Media Row Report -- Mavericks Ruin Christmas
by Ben. on Dec 26, 2008 12:27 AM PST
47 comments
That 102 to 94 loss to the Mavericks was ether for the Blazermaniac's soul as a loss seemed unthinkable in the buildup and early stages of this game. But, pretty quickly, all sorts of trouble signs emerged. LaMarcus was a non-factor on offense during the entire first half. Blake brought back the jump pass as a White Elephant present. Batum continued to do basically nothing. Channing made James Singleton (Didn't he direct "Boyz N the Hood" like 15 years ago?) look like Karl Malone.
Not to mention that JJ Barea just had the single greatest 4 for 13 performance in the history of the NBA. How are you going to overcome that?
In hindsight, if Brandon hits a few shots in the 4th like he usually does or gets a few calls like he usually does, we might walk out winners. Those things didn't happen. Much to the surprise and anger of the Rose Garden faithful.
The bright spots tonight were the team's toughness and poise during the Przybilla/Howard altercation in the 3rd quarter (did you see Bayless frothing for some blood from the bench?), Sergio's overall game (minus the two silly quick fouls), Rudy's all-around game (punctuated by a great hustle play on defense that ended with him running about 5 rows deep in the stands) and Greg's first 8 minutes which, while not perfect, might have been some of his smoothest time on the court against a high-calibre team. His night tailed off pretty quickly after that, however.
Apropos of nothing, I hope you saw Kevin Arnovitz over at TrueHoop write, "Sergio Rodriguez would start at the PG for half the teams in the league." Please debate that in the comments. Nothing I write here will stir a pot more than that sentence.
Random Game Notes
Abbreviated game notes tonight because, you know, it's Christmas...
- What a Christmas. I'm proud to say I saw parts of all five games today even though I spent more than an hour doing a poor Martell impersonation, trying to push a stuck truck out of a parking lot... severely ruining my khakis in the process. If you saw me at the RG tonight and thought I was a bama, just know my grimeyness was the result of my one selfless act of 2008. I am so freaking proud of myself. I might just try another one again sometime soon.
- Brandon chose the warmup music tonight. "Red Magic" by The Game. Sample lyric: "Weezy Wee sip lean, me, I just taste it// we be soaking up syrup like a Waffle House apron // infra-red beams goin back to the basics //I'm a Street King, ask dude from the Matrix." I wrote that same verse about me and Dave but then The Game jacked it. I'm suing him over it. Stay tuned for updates on how that plays out.
- Best sign of the night: "Batum Raider" with a Nic/Lara Croft theme. Don't know how else to explain it but it was cool.
- Best costumes of the night: Two guys dressed up like Spiderman in suits that covered their bodies head to toe. Crazy. Lots of Santas too. One couple both dressed as Santa with a sign that said "Santa Connection loves the Spanish Connection."
- In stark contrast to the Nuggets on Tuesday, the Mavericks as a team were out very early warming up.
- Steve Blake came out to midcourt before the game to say "What's up, Portland? Want to say merry christmas, happy new year and let's have a great night." Blake's vocal tones were thuggish ruggish bone during his little speech. Not sure what was up with that.
- Another great sign: "i believe in Santa, he brought us Roy."
- Travis showed some great defensive instincts in anticipating passes but he also gave their shooters way too much room. Thought he held his own pretty well against Dirk.
- Speaking of shooters, this isn't news or anything but Jason Terry can get any freaking shot he wants at any time. Something about those Seattle boys. That is one skill I wish I had. Just walking around during life pulling up and dropping buckets at any random moment. In line at the ATM, swish. There goes the teller. She doesn't faze me. I'm wet.
- After the game, JET had daps for Blazers assistant Joe Prunty and, of course, his cousin Martell Webster.
- The Blazers Burger at Pyramid Taproom/Schonely's Place rules.
- After the game, coaches and players wished Merry Christmas to a young lady who was battling cancer. Tom Penn, whose work with St. Jude's has been pretty well-documented, was standing to the side, taking it all in with a smile. That scene put tonight's loss into perspective real quick.
