he'd receive a percentage of Jordan's winnings.
Bouler声称，在1986至1991年间，他和乔丹赌博不下50次，经常借钱给乔丹赌博并抽成。
"The question needs to be asked: Why hasn't Jordan been called in this summer by the NBA to discuss his gambling?" said Bob Costello, Esquinas's New York-based lawyer.
Esquinas（前面提到的生意人）的律师Bob Costello说：“有一个问题必须要问：为什么这个夏天乔丹没有被NBA叫去询问他的赌博问题？”
A self-described compulsive gambler, Esquinas was interviewed by Lacey on July 12.
自称有很大赌瘾的赌棍Esquinas在7月12号被Lacey（前文提到的NBA委托的前联邦法官）询问相关问题。
"Richard offered to talk to the NBA under oath but Lacey said that wasn't necessary," said Costello, a former assistant U.S. attorney. "I think the NBA is interested in seeing if there's a way {Jordan's gambling} can all be covered up."
“Richard（即Esquinas）主动提出要和NBA谈谈，但是Lacey说 ‘没有必要’ ”，“我认为NBA在想办法看能不能帮乔丹把赌博麻烦掩饰过去”。Costello（即Esquinas的律师）说道。
The Jordan gambling saga illustrates a vexing issue faced by professional sports leagues: what to do about star athletes who engage in activities that are legal but potentially damaging to the integrity of their leagues?
乔丹的赌博事迹给这个职业体育联盟带来了麻烦：当你的头号球星深陷赌博泥潭的时候，该怎么让联盟保持安然无恙呢？
Bulls vice president-basketball operations Jerry Krause has said repeatedly in the past year that he has no interest in Jordan's gambling activity because he has violated no club or league rules and "that's Michael's private business."
公牛队的篮球事务副总裁Jerry Krause在过去的一年中总是重复说他对乔丹的赌博行为不感兴趣，强调“那是MJ的私事呢”。
The NBA hasn't taken any disciplinary action against Jordan. By contrast, in 1991 then-baseball commissioner Fay Vincent placed Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Lenny Dykstra on probation for a year after he piled up $78,000 in poker and golf debts to a gambler in Mississippi.
NBA还没有对乔丹进行任何纪律处分。与此形成鲜明对比的是，1991年，时任棒球专员的Fay Vincent让费城费城人队(Philadelphia Phillies)中心外野手Lenny Dykstra缓刑一年，因为戴克斯特拉在密西西比州向一位赌徒欠下了大额扑克和高尔夫球赌债。
"It's a difficult issue: to draw the distinction between whether a player is doing something that's maybe not in his best interests," said NBA Deputy Commissioner Russell Granik, who has participated in the Jordan inquiries, "and whether the player has either violated a league rule or done something that threatens the integrity of our business. "But we don't feel we're in a position to interfere in every player's private life to {require him} to live up to certain standards that somebody else might set." Spotlight on NBA.
NBA说我们没有资格去介入球员的私生活。
Bouler and Costello aren't alone in questioning the seriousness of the NBA's probe.
Bouler和Costello 不是唯一两位对于NBA官方的调查行为的严肃性有疑问的人。
One NBA general manager, who asked not to be identified, said last week the league has soft-pedaled its investigation to protect its showcase player from further embarrassment.
一位不愿透露姓名的NBA总经理上周表示，联盟已经放慢了调查的脚步，避免自己的头号球员受到更多的尴尬。
"The league is stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said. "I sense that Michael has gotten preferential treatment because the league needs Michael to participate in many activities that promote the NBA. So they can't afford to get him angry. I wonder if another player had this problem if there wouldn't be a more ardent pursuit of the facts."
“联盟现在进退两难。”他说，“我感觉MJ受到了特别照顾，因为联盟需要乔丹来提升赛事影响力，所以他们不敢惹怒乔丹。我怀疑如果是别的球员犯下这些事，联盟追查事实会不会更用力点。”
Under NBA rules, players can be disciplined if they are found to have bet on pro basketball games or if -- in the judgment of the commissioner -- they bring disrepute to the league. There are no other NBA rules concerning gambling in general.
根据NBA规则，球员除非是参与了赌球，或者联盟总裁认定其行为对联盟声誉有影响，才会受到处罚。一般来说，NBA没有其他关于赌博的规定。
Jordan says he has never bet on an NBA game. Sources say the NBA has heard an allegation that Jordan has at least a passing interest in sports betting. But there is no evidence he has wagered on a sporting event.
乔丹说他从来没有在NBA比赛上下过赌注。有消息称，NBA听说乔丹对体育博彩至少有短暂的兴趣。但没有证据表明他在体育赛事上下了赌注。
While golf betting is legal in many states, it is a misdemeanor in South Carolina, where Jordan has a luxury house and regularly plays during the offseason. But the law is not enforced, and NBA officials seem more concerned with Jordan's associations than with his high-stakes betting. "That's the major purpose of this investigation: who Michael was associating with," Granik said.
主要说的是赌高尔夫球不是大问题，但是和谁一起赌博，是NBA进行的调查所要搞清楚的主要问题。
In Bouler, Jordan was associating with a high-stakes bettor and convicted felon who says he hired out his services as a golf hustler to mysterious gamblers whose true identity he never knew.
根据Bouler所言，乔丹与一名是重刑犯的赌棍有关联，而这名重刑犯为一些他不知道身份的神秘赌客充当高尔夫球赌博的皮条客。
Granik said he doesn't know why the league hasn't interviewed Bouler. "It may be that Judge Lacey just felt he had an understanding of what the facts were and that Mr. Bouler wasn't going to add anything," Granik said. Lacey, contacted at his New York law office, declined comment.
