Curry Cancels Workout With Wolves
Story just posted on Newsday.com:
"Stephen Curry took yet another determined step toward being a Knick on Friday when he decided to cancel the rest of his predraft workout schedule -- after he has a previously scheduled workout with the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards hold the fifth overall pick.
The Davidson star did, however, cancel a workout with the Minnesota Timberwolves (sixth overall) next week."...
Though a player cannot force teams to not select him, the decision to cancel with the T-Wolves -- a team that picks ahead of the Knicks -- sends a clear message that Curry would prefer they pass on him.
Curry has been somewhat of a hot commodity in the draft, with both the Thunder (No. 3) and Timberwolves considering him and teams such as the Trail Blazers (No. 24) looking into moving up to draft him. He was expected to join in a four-man point guard battle royale in Minnesota next week, along with Holiday, Flynn and Brandon Jennings. That, apparently, is now down to three.
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Crap..
….I suspected this would happen. There is nothing for him to gain with a Wolves workout at this point. They waited too long for some of these guys who could go at 6.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I Know
If he at least had been promised a spot ahead of us that would mean that somebody else was going to fall, but now there will be five players off the board and Curry will be off limits. I think you have something to add to your “worst case scenario” post.
by mjfan02 on Jun 12, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he's there, pick him anyway
We’ll see how desperate the Knicks are to have him.
by PoorDick on Jun 12, 2009 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
exactly
Understand he has nothing to gain; doesn’t mean he won’t accept playing here.
Beater of the early Thabeet drum ... but not so much of the late one
by Wim (Belgium) on Jun 12, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And disregard
the growing butthole factor as evidenced by this move. I’m assuming it’s the agent or his dad, but he’s also going along with it. Anyone on NY’s roster that we’d want? Or any potential third trading partner out there that’d be interested in helping a TWolf out?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 12, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agents...
…control the process. It’s terrible.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The butthole factor
The phrase is catching on!
Players refusing to work out does drive me crazy. Part of what I liked about K-Love last year was his willingness to work out for anybody and compete against anybody. A fear of being shown up in workouts doesn’t show a lot of confidence on the part of the player, and a player who doesn’t have confidence that his game can live up to his hype doesn’t inspire confidence in me, either.
by princelyfrank on Jun 12, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there a conspiracy to get
Tyreke Evans on our roster? I actually think DeRozan is less of a risk. Then we can go with the best available PG at #18.
I think Jennings is the big wildcard here. He’s currently a victim of being out-of-sight out-of-mind, but he could wow people in workouts and start getting chatted up in the mocks again.
by Rascal Flatts on Jun 12, 2009 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I too prefer DeRozan to Evans
Basically because Evans presents all kinds of scenarios of guys he “can’t play with” and offensive schemes he’s not compatible with, he may not be able to play off the ball, etc. Basically, the fear that he has to be the center of the offense and the star of the team, or else we’ll have to bench him entirely and put him in street clothes like AI or Marbury or something.
Whereas Derozan should fit in fine wherevs. He’s go the physical characteristics to play shooting guard or small forward and isn’t a ballhog. You can always use another athletic wing who can rebound.
by princelyfrank on Jun 13, 2009 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems like these things happen every year...
but only rarely does a player (Steve Francis, Yi Jianlian) come out and say he doesn’t want to play for a team. We can draft Curry, if we want him.
by Andy G on Jun 12, 2009 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bah. If he’s there, you take him regardless. If he’s really the good citizen he’s made out to be he’ll deal with it.
by Xand1 on Jun 12, 2009 3:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Curry getting ahead of himself here methinks...
he’ll workout for Charlotte but not for Minnesota. Pfft.
and I couldn’t agree more about drafting him. Last I checked teams pick players.
I would imagine that no trade will be forthcoming on draft day. Does Curry provide anything than one of Flynn, Holiday or Jennings can’t do equally well.
by Auswolf on Jun 12, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shooting?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 12, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Allow me to rephrase...
IS the complete package of Curry SO much better than any or all of the other three? We aren’t choosing between Chris Paul and Bassy Telfair here, are we?