Nate's Postgame Comments
Nate on the result tonight: "They went to a 3 guard offense. We knew they would, we thought they would go to that lineup with Barea and Terry and Kidd and run pick and roll sets. That's pretty much what they did. Barea did a good job of getting into the paint creating some offense and running down second shots for them. The key to the game tonight for us was we knew they were a great rebounding team. That was an emphasis tonight. We just didn't recover to the paint to box those bigs. Whenever our bigs went to rotate to the ball, you've got to crack down and give your body up and box out. Their bigs.... 16 offensive boards, not just their bigs, they beat us to the ball tonight."
Nate on whether the team relies on Brandon too much: "We've got to go other options and we are going to go to our best option. Brandon is our best option. If they take that away then other guys got to make some plays. We went to LA in the second half. He didn't have an attempt at halftime and was able to get something going. Foul trouble was there. When the opportunity presents itself you go to it. You gotta knock it down. You've got to make something happen. It's no different from what other teams are doing.
Nate on whether Brandon let the refs get into his head: "No. I thought he got hit a couple of times. That last play, when he went into the body and drew the contact, Dirk got that same call in the first half. It was identical. No. I think Brandon does a good job of handling himself with the officials and he's going and giving up his body and he's getting contact and sometimes there are no calls there. I think he's been pretty good with the officiating."
Image
Christmas shoes! In red. Sick! Greg's on the left... LMA's on the right. Too dope.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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No Way!
The best outfits by far were the guy and the girl who dressed up as the Grinch and Cindy-Lou! That was dedication!
PS- Me and my friend did the 3rd quarter Lay-up/Tic-Tac-Toe event. What a rush! It’s so nerve racking being in front of 20,000 people!
"Respect everyone, fear no one." -TP
by Arby on Dec 26, 2008 12:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Grinch looked like something
out of a kid’s Christmas nightmare
There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)
My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons
by johnv59 on Dec 26, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
and i assume you were the one that won the tic tac toe? if so good job!
by Ben. on Dec 26, 2008 12:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The 4th quarter of last night's game was like
the Grinch’s lair, up on Mt. Crumpit.
Because the Blazers played like “a bunch of garbage”
(you’re a mean one…)
by two4larue on Dec 26, 2008 10:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ah they were mentioned
yeah… that was BY FAR the best out fit. Cindy-Lou… RAWR!!!
Greg Oden, where posters happen.
by ratbastird on Dec 26, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can imagine
People make fun of others for forgetting christmas songs, but when you’re on the spot, people tend to freeze a little. Mind goes blank, and afterwords you’re going “DOH!!!”
Greg Oden, where posters happen.
by ratbastird on Dec 26, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
awww shucks, Ben
The Mavs won one game. They didn’t ruin Christmas.
by jayfisher on Dec 26, 2008 12:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I FINALLY figured out what the heck Ben's talking about when he talks about "daps"
After the game, JET had daps for Blazers assistant Joe Prunty and, of course, his cousin Martell Webster.
Wait you’re agnostic. That means you worship lawsuits. --TiH
by prezofdeath on Dec 26, 2008 1:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Please.
“Sergio Rodriguez would start at the PG for half the teams in the league.”
Chris Paul, NOR
Devin Harris, NJN
Tony Parker, SAS
Jameer Nelson, ORL
Chauncey Billups, DEN
Rajon Rondo, BOS
Mike Bibby, ATL
Jose Calderon, TOR
Steve Nash, PHO
Jason Kidd, DAL
Mo Williams, CLE
Andre Miller, PHI
Baron Davis, LAC
Ramon Sessions, MIL
Deron Williams, UTH
T.J. Ford, IND
Derrick Rose. CHI
Steve Blake, POR
Aaron Brooks, HOU
Russell Westbrook, OKC
D.J. Augustin, CHA
Beno Udrih, SAC
Chris Duhon, NY
Allen Iverson, DET
There are only four teams that Sergio would have a chance to start for.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Miami Heat
4. Washington Wizards
(Blake could probably start for about 10 teams.)
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 26, 2008 2:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I can see a few guys on that list
that he might surpass if given the PT. We don’t really know. He might beat out Duhon in NY’s system. He might beat out Brooks, or Udrih. There are some others on there who aren’t dominant by any means.
But looking at that list, it’s pretty hard to say he could beat out half of them right now. I don’t even think our Sergio homers on this site would claim that.
Sergio has established himself as a legit NBA player this year, who could be a rotation player for most teams in the league. It is better to compare him to other backup PGs at this point — he would be pretty close to the top of the list, IMO. That’s a great step forward from last year, and I hope he makes another step forward next year as well. Credit where credit is due, but let’s not get crazy.