Granik说他不知道为何联盟至今仍未询问Bouler。“可能是Lacey法官觉得自己已经掌握了事实，不需要Bouler再说什么了。” 但是Lacey对此不予置评。
In Esquinas, Jordan was associating with an admitted compulsive gambler who says he's bet on National Football League and college basketball games, but never on the NBA. Esquinas, 38, was president and part-owner of the San Diego Sports Arena when he played golf with Jordan from 1989 to 1991.
根据Esquinas所言，乔丹跟一名赌博成瘾的赌棍有关联，这名赌棍曾经在NFL和NCAA的比赛中下注，但是没赌过NBA的比赛。38岁的Esquinas曾在1989年至1991年与乔丹一起打高尔夫球，他还是加州圣地亚哥体育馆的主席和所有者之一。
A consummate competitor who likes to prove he can excel at anything, Jordan, 30, has wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars on high-stakes golf and card games and made big-money bets at casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Monte Carlo.
乔丹很好强，也很好赌。
Jordan insists he is not a compulsive gambler -- an issue that has been debated widely in the sports media. But he appears to have misled the NBA about the extent of his betting. In a March 31, 1992, meeting in New York with Lacey, Granik and other NBA officials, Jordan pledged not to associate with high-stakes gamblers such as Bouler. However, at the time, he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Esquinas, whose name he never mentioned to league officials, sources said.
乔丹坚称自己没有赌瘾——这个问题已经在体育媒体中吵了很久了。但他似乎对NBA官方关于自己的赌博问题有所隐瞒。1992年3月31日，在纽约与Lacey, Granik和其它NBA官员会面时，乔丹承诺不会与Bouler这样的赌棍交往。然而，有消息称，他在当时欠着Esquinas数十万美元，他也从未向NBA官方提过Esquinas的名字。
Pro sports executives say the perception that gamblers are associating with athletes -- or that athletes are themselves gamblers -- can erode the integrity of their product. Once players become linked to gambling, they say, fans can logically question whether the outcome of games is being influenced by betting considerations.
职业体育的高管表示，如果让人觉得赌徒与运动员有联系，或者运动员本身就是赌徒的想法，会对品牌信誉产生负面影响。他们说，一旦球员与赌博有了联系，球迷们就可以合理地质疑比赛结果是否受到赌球的影响。
Jordan's financial success is linked as much to his credibility as to the athletic talent he exhibited this season in leading the Bulls to their third straight NBA title. To corporate America, image is everything. Jordan has become the nation's best-paid sports endorser -- he earns an estimated $35 million a year -- largely because he has convinced consumers they should want to "Be Like Mike."
乔丹很牛很成功，对NBA很重要。而形象对企业来说意味着一切。乔丹已成为这个国家最赚钱的运动员，也在消费者心中产生了难以撼动的形象。
But as Bouler described in a recent four-hour interview, being like Mike has at times required carrying fat rolls of cash to a golf course (he wears a money pouch around his waist) and having a willingness to risk it all. "I think Michael knows if he was to leave this world today, you'd see 99 cars {in the funeral procession} but you wouldn't see no Wells Fargo or Brinks trucks behind him," Bouler said at the minimum-security Federal Correctional Institution in Seagoville, Tex. "You know, Michael can't take this money with him. So why not enjoy it?" The First Sign.
这两段没啥意义。
Jordan, who declined through his agent to be interviewed for this story, has said he didn't know during their six summers of golfing and gambling that Bouler had pleaded guilty in 1986 to selling cocaine. Or that Bouler was later convicted of two probation violations, one for possessing semi-automatic weapons.
乔丹拒绝相关采访，他说不知道Bouler曾经在1986年贩过毒，也不知道bouler其它的犯罪指控。
Bouler's drug conviction was common knowledge among Jordan's North Carolina golfing buddies, according to Esquinas. "Someone whispered it to me when I was down there playing with Michael and Bouler," Esquinas said recently.
但是根据Esquinas所说，Bouler贩过毒的事情在乔丹那群北卡的高尔夫球友中是公开的事实。Esquinas最近还说，“有人曾经在我和MJ、Bouler一起玩的时候告诉我过这件事。”
It was a $57,000 check from Jordan to Bouler that first brought their gambling association to the public's attention. That was in December 1991. So why, Bouler asked on a recent afternoon, hasn't the NBA contacted him?
首先把乔丹和Bouler之间的赌博关系的事情引入公众视野的，是乔丹给Bouler的一张57000美元的支票。这件事发生在1991年12月。因此，Bouler在最近问到，为什么，NBA官方，还没有联系过他？
"I'm here -- and I'm not going anywhere," Bouler said, sitting in a cafeteria-style chair in the prison visitors' room. "If the NBA wants to talk to me, I'm sure they know where to find me. But for some reason, they haven't wanted to talk to me."
Bouler说，“我就在这里。如果他们想问，那么肯定能找到我。但是由于某些原因，他们至今都不曾想过来问我。”
接下来是Bouler的一些关于自己，以及与乔丹之间一些赌博事情的陈述，太长太多，不予赘述。想看的自己去链接里面看。
After Bouler received the $57,000 check, it was seized by federal authorities who alleged he intended to avoid paying taxes on the money. Bouler told authorities the check was a nontaxable loan from Jordan to build a driving range. When the Charlotte Observer asked Jordan about the check, he responded: "It's totally true. It's a loan."