I’d prefer him too FWIW, but surely we can extract something for pick 6.
by Auswolf on Jun 12, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just think
That it’s easy to see how Curry’s particular skills could/would translate very well when paired with guys like Big Al and Love. In fact, given that all these guys can play the point (or would/should at least be an upgrade over what the Wolves have now), it is precisely Curry’s ability to be a dead-eye shooter despite a hand in his face, let alone without one in his face, that makes him so appealing. If, as an opponent, you know that Big Al is going to give you everything you can handle in the paint and that you’re going to have rotate guys towards him to try and limit him—well what are you going to do if you know a guy like Curry is out there who excels at knocking them down? Add to this the fact that you can start playing Corey Brewer at the 2, and you can see how a player like Curry becomes so attractive. Not to say that those other guys couldn’t do it, just that it’s easier to see how it would go with Curry. Plus he’s got that Love basketball savvy, which the Wolves desparately need more of.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 12, 2009 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Auswolf- He was born in Charlotte.
Of course he’ll workout for Charlotte.
by KGMN on Jun 12, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He must have a promise
First off to SnP and Wyn. Fantastic site of course and be sure to visit us a little more over at TWB!
I am a little surprised people see this as a total Knicks colored situation. Why would a guy cancel workouts because he wants to slip in the draft? Thats a bit outrageous for him to do in my opinion.
I see this as a definite promise from the Wizards at the 5 spot. No question. I dont think these kids are in the business of hurting their draft stock. This is a lot of money and recognition we are talking about here and a guy cancelling workouts because he wants to fall in the draft is downright insane. Looks like we are one step closer to the “nightmare draft scenario….”
by WallyW0rld on Jun 12, 2009 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Then they're trading the pick
Curry and Arenas could not be any more redundant, could they?
by Andy G on Jun 12, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Call
See what I mean though? It just is a bit crazy, if you ask me, for that writer to assume he is cancelling workouts for top draft positions because he wants to FALL to the Knicks. Think about that for a minute.
Maybe (probably) the Knicks are talking trade with Washington. I could see a S+T of David Lee and the picks, etc in a a bigger deal once free agency starts. An uncommon situation but it seems worthwhile for both teams.
I could see Phoenix making a push to get Curry from Washington….or even the Wolves…
by WallyW0rld on Jun 12, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there will be a lot of trading...
with some of the teams strapped for cash and others just plain not interested in their lottery pick.
by Andy G on Jun 12, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Washington
has been rumored to trade since the before the lottery. If the Wolves were smart, they’d be in on it. Can you tell me Miller, Cardinal and the 18th for the 5th and Etan Thomas can’t be done? The Wiz get their talent to help now as Miller would blend in perfectly in a starting lineup of him, Arenas, Butler, Jamison and Haywood, salary cap flexibility as both Miller and Cardinal come off the books next year as opposed to Thomas’ extra year, and the 18th pick to draft for the future.
The Wolves get back to back picks, and an almost guaranteed opportunity for either Harden or Curry, potentially both to completely rebuild their guard situation for the future. I like this scenario.
by E.A. on Jun 12, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a similar situation...
Seattle had to give up Ray Allen and an expiring contract to get the #5. If Mike Miller and the #18 are enough to get this done, I’d be pleasantly surprised.
My guess is that we’d have to send Foye to Washington.
by Andy G on Jun 12, 2009 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's (at worst) our 3rd best player
Is the 5 for 18 swap worth that?
by Andy G on Jun 12, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ooops..
….I didn’t see the 5th in there. That’s too much. 18, Foye/Gomes, Miller, Pekovic…that’s a nice package if they can take back the pick and some salary.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We should be able to figure this out
Now the Flip’s the new HC over there, a) who’s been listening to KFAN and heard his assessment of various TWolves players, and b) which current Woofie would help him run his system the most in Washington? If it takes Miller, Foye, and 18 for the 5th and a bad contract, then do it. But that’s about the breaking point for me in terms of what I’d be willing to give up.