If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President
by jscot on Dec 26, 2008 4:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd easily give the nod to Chris Duhon, Rafer Alston, and Beno Udrih over Sergio Rodriguez.
Aaron Brooks was starting for the Houston Rockets due to injury, so he doesn’t enter this equation.
by AK1984 on Dec 26, 2008 5:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Until we saw how he responded
in a starting role with starters minutes on those teams, there’s no way we can tell.
Based on what we see, you are right, but that isn’t what I said. I said he might surpass them if given the minutes, which is quite a different matter, and wholly in the realm of speculation.
If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President
by jscot on Dec 26, 2008 10:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Alot of the answer has to do with what type of offense
he’s going to run. Nate/Monte’s offensive scheme doesn’t emphasize much movement on thge weak side nor really that much movement w/o the ball in general.
Put Sergio on a team like the Warriors where the coach has been known for sitting people down for not moving w/o the ball, and I think he’d excel. Have him run an offense such as Detroit’s and he’d probably wouldn’t fair as well as he is now.
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
by Net Ranger on Dec 26, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don Nelson would probably hate Sergio.
He likes shooters and Sergio can’t shoot.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 26, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don Nelson would definitely bench Sergio Rodriguez for a shooter like C.J. Watson.
The Golden State Warriors one true point guard, Marcus Williams, has been riding the pine; that’s due in part because he can’t shoot it worth a lick from beyond the arc. In all likelihood, Rodriguez would suffer the same fate as Williams with the Warriors. Hell, a defensive stopper like DeMarcus Nelson would probably be ahead of Rodriguez on the Warriors’ depth chart.
by AK1984 on Dec 29, 2008 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe.
But you could say that about any number of point guards in the league. There are 19 teams with top notch point guards that Sergio has zero chance of surpassing. Then there are maybe 7 teams that have borderline starting point guards like Beno Udrih, Chris Duhon, Russle Westbrook, and D.J. Augustin. Sergio would have a chance with those teams, but probably wouldn’t surpass the starting PG in most cases. The last four teams Sergio would have a real shot at starting.
19 teams- No chance
7 teams- Outside chance.
4 teams- Good chance.
Sitll…
"Sergio Rodriguez would start at the PG for half the teams in the league."
is pretty far out there.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 26, 2008 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
In general, I agree
You’ve basically said what I said in my first reply to your post — given the PT, he might (but we don’t really know) surpass a few more than the four you mentioned, but not half.
If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President
by jscot on Dec 26, 2008 11:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sergio just needs confidence.
He is a great player with good court vision and decent speed. He needs more confidence for a few reasons. First, he needs to get more physical, as was evidenced in the game against Denver. Once he isn’t afraid to body up, he will be less likely to get caught up in traps or succumb to high-pressure defense. Second, he needs to shoot more. His jumper will be more likely to fall with more confidence, but really this is about finishing at the rim. He often breaks down defenses but does not threaten a finish, does not lay it up when the defense lays off of him, etc. Dallas did their proper scouting but thankfully they went way too far, all but daring Sergio to shoot floaters and layups. In a rare showing of gusto, he finished them all tonight; hopefully he can use this as a boost for the next game. Finally, he needs the confidence that comes from knowing that your coach believes in you and that you are the man the team wants to run the offense. Perhaps he is naturally meek and unsure of himself; but part of development for any coaching staff is psychology.
The main problem is that Nate gives him too little support. Last year he was stifled partially because Nate imposed such a slow, grind-it-out offense, even when Sergio was at the point, making his talents nearly useless. And he does not give him enough playing time, as evidenced by his refusal to give Sergio a second chance against Denver (perhaps he was playing poorly enough to justify that move, but I guarantee Blake would have gotten a second shot at it even if he had committed the same turnovers), and his unexplained benching of Sergio tonight for all of the second half (after a stellar job). I really hope that Nate has some grand plan for his development, or gets his act together and gives him the proper confidence and urges him to shoot/finish more, or that Sergio gets traded and properly developed by someone who recognizes him for the talent that he is.