Bouler因为犯罪被联邦调查，这张57000美元的支票也被联邦官方查封。当乔丹被《夏洛特观察家报》问及此事的时候，他承认这是完全真实的，但是只是借款。
Bouler was indicted on drug and money-laundering charges; the government alleged he used his role as a golfer as a front for his real job as a drug courier for two Charlotte cocaine dealers.
At Bouler's trial last year, Jordan had a different story to tell about the $57,000 check.
From a witness stand in the U.S. District Court House in Charlotte, the NBA's most prominent player admitted he had lied about the purpose of the check. Bouler was acquitted of the drug charges and convicted of money laundering. The case is now on appeal.
乔丹后面承认自己在支票的事情上撒了谎。
Early last year, the NBA retained ex-judge Lacey to investigate Jordan's association with Bouler and Dow, who was murdered in February 1992 during an unrelated burglary. League officials warned Jordan against associating with high-stakes gamblers and convicted felons, but took no disciplinary action against the Bulls star.
去年年初，NBA聘请了前法官Lacey来调查乔丹与Bouler和Dow之间的关系，后者在1992年2月的一起不相关的入室行窃中被谋杀。联盟官员警告乔丹不要与赌博成瘾的赌徒和被判有罪的重刑犯交往，但没有对他进行处罚。
"I don't think you'll be hearing about any stuff like this anymore," Jordan told reporters.
But they would. 乔丹说对记者说：“你不会再听到这样乱七八糟的东西了。”
遗憾的是，他们会的。
Unknown to the NBA, Jordan had an unpaid debt to another golf gambling partner: Richard Esquinas. At one point in 1991, Esquinas said Jordan owed him $1.25 million. Jordan recently called that allegation "preposterous" but acknowledged owing $300,000.
NBA官方不知道，乔丹还欠着Esquinas的钱呢。
This summer, after the publication of Esquinas's tell-all book, "Michael & Me: Our Gambling Addiction ... My Cry For Help!", the NBA again retained Lacey to investigate. Granik said the probe likely will be concluded within several weeks.
今年夏天，在Esquinas自述的书（书名叫《MJ和我：我们赌博上瘾》）出版后，NBA再次委托Lacey进行调查。几个礼拜内会出调查结果。
文章的叙述基本结束了，后面还有一些Bouler等的陈述，不做赘述。
最后，这篇文章对相关事件进行了一个时间顺序的梳理。
DECEMBER 1991:
Federal investigators seize $57,000 check from James "Slim" Bouler, a convicted cocaine dealer who gambled and played golf with Jordan. Bouler says money was loan from Jordan -- an assertion the basketball star later confirms. The check actually represented gambling-related debts by Jordan.
1991年，联邦调查人员查封了这张57000美元的支票，Bouler说这是乔丹给的，乔丹后面也承认，这张支票实际上是给Bouler的赌债。
MARCH 1992:
After revelations Jordan lost more than $100,000 betting on golf and cards in the fall of '91, the National Basketball Association begins an investigation.
1992年3月，NBA官方开始对乔丹赌博的事情进行调查。
MARCH 31, 1992:
NBA Commissioner David Stern announces completion of investigation. Jordan is warned against associating with felons. No action is taken against Jordan. "I'm glad to put this behind me," Jordan tells reporters. "I hope I've learned my lesson."
斯特恩总裁宣布调查结束，乔丹被警告不要再与赌棍产生瓜葛，但是没有采取任何措施。乔丹对媒体说：“我很高兴能把这件事抛在脑后”，“我已经吸取了教训。”
26, 1993:
Jordan spotted at Atlantic City casino the night before playoff game in New York.
1993年X月26日（原文丢失月份），乔丹被发现在和尼克斯的季后赛比赛前夜赌博。
JUNE 3, 1993:
San Diego businessman Richard Esquinas announces publication of book in which he alleges Jordan wagered more than $1 million in golf matches with him in 1991. Jordan later acknowledges a $300,000 debt. NBA later begins another investigation.
1993年6月3日，圣迭戈生意人Richard Esquinas宣传乔丹欠他超过100万美元，是他在1991年的高尔夫球赌博上赢得。乔丹随后只承认输了30万美元。NBA官方宣布开展新的调查。
JUNE 9, 1993:
Jordan tells NBC TV's Ahmad Rashad: "If I had a {gambling} problem, I'd be starving, I'd be hocking this watch, my championship rings, I would sell my house. ... My kids would be starving. ... I do not have a problem. I enjoy gambling."
1993年6月9日，乔丹对记者发毒誓说自己没有赌瘾，他只是享受赌博。
AUGUST 1993: The NBA's investigation continues.1993年8月，NBA官方的调查仍在进行。
全文结束。
此外，关于这事的讨论，《Bleacher Report》即B·R（大家应该不陌生）在2009年的一篇文章中仍提及了当年的事情，并提出了自己的质疑。
我仅截取部分核心内容作翻译：
Why would the face of the league on the best team in the league who was known for his enormous competitive drive and his desire to be the best ever suddenly retire in the middle of his prime? Lets look at the facts.
为什么联盟的门面会在黄金时期急流勇退呢？让我们关注以下事实。
In 1992, after winning his second championship, Jordan was called to testify in the criminal trial of James Bouler to explain why why Bouler, a convicted drug dealer, was in possession of a Jordan-signed personal check for $57,000.
1992年，在赢下个人第二座总冠军奖杯后，乔丹被叫去参与调查其为何会与一位毒贩，即Bouler，有着金钱上的联系。
First, Jordan claimed it was a business loan, but under oath he admitted that it was a payment for on gambling losses for a single weekend.