Here’s why—the current economic situation of the league means that for cash-strapped or sensitive teams, bad contracts are the worst possible situation to be in. Furthermore, in a weak draft where arguably at least 3 of 5 top five picks might not ever sniff the All-Star game over their entire career, gaining an big expiring in Miller (who is still a flexible and competent player), a pick with tremendous upside in #18 (face it, whoever goes at 18 in this draft could easily be as good as any of the guys going top 3 or 4, and certainly the talent level in this draft is fairly equal from about picks 7-20 (or at least strongly in the eye of the beholder). Foye could be devastating as a sixth man/4th quarter guy in Flip’s offense, especially with some of the other pieces Washington has. Does Washington give up a lot? Ya, but then again they’re getting a lot in return. If it’s truly about money, then Washington would take this deal. If it’s not, then they won’t.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 12, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Curry is guaranteed at 5...
And the Mavs are serious about trading Josh Howard for Jordan Hill, should the Wolves do this? I know this was shot down on another thread, but if the Wiz are already taking Curry for someone else… Miller, #6, and the Rhino for Howard and Shawne Williams works on ESPN’s trade machine. I’m still not sold that the Mavs are trading Howard, but if they are, it’s gotta be something to consider.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jun 13, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This..
….is where we’ll find out what Kahn is worth. Not necessarily with Curry, but with the weird position the Wolves are in between Washington (a win-now team) and GSW/NY (teams that are in the Wolves’ winning level boat but who both offer more attractive living destinations…provided you live on the other side of the bay in Warrior land), he is probably going to have to call someone’s bluff unless they like someone like Jennings or Flynn, or another player they have ranked higher than expected.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 14, 2009 6:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Done
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
I agree that it will take more than Miller, Cardinal and #18 to get #5, but short of Big Al and Love, I’d throw-in any other one player on our roster to make that happen…Foye, Brewer etc.
I hope Kahn is trying to make this happen. With the #5 & #6 we should have our backcourt for the next 5 years. Harden/Curry, Curry/DeRozan, maybe Curry/Evans or if we want the most athletic backcourt in the NBA Tyreke/DeRozan…although the lack of consistent outside shooting would be a big concern.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 13, 2009 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Send Foye, then.
I’d rather keep Miller.
by LoveTo on Jun 13, 2009 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It makes some sense
In that they could both share point guard responsibilties then both can also play off the ball some. I think Curry’s going to be a better decision-maker (Something not Arenas) strong suit. Although Gilbert’s way more capable of attacking the rim.
The other thing to remember with Arenas is that he’s played a grand total of 15 games in the last 2 years. So Curry could clearly have some value here. Curry’s also the Prototypical Jump-Shooting Flip PG. So it makes sense on several levels.
by Jose Cordoba on Jun 12, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see that.
Flip would love Curry. Curry’s lack of drive-ability won’t matter much since Flip’s system pretty much doesn’t call for anybody to drive to the hoop, ever.
by princelyfrank on Jun 12, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will do...
…and thanks.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How unusual, a player who really really wants to be a Knick
by Norsktroll on Jun 12, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Can't blame him at all
Getting to play at MSG would be fantastic.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 12, 2009 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree on the butthole factor
Too many players are trying to demand the team they end up on. Harden is going top 5, Evans is shooting for Sacramento, and now Curry. It’s looking like Holiday and Flynn are going to be the best character guys. I say worst case scenario is still that we draft Curry and make the Knicks pay up for him with cash or better and Evans/Holiday/Flynn. Then we get money and a lower payroll for the same player at a lower pick. Even Jennings has been catching my eye now with his call out of Rubio. He’s definitely still a good player and being overseas has only helped his game (although it hurt his stock). I’m not as scared away from Evans as most other people, but hopefully we see him Twitter about how he loved MN as much as Sacramento….yeah right…. I’m hoping for Holiday now I think, perimeter defense to help out Al and K.Love.
by Mplax on Jun 12, 2009 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What was Jenning's callout of Rubio?
I missed this.
by princelyfrank on Jun 13, 2009 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jennings called Rubio "overrated"
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/news/story?id=4255421
Apparently when they played each other Jennings held Rubio to 0 pts, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers.
Not bad. Coulda been a fluke, but its pretty ballsy nonetheless. I like the competitive spirit, gonna be one of those people who has a chip on his shoulder and that’s gonna help out the team who has him. Please note, McCants had a chip on his shoulder too, but only because he felt like he was MVP and no one else realized it. Not the same type of motivation.
by Mplax on Jun 13, 2009 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it!
Jennings jumped a couple of spots in my esteem.
by princelyfrank on Jun 13, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The guy definitely..