乔丹先是宣称只是生意借款，但是后面承认是偿还赌债。
Then, in early 1993, San Diego businessman Richard Equinas revealed in his book Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction...My Cry for Help that he had won over $900,000 from Jordan in golf betting.
接着在1993年早些时候，圣迭戈生意人Richard Equina在他的书中揭露，他在高尔夫球赌博上赢了乔丹超过90万美元。
Around the same time, MJ was spotted in an Atlantic City casino in the early hours on the morning of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals.
大约同一时间，乔丹被发现在与尼克斯的东区决赛比赛前一夜在赌场赌博。
After the Bulls won their third championship, the NBA launched an investigation into Jordan's gambling problems to check whether he had violated any league rules. Then, four months later Jordan stunned the world by suddenly retiring from professional basketball.
在公牛队三连冠之后，NBA官方展开了对于乔丹赌博问题的调查，以查清其是否违反了联盟的规则。随之，四个月后，乔丹宣布退役。
At the press conference when he was asked if he would ever return he said, " Five years down the road, if the urge comes back, if the Bulls will have me, if David Stern lets me back in the league, I may come back."
在退役的新闻发布会上，当被问及他是否会回来的时候，乔丹说:“五年之后，如果那种冲动又回来了，如果公牛队还想要我，如果大卫·斯特恩让我回到联盟，我可能会回来的。”
Now why in the world would Jordan ever say if David Stern lets him back, then maybe he would come back when the reporter didn't mention Stern's name at all in his question?
为什么在记者根本没有提及斯特恩的时候，乔丹会说如果斯特恩让他回来，他可能会回来呢？
Only days after Jordan announced his retirement, the league dropped its investigation, saying he did nothing wrong (I guess betting numerous amounts on sports isn't wrong then).
仅仅在乔丹宣布退役的几天后，联盟撤销了相关调查，说他没有做错事。（我估计是那时在体育赛事上赌博也不违法咯）
关于第一篇文章的时间线，我再进行补充：
1993年10月7日，乔丹宣布退役，声称没有什么需要证明了，没有了打球的动力。但是没有说死，一定不会回来。还说可能一年以后就回来了。（结果也是一年多一点就回到了NBA，不是现在球迷所说的退役了2个赛季。时间也是捏的死死的呢。）
“If I do decide to come back a year from now or whatever, that’s entirely up to me,” Jordan said.
《Without ‘Anything Else to Prove,’ Jordan Retires : Sports: The Bulls’ star says the sense of motivation is gone. But he doesn’t rule out a return to the NBA.》
1993年10月9日，NBA宣布结束对乔丹的调查。
《N.B.A. Probe Clears Jordan》
本文的追溯基本到此结束。
赌博确实只是乔丹的私人事务，如果没有涉及赌球，那么也不违法。
但是从1993年《华盛顿邮报》的报道中，我们可以窥见当年媒体对于乔丹赌博一事的火热讨论，也不难看出此事在当年确实是NBA所面临的一个非常棘手的公关问题。甚至到2009年仍有知名体育媒体对其提出质疑。
《华盛顿邮报》应该算是非常著名的媒体了，关于其中事实，关于乔神退役是真的独孤求败、急流勇退，还是面临形象和媒体公关危机，所达成的某种密谋，只能各位看官自己思考品味。
毕竟三十年前离现在太久了，在座的各位大多数都没有经历过当年的舆论漩涡。
只能说：信则有，不信则无。
近日，老詹和乔神的相关讨论吵得热火朝天。不少乔密指出乔神首次三连后独孤求败，感到厌倦，因此选择急流勇退，而后复出又再次三连，成就神迹，并要求老詹做到乔神这样才有讨论资格。
作为年轻球迷，乔神的时代与我相距遥远，对乔丹的认知也均是道听途说。直到近日乔密翻出当年录像，才让我大开眼界，产生了深深怀疑。
因此，较真的我翻出尘封的历史，试图探寻乔神退役的真相。如果不能，也可提供一些事实的参考，在座各位自有判断。
警告，全文详实，但是篇幅较长。
以下为1993年8月，乔丹退役之前，《华盛顿邮报》的相关报道，本人仅作简要翻译，请诸位赏析：
附上原文链接：https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/08/01/jordans-gambling-undergoes-intense-scrutiny-again/a4f909e6-f01f-41ab-9428-b25831441424/ 标题：JORDAN'S GAMBLING UNDERGOES INTENSE SCRUTINY AGAIN（乔丹的赌博问题再次引发巨大关注）
By Bill Brubaker August 1, 1993作者：Bill Brubaker，1993年8月1日
After revelations last year that Michael Jordan had played high-stakes golf games with James "Slim" Bouler, a convicted cocaine dealer, the National Basketball Association promised to investigate. The league interviewed Jordan, warned him not to associate with Bouler and concluded that the Chicago Bulls star did not have a gambling problem. End of investigation.
去年，在乔丹与一个可卡因贩子James "Slim" Bouler玩高尔夫赌博的事情被揭露出来之后，NBA承诺进行调查。联盟询问了乔丹，警告他不要和Bouler有任何关联，并得出了MJ没有赌博问题。随后调查结束。
But a year later, the world's wealthiest and most famous basketball player is still dogged by allegations that he's a gambler who has no limits. In June, a San Diego businessman, Richard Esquinas, alleged in a self-published book that he was owed $1.25 million by Jordan after a 10-day golf gambling binge. Esquinas said they negotiated a $300,000 settlement, a figure Jordan publicly confirmed.
但是一年以后，这个最知名的篮球运动员仍然深陷关于他是一个无节制赌棍的指控。今年6月，生意人Richard Esquinas在他自己出版的一本书中指控乔丹欠他125万美元的高尔夫球赌资。Esquinas说他们谈判达成了30万美元的和解，乔丹公开承认了这一点。
More recently, Jordan has been reported to have won money gambling with the New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor (on golf) and the Los Angeles Clippers' Mark Jackson (on cards). Jackson says he played cards with Jordan but didn't lose any money. Taylor says his debt to Jordan was substantially less than the $150,000 that has been reported.
最近，媒体又有许多关于乔丹赌博的报道。赌博的相关人员说没输很多，但确实赌了。
Now, for the second time in two years, the NBA has retained Frederick Lacey, a former federal judge and U.S. attorney, to look into Jordan's gambling activities. And for a second straight year, questions are being raised about Jordan's associations and how aggressively the image-conscious NBA wants to dig into his off-court life.
现在，NBA委托了前联邦法官和执业律师Frederick Lacey，在两年内第二次对乔丹的赌博行为进行调查。人们开始质疑乔丹与外界的关系，并质疑注重形象的NBA调查他的场外生活的深入程度。
"I gambled and played golf with Michael for six summers but the NBA hasn't even called me," said Bouler, who was convicted in 1986 of selling cocaine and who this spring began serving a nine-year federal prison sentence for money laundering and gun-related violations. "What kind of an investigation is that?"
Buoler说：“我和乔丹玩高尔夫赌博有6个夏天了，但是NBA甚至都没有给我打过电话（来调查）”，“这算哪门子调查？” Bouler今年春季因为贩毒、高利贷和枪支暴力被判处9年有期徒刑。
In what he described as his first extensive interview, Bouler said he played golf with Jordan as many as 50 times from 1986 to 1991 and loaned him thousands of dollars to play big-money card games, often with the understanding he'd receive a percentage of Jordan's winnings.
Bouler声称，在1986至1991年间，他和乔丹赌博不下50次，经常借钱给乔丹赌博并抽成。
"The question needs to be asked: Why hasn't Jordan been called in this summer by the NBA to discuss his gambling?" said Bob Costello, Esquinas's New York-based lawyer.
Esquinas（前面提到的生意人）的律师Bob Costello说：“有一个问题必须要问：为什么这个夏天乔丹没有被NBA叫去询问他的赌博问题？”
A self-described compulsive gambler, Esquinas was interviewed by Lacey on July 12.
自称有很大赌瘾的赌棍Esquinas在7月12号被Lacey（前文提到的NBA委托的前联邦法官）询问相关问题。
"Richard offered to talk to the NBA under oath but Lacey said that wasn't necessary," said Costello, a former assistant U.S. attorney. "I think the NBA is interested in seeing if there's a way {Jordan's gambling} can all be covered up."
“Richard（即Esquinas）主动提出要和NBA谈谈，但是Lacey说 ‘没有必要’ ”，“我认为NBA在想办法看能不能帮乔丹把赌博麻烦掩饰过去”。Costello（即Esquinas的律师）说道。
The Jordan gambling saga illustrates a vexing issue faced by professional sports leagues: what to do about star athletes who engage in activities that are legal but potentially damaging to the integrity of their leagues?
乔丹的赌博事迹给这个职业体育联盟带来了麻烦：当你的头号球星深陷赌博泥潭的时候，该怎么让联盟保持安然无恙呢？
Bulls vice president-basketball operations Jerry Krause has said repeatedly in the past year that he has no interest in Jordan's gambling activity because he has violated no club or league rules and "that's Michael's private business."
公牛队的篮球事务副总裁Jerry Krause在过去的一年中总是重复说他对乔丹的赌博行为不感兴趣，强调“那是MJ的私事呢”。
The NBA hasn't taken any disciplinary action against Jordan. By contrast, in 1991 then-baseball commissioner Fay Vincent placed Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Lenny Dykstra on probation for a year after he piled up $78,000 in poker and golf debts to a gambler in Mississippi.
NBA还没有对乔丹进行任何纪律处分。与此形成鲜明对比的是，1991年，时任棒球专员的Fay Vincent让费城费城人队(Philadelphia Phillies)中心外野手Lenny Dykstra缓刑一年，因为戴克斯特拉在密西西比州向一位赌徒欠下了大额扑克和高尔夫球赌债。
"It's a difficult issue: to draw the distinction between whether a player is doing something that's maybe not in his best interests," said NBA Deputy Commissioner Russell Granik, who has participated in the Jordan inquiries, "and whether the player has either violated a league rule or done something that threatens the integrity of our business. "But we don't feel we're in a position to interfere in every player's private life to {require him} to live up to certain standards that somebody else might set." Spotlight on NBA.
NBA说我们没有资格去介入球员的私生活。
Bouler and Costello aren't alone in questioning the seriousness of the NBA's probe.
Bouler和Costello 不是唯一两位对于NBA官方的调查行为的严肃性有疑问的人。
One NBA general manager, who asked not to be identified, said last week the league has soft-pedaled its investigation to protect its showcase player from further embarrassment.
一位不愿透露姓名的NBA总经理上周表示，联盟已经放慢了调查的脚步，避免自己的头号球员受到更多的尴尬。
"The league is stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said. "I sense that Michael has gotten preferential treatment because the league needs Michael to participate in many activities that promote the NBA. So they can't afford to get him angry. I wonder if another player had this problem if there wouldn't be a more ardent pursuit of the facts."