…has the swagger you want in a point guard. I think he and Flynn come ready-made with that sort of mentality. I wonder if Rubio will slip more than people expect on draft night. Is it really a given that he’s the #2 guy? I don’t think so and I’m not even sure that a place like Sacramento would go with him over someone they really like. He’s likely a long way from being an effective NBA player.
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by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 14, 2009 6:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
if this wasn’t framed as “curry wants to be a knick” would anyone assume that he wanted the wolves to pass on him? it’s a cancelled workout, not an official statement. a few people have pointed out that he really doesn’t have much to gain by working out for the wolves at this point. teams know what they’re getting with curry and that includes the wolves.
if he’s the bpa, you draft him, whether or not he agrees to an individual workout with the team. if he doesn’t want to be there or knicks are desperate enough to get him, there are worse things for the team than getting the 8th pick and some other piece for stephen curry. nothing to worry about.
heart of a champion, will of the warrior.
by cap'n hack on Jun 12, 2009 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's more the fact that he canceled on us
Imagine inviting a friend over for dinner to catch up and then having him cancel on you only to go eat dinner with someone else. Your friend didn’t necesarily have anything to gain by eating with you, but ouch. And look at the respect he lost from people like me. I don’t see him as the smart and upstanding person I once did.
by Mplax on Jun 12, 2009 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Love
I think the comparison to Love is most telling in this case. How often is it that anybody ever gets a chance to play the sport they love at the highest level? And how likely is it that someone will be willing to make you a guaranteed multi-millionaire in order to do it? Not that Curry is doing this, but I hate it when pro athletes (or as yet undrafted rookies) feel so entitled to their right to all of this that they try to get more. A large part of why I’m a big Love fan is because he always plays hard, looking for any edge he can get against bigger and faster players because he’s not the biggest or fastest. I personally like the mentality at this level of competition that says, ‘Bring ’em on. I’ll go against anybody. I am what I am, and I think I can do better than the next guy—no need to play strategy games through my agent.’ Again, not saying that Curry’s necessarily doing this, but 3 weeks ago this guy was a middle to late first round pick, and now he’s coming across like he influence his draft slot by choosing who he’ll workout for and who he won’t?
Would you want a new employee who said, ’You’ve seen the tape of my last interview with that other firm, so I’m not going to come in. Call me when you’re ready to hire me.’
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jun 12, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a feeling why
The total value of contracts for the first 3 years for each selection
1. $13.3 Million
2. $12 Million
3. $10.6 Million
4. $9.6 Million
5. $8.7 Million
6. $8 Million
8. $6.7 Million
10. $5.8 Million
15. $4.5 Million
Last year, Love was projected anywhere from 5-15 before workouts where he solidified himself as a high draft pick, he had incentive to try and climb into the Top 5. Curry has already worked out at the combine, had great individual workouts at #8, still working out with Washington at #5, his draft stock keeps climbing, why would he go to group workouts with the three point guards he’s competing with when his value is probably at his max currently. He can only hurt his position with workouts by letting Jennings, Flynn, or Holliday shine against him, so shut it down, and guarantee yourself the money.
by Ebomb on Jun 12, 2009 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a great point
and some mighty fine background work on the salaries. It also shows why in a draft as murky as this one is at 2 through the mid-teens, why some cash-strapped teams would just as soon trade down this year, especially if they can get a pick in next year’s draft.
I get the part about Bright Lights Big City, and D’Antoni’s offense, etc. But if Curry really was into that, wouldn’t hehave walked on at a premiere college program, instead of taking a scholarship offer from Davidson?
by PoorDick on Jun 12, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Curry/ Thabeet
I am starting to wonder though if Thabeet could slide to 6. I’m not a fan merely as a matter of discussion. I don’t like the fit in Memphis with Gasol. The OKC is intriguing but I wonder “How highly do they think of Serge Ibaka?” I realize this sounds stupid but a trio of Kristic (Offense), Collison (Rebounding), and Ibaka (Rim-Protector) could be adequate especially since Memphis might not take Rubio. I’m pretty confident that Sac-Town’s going point and Thabeet doesn’t seem like a Flip-Type player especially with McGee’s skill-set
As for Curry- I’m more worried he’s off the board at 6 then about this. E-Bomb’s right- he probably feels he has nothing to gain. This wouldn’t disuade me for a second from selecting him.