“联盟现在进退两难。”他说，“我感觉MJ受到了特别照顾，因为联盟需要乔丹来提升赛事影响力，所以他们不敢惹怒乔丹。我怀疑如果是别的球员犯下这些事，联盟追查事实会不会更用力点。”
Under NBA rules, players can be disciplined if they are found to have bet on pro basketball games or if -- in the judgment of the commissioner -- they bring disrepute to the league. There are no other NBA rules concerning gambling in general.
根据NBA规则，球员除非是参与了赌球，或者联盟总裁认定其行为对联盟声誉有影响，才会受到处罚。一般来说，NBA没有其他关于赌博的规定。
Jordan says he has never bet on an NBA game. Sources say the NBA has heard an allegation that Jordan has at least a passing interest in sports betting. But there is no evidence he has wagered on a sporting event.
乔丹说他从来没有在NBA比赛上下过赌注。有消息称，NBA听说乔丹对体育博彩至少有短暂的兴趣。但没有证据表明他在体育赛事上下了赌注。
While golf betting is legal in many states, it is a misdemeanor in South Carolina, where Jordan has a luxury house and regularly plays during the offseason. But the law is not enforced, and NBA officials seem more concerned with Jordan's associations than with his high-stakes betting. "That's the major purpose of this investigation: who Michael was associating with," Granik said.
主要说的是赌高尔夫球不是大问题，但是和谁一起赌博，是NBA进行的调查所要搞清楚的主要问题。
In Bouler, Jordan was associating with a high-stakes bettor and convicted felon who says he hired out his services as a golf hustler to mysterious gamblers whose true identity he never knew.
根据Bouler所言，乔丹与一名是重刑犯的赌棍有关联，而这名重刑犯为一些他不知道身份的神秘赌客充当高尔夫球赌博的皮条客。
Granik said he doesn't know why the league hasn't interviewed Bouler. "It may be that Judge Lacey just felt he had an understanding of what the facts were and that Mr. Bouler wasn't going to add anything," Granik said. Lacey, contacted at his New York law office, declined comment.
Granik说他不知道为何联盟至今仍未询问Bouler。“可能是Lacey法官觉得自己已经掌握了事实，不需要Bouler再说什么了。” 但是Lacey对此不予置评。
In Esquinas, Jordan was associating with an admitted compulsive gambler who says he's bet on National Football League and college basketball games, but never on the NBA. Esquinas, 38, was president and part-owner of the San Diego Sports Arena when he played golf with Jordan from 1989 to 1991.
根据Esquinas所言，乔丹跟一名赌博成瘾的赌棍有关联，这名赌棍曾经在NFL和NCAA的比赛中下注，但是没赌过NBA的比赛。38岁的Esquinas曾在1989年至1991年与乔丹一起打高尔夫球，他还是加州圣地亚哥体育馆的主席和所有者之一。
A consummate competitor who likes to prove he can excel at anything, Jordan, 30, has wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars on high-stakes golf and card games and made big-money bets at casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Monte Carlo.
乔丹很好强，也很好赌。
Jordan insists he is not a compulsive gambler -- an issue that has been debated widely in the sports media. But he appears to have misled the NBA about the extent of his betting. In a March 31, 1992, meeting in New York with Lacey, Granik and other NBA officials, Jordan pledged not to associate with high-stakes gamblers such as Bouler. However, at the time, he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Esquinas, whose name he never mentioned to league officials, sources said.
乔丹坚称自己没有赌瘾——这个问题已经在体育媒体中吵了很久了。但他似乎对NBA官方关于自己的赌博问题有所隐瞒。1992年3月31日，在纽约与Lacey, Granik和其它NBA官员会面时，乔丹承诺不会与Bouler这样的赌棍交往。然而，有消息称，他在当时欠着Esquinas数十万美元，他也从未向NBA官方提过Esquinas的名字。
Pro sports executives say the perception that gamblers are associating with athletes -- or that athletes are themselves gamblers -- can erode the integrity of their product. Once players become linked to gambling, they say, fans can logically question whether the outcome of games is being influenced by betting considerations.
职业体育的高管表示，如果让人觉得赌徒与运动员有联系，或者运动员本身就是赌徒的想法，会对品牌信誉产生负面影响。他们说，一旦球员与赌博有了联系，球迷们就可以合理地质疑比赛结果是否受到赌球的影响。
Jordan's financial success is linked as much to his credibility as to the athletic talent he exhibited this season in leading the Bulls to their third straight NBA title. To corporate America, image is everything. Jordan has become the nation's best-paid sports endorser -- he earns an estimated $35 million a year -- largely because he has convinced consumers they should want to "Be Like Mike."
乔丹很牛很成功，对NBA很重要。而形象对企业来说意味着一切。乔丹已成为这个国家最赚钱的运动员，也在消费者心中产生了难以撼动的形象。
But as Bouler described in a recent four-hour interview, being like Mike has at times required carrying fat rolls of cash to a golf course (he wears a money pouch around his waist) and having a willingness to risk it all. "I think Michael knows if he was to leave this world today, you'd see 99 cars {in the funeral procession} but you wouldn't see no Wells Fargo or Brinks trucks behind him," Bouler said at the minimum-security Federal Correctional Institution in Seagoville, Tex. "You know, Michael can't take this money with him. So why not enjoy it?" The First Sign.