by Jose Cordoba on Jun 12, 2009 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
this is my fear, Thabeet available at six. He has super-bust potential and obviously won’t help with shooting. He’ll actually make the shooting percentages worse since it will be 4 on 5 on the offensive end.
by littleboxes on Jun 12, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
college stats
Many big men have been busts, of course, so have many guards. Given the Twolves connection, I could think of no bigger big man bust than the Kandi Man. The Kandi man actually has a larger wingspan than Thabeet. Anyway, for what it’s worth, here are their junior year stats.
This is just information, as I’m not convinced that this is a useful comparison.
Olowokandi (junior year—Pacific)
Min FG% Ft% Reb BLK PTS
97-98 Pacific 31.7 60.9 0.0 48.5 11.2 2.9 22.2
Thabeet
Min PTS FG% FT% Reb BLK
31.8 13.6 64.0 62.7 10.8 4.2
Obviously, Thabeet played against better competition at UConn.
by littleboxes on Jun 12, 2009 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not advocating drafting Thabeet, but if he fell to #6 a Thabeet, Big Al, K-Love would be an unstoppable rebounding team and we wouldn’t need Thabeet to score….just rebound, protect the rim and log bigger minutes when playing against Yao, Bynum, Oden.
Not as athletic as Bynum, Gasol and Odom, but similar three man rotation at 5/4.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Jun 13, 2009 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only the that scares me from Thabeet
isnt even his lack of offense, but because what he is apparently good for: defense. He got absolutely punished by the centers who like to bang around in the post a la Andrew Bynum. Thabeet will not be able to guard most centers until he puts on some weight and learns how to hold his position. Guys like Bynum, Shaq, Perkins, Bogut, Duncan, etc will destroy him. I would like to emphasize what has already been said about Jefferson though: He is not a bad size for center. What I do like about Thabeet is that he could possibly guard the 4s and 5s that Al can’t. Thabeet is supposedly fast so maybe he can defend guys like KG, Amare, Dirk, and other athletic 4s and 5s while Jefferson can handle the bigger 4s and 5s. They have the potential to cover each others’ weaknesses. Potential being the operative word though. There is no way Thabeet can guard any of those guys right now. Hopefully we dont have the chance to draft him cuz I am afraid Kahn will pull the trigger.
by Mplax on Jun 13, 2009 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like some version of E.A.'s trade idea...
or maybe the Dallas/Hill scenario. If we keep the pick and Curry’s there? Take him. If he’s gone, I wouldn’t mind seeing either Holiday or Flynn. The more I hear about Evans, the more I worry – bad shooter, apparently not as athletic as we thought and WAAAYYY too many turnovers to be an effective PG. #6 is too high for him; I’d be more inclined to take him with a lower pick, possibly in a trade down situation (as long as we get a future or a current player in the trade).
by SoDakHmr on Jun 13, 2009 12:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Trading for the #5 pick
I say give Washington almost whatever they want for the #5 if Harden is available. What about Cardinal, Miller and Foye for the 5th, Thomas and salary filler? That way we can keep the 18th for an athletic wingman such as Budinger, or draft Mullens and give him a chance to develop. Either way, Sota should be exploring all options with Washington because Curry/Harden/Gomes/Love/Jefferson is sounding pretty nice from here
by easeus on Jun 13, 2009 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if thabeets there
we definitely need to take him
and take maynor with the 18th
love him as our future pg
or maybe we can even go jennings with the 6th
and maynor with 18th
its not like any of our pg can compete with those two
by andrew33 on Jun 14, 2009 12:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
seriously
we have ollie and telfair at pg
why dont we take two pg first round
jennings and maynor
minimizes risk and gives us two real complete pg that we desperately need
by andrew33 on Jun 14, 2009 12:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not entirely against the idea of taking two PGs if they are the BPAs
But…I’m mostly against it. How are you going to develop two rookies at the same position—there just aren’t enough minutes. Neither Jennings nor Maynor can play off the ball. Plus, it isn’t as if they don’t have other needs.
by Eric in Madison on Jun 14, 2009 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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