这两段没啥意义。
Jordan, who declined through his agent to be interviewed for this story, has said he didn't know during their six summers of golfing and gambling that Bouler had pleaded guilty in 1986 to selling cocaine. Or that Bouler was later convicted of two probation violations, one for possessing semi-automatic weapons.
乔丹拒绝相关采访，他说不知道Bouler曾经在1986年贩过毒，也不知道bouler其它的犯罪指控。
Bouler's drug conviction was common knowledge among Jordan's North Carolina golfing buddies, according to Esquinas. "Someone whispered it to me when I was down there playing with Michael and Bouler," Esquinas said recently.
但是根据Esquinas所说，Bouler贩过毒的事情在乔丹那群北卡的高尔夫球友中是公开的事实。Esquinas最近还说，“有人曾经在我和MJ、Bouler一起玩的时候告诉我过这件事。”
It was a $57,000 check from Jordan to Bouler that first brought their gambling association to the public's attention. That was in December 1991. So why, Bouler asked on a recent afternoon, hasn't the NBA contacted him?
首先把乔丹和Bouler之间的赌博关系的事情引入公众视野的，是乔丹给Bouler的一张57000美元的支票。这件事发生在1991年12月。因此，Bouler在最近问到，为什么，NBA官方，还没有联系过他？
"I'm here -- and I'm not going anywhere," Bouler said, sitting in a cafeteria-style chair in the prison visitors' room. "If the NBA wants to talk to me, I'm sure they know where to find me. But for some reason, they haven't wanted to talk to me."
Bouler说，“我就在这里。如果他们想问，那么肯定能找到我。但是由于某些原因，他们至今都不曾想过来问我。”
接下来是Bouler的一些关于自己，以及与乔丹之间一些赌博事情的陈述，太长太多，不予赘述。想看的自己去链接里面看。
After Bouler received the $57,000 check, it was seized by federal authorities who alleged he intended to avoid paying taxes on the money. Bouler told authorities the check was a nontaxable loan from Jordan to build a driving range. When the Charlotte Observer asked Jordan about the check, he responded: "It's totally true. It's a loan."
Bouler因为犯罪被联邦调查，这张57000美元的支票也被联邦官方查封。当乔丹被《夏洛特观察家报》问及此事的时候，他承认这是完全真实的，但是只是借款。
Bouler was indicted on drug and money-laundering charges; the government alleged he used his role as a golfer as a front for his real job as a drug courier for two Charlotte cocaine dealers.
At Bouler's trial last year, Jordan had a different story to tell about the $57,000 check.
From a witness stand in the U.S. District Court House in Charlotte, the NBA's most prominent player admitted he had lied about the purpose of the check. Bouler was acquitted of the drug charges and convicted of money laundering. The case is now on appeal.
乔丹后面承认自己在支票的事情上撒了谎。
Early last year, the NBA retained ex-judge Lacey to investigate Jordan's association with Bouler and Dow, who was murdered in February 1992 during an unrelated burglary. League officials warned Jordan against associating with high-stakes gamblers and convicted felons, but took no disciplinary action against the Bulls star.
去年年初，NBA聘请了前法官Lacey来调查乔丹与Bouler和Dow之间的关系，后者在1992年2月的一起不相关的入室行窃中被谋杀。联盟官员警告乔丹不要与赌博成瘾的赌徒和被判有罪的重刑犯交往，但没有对他进行处罚。
"I don't think you'll be hearing about any stuff like this anymore," Jordan told reporters.
But they would. 乔丹说对记者说：“你不会再听到这样乱七八糟的东西了。”
遗憾的是，他们会的。
Unknown to the NBA, Jordan had an unpaid debt to another golf gambling partner: Richard Esquinas. At one point in 1991, Esquinas said Jordan owed him $1.25 million. Jordan recently called that allegation "preposterous" but acknowledged owing $300,000.
NBA官方不知道，乔丹还欠着Esquinas的钱呢。
This summer, after the publication of Esquinas's tell-all book, "Michael & Me: Our Gambling Addiction ... My Cry For Help!", the NBA again retained Lacey to investigate. Granik said the probe likely will be concluded within several weeks.
今年夏天，在Esquinas自述的书（书名叫《MJ和我：我们赌博上瘾》）出版后，NBA再次委托Lacey进行调查。几个礼拜内会出调查结果。
文章的叙述基本结束了，后面还有一些Bouler等的陈述，不做赘述。
最后，这篇文章对相关事件进行了一个时间顺序的梳理。
DECEMBER 1991:
Federal investigators seize $57,000 check from James "Slim" Bouler, a convicted cocaine dealer who gambled and played golf with Jordan. Bouler says money was loan from Jordan -- an assertion the basketball star later confirms. The check actually represented gambling-related debts by Jordan.
1991年，联邦调查人员查封了这张57000美元的支票，Bouler说这是乔丹给的，乔丹后面也承认，这张支票实际上是给Bouler的赌债。
MARCH 1992:
After revelations Jordan lost more than $100,000 betting on golf and cards in the fall of '91, the National Basketball Association begins an investigation.
1992年3月，NBA官方开始对乔丹赌博的事情进行调查。
MARCH 31, 1992:
NBA Commissioner David Stern announces completion of investigation. Jordan is warned against associating with felons. No action is taken against Jordan. "I'm glad to put this behind me," Jordan tells reporters. "I hope I've learned my lesson."
斯特恩总裁宣布调查结束，乔丹被警告不要再与赌棍产生瓜葛，但是没有采取任何措施。乔丹对媒体说：“我很高兴能把这件事抛在脑后”，“我已经吸取了教训。”
26, 1993:
Jordan spotted at Atlantic City casino the night before playoff game in New York.
1993年X月26日（原文丢失月份），乔丹被发现在和尼克斯的季后赛比赛前夜赌博。
JUNE 3, 1993:
San Diego businessman Richard Esquinas announces publication of book in which he alleges Jordan wagered more than $1 million in golf matches with him in 1991. Jordan later acknowledges a $300,000 debt. NBA later begins another investigation.
1993年6月3日，圣迭戈生意人Richard Esquinas宣传乔丹欠他超过100万美元，是他在1991年的高尔夫球赌博上赢得。乔丹随后只承认输了30万美元。NBA官方宣布开展新的调查。
JUNE 9, 1993:
Jordan tells NBC TV's Ahmad Rashad: "If I had a {gambling} problem, I'd be starving, I'd be hocking this watch, my championship rings, I would sell my house. ... My kids would be starving. ... I do not have a problem. I enjoy gambling."
1993年6月9日，乔丹对记者发毒誓说自己没有赌瘾，他只是享受赌博。
AUGUST 1993: The NBA's investigation continues.1993年8月，NBA官方的调查仍在进行。
全文结束。
此外，关于这事的讨论，《Bleacher Report》即B·R（大家应该不陌生）在2009年的一篇文章中仍提及了当年的事情，并提出了自己的质疑。
我仅截取部分核心内容作翻译：
Why would the face of the league on the best team in the league who was known for his enormous competitive drive and his desire to be the best ever suddenly retire in the middle of his prime? Lets look at the facts.
为什么联盟的门面会在黄金时期急流勇退呢？让我们关注以下事实。
In 1992, after winning his second championship, Jordan was called to testify in the criminal trial of James Bouler to explain why why Bouler, a convicted drug dealer, was in possession of a Jordan-signed personal check for $57,000.
1992年，在赢下个人第二座总冠军奖杯后，乔丹被叫去参与调查其为何会与一位毒贩，即Bouler，有着金钱上的联系。
First, Jordan claimed it was a business loan, but under oath he admitted that it was a payment for on gambling losses for a single weekend.
乔丹先是宣称只是生意借款，但是后面承认是偿还赌债。
Then, in early 1993, San Diego businessman Richard Equinas revealed in his book Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction...My Cry for Help that he had won over $900,000 from Jordan in golf betting.
接着在1993年早些时候，圣迭戈生意人Richard Equina在他的书中揭露，他在高尔夫球赌博上赢了乔丹超过90万美元。
Around the same time, MJ was spotted in an Atlantic City casino in the early hours on the morning of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals.
大约同一时间，乔丹被发现在与尼克斯的东区决赛比赛前一夜在赌场赌博。
After the Bulls won their third championship, the NBA launched an investigation into Jordan's gambling problems to check whether he had violated any league rules. Then, four months later Jordan stunned the world by suddenly retiring from professional basketball.
在公牛队三连冠之后，NBA官方展开了对于乔丹赌博问题的调查，以查清其是否违反了联盟的规则。随之，四个月后，乔丹宣布退役。
At the press conference when he was asked if he would ever return he said, " Five years down the road, if the urge comes back, if the Bulls will have me, if David Stern lets me back in the league, I may come back."
在退役的新闻发布会上，当被问及他是否会回来的时候，乔丹说:“五年之后，如果那种冲动又回来了，如果公牛队还想要我，如果大卫·斯特恩让我回到联盟，我可能会回来的。”
Now why in the world would Jordan ever say if David Stern lets him back, then maybe he would come back when the reporter didn't mention Stern's name at all in his question?
为什么在记者根本没有提及斯特恩的时候，乔丹会说如果斯特恩让他回来，他可能会回来呢？
Only days after Jordan announced his retirement, the league dropped its investigation, saying he did nothing wrong (I guess betting numerous amounts on sports isn't wrong then).
仅仅在乔丹宣布退役的几天后，联盟撤销了相关调查，说他没有做错事。（我估计是那时在体育赛事上赌博也不违法咯）
关于第一篇文章的时间线，我再进行补充：
1993年10月7日，乔丹宣布退役，声称没有什么需要证明了，没有了打球的动力。但是没有说死，一定不会回来。还说可能一年以后就回来了。（结果也是一年多一点就回到了NBA，不是现在球迷所说的退役了2个赛季。时间也是捏的死死的呢。）
“If I do decide to come back a year from now or whatever, that’s entirely up to me,” Jordan said.
《Without ‘Anything Else to Prove,’ Jordan Retires : Sports: The Bulls’ star says the sense of motivation is gone. But he doesn’t rule out a return to the NBA.》
1993年10月9日，NBA宣布结束对乔丹的调查。
《N.B.A. Probe Clears Jordan》
本文的追溯基本到此结束。
赌博确实只是乔丹的私人事务，如果没有涉及赌球，那么也不违法。
但是从1993年《华盛顿邮报》的报道中，我们可以窥见当年媒体对于乔丹赌博一事的火热讨论，也不难看出此事在当年确实是NBA所面临的一个非常棘手的公关问题。甚至到2009年仍有知名体育媒体对其提出质疑。
《华盛顿邮报》应该算是非常著名的媒体了，关于其中事实，关于乔神退役是真的独孤求败、急流勇退，还是面临形象和媒体公关危机，所达成的某种密谋，只能各位看官自己思考品味。
毕竟三十年前离现在太久了，在座的各位大多数都没有经历过当年的舆论漩涡。
只能说：信则有，不信则无。
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