Perhaps Sergio would not start for over half the teams in the league based on his current talent and confidence levels. But any coach in their right mind, who wanted to run an up-tempo offense that involved numerous touches each possession, and effectively utilized the pick-and-roll and give-and-go, would seriously consider starting Sergio now simply to bring his potential to fruition more fully and quickly. I hate to speak poorly of any Blazer, but Blake is simply not the future of this team at the point. He is a decent shooter (in percentage, but in my view, not fundamentally; his shot is awkward and will easily falter as defensive pressure increases) but he does not create for others well. He has been doing some great draw-and-kick plays for Oden, but that is pretty limited.
The biggest problem of course is defense, for both of them. But because Sergio has the necessary foot speed, that could come in time. It seems to me that the main obstacle is imposing his will on offensive opponents, which requires energy and effort (related to confidence), and communication with teammates. He has a very bright future, so long as people in high places recognize that and push him forward.
by Takrates on Dec 26, 2008 5:49 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Big ups to our very own Runyon
For the Santa Connection sign.
That makes two successful years in a row.
by Garces on Dec 26, 2008 6:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Why won't LaMarcus Aldridge rebound?????!!!
3 rebs in 24+ mins for our 6’11" starting PF? That’s garbage.
Other than that Dallas was just better all-around for four quarters last night. Maybe they’re better, period.
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Dec 26, 2008 7:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Let's put it this way, Jason Kidd got more rebounds than Oden and LMA combined
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Dec 26, 2008 7:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Barea got AS MANy
Double ugh. Can we get some big man besides Joel that play like big men??
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Dec 26, 2008 7:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Joel didn't rebound last night, either
Their offense was geared to pull our big men away, and their defense rebounding was geared to get rebounds for their guards by having their big men just screen off our big guys, and their guards go get the ball.
I don’t care how another team divides up their defensive rebounds. Doesn’t matter whether their center or their guards get them. But I do care about giving them offensive rebounds.
If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President
by jscot on Dec 26, 2008 10:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Greg's left sock is longer than his right sock...
Oooh… this spells trouble.
honor rasheed wallace
by Cablinasian on Dec 26, 2008 9:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
MB knows what's up
“Steve Blake had 14 points in this game, and continues to play very well.”
Blake4Prez2012!!!
by Blake4Prez2012 on Dec 26, 2008 10:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
My game thoughts
1.) Blazers couldn’t stop a rampaging snail in the fourth quarter with 3 minutes to go and down by seven. We’re down at that point we lose. Because not only can we not stop teams but…
2.) Blazers can’t score quickly. “dribble dribble dribble, still 18 seconds on the clock down nine with three minutes left? dribble dribble dribble PASS SHOOT WITH ONE SECOND!”
Something I saw that was was really cool was Bayless playing around with the ball boy on the court. The little ball boy would try to guard and block and it was cute. He also acknowledged some fans in front of me.
The cheerleaders I just want to take them all home and rub them in christmas coconut oil. I’m of course not being perverted. Just thoughtful because I’m sure they’re rather sore after that game (dude… serious stomach muscle on some of those girls… dang)
I was tempted to leave with three minutes to go because frankly… it felt like the blazers had given up. That ticked me off more than anything. Howard was out, Dirk was out for a bit… and we couldn’t beat these guys???
i say to this game… meh.
I don’t know what’s going on with the blazers, but they’re not playing defense like they did in the hornets game I saw. They make slow plays when they need to move and score quicker. I’m rather frustrated.
A couple of those balls for outlaw going in instead of out… ouch I say… OUCH!!!
My brothers response to the game (second time ever he’s gone) “at least it was close all the way. Made it fun.” He was cheering for the fourth quarter and really got into it.
Rose Garden crowd momentum… get a freaking clue. This game was probably the worse I’ve ever seen in working with the crowd. Can you say serious excitement damperer? I don’t know who plans it, but if I were in charge, I’d freaking fire them.
It needs to flow with the crowd. Don’t work the crowd before they’re ready and get your games out then. When the crowd is exploding, don’t kill it with some stupid preplanned thing that sucks the life out of the stadium.
Refs… I don’t know what it was like on TV, but this is another game where I was ticked like crazy about some calls and NON-calls. I want to thank kidd for running over one of the refs that had been ticking me off the most. I wish he’d hit him harder.
People who ride the max… get some freaking manners.
People who run the max or people at the rose garden… get some order. The west bound people think it’s okay to shove as hard as they can to get on the max despite small women or children who may be hurt in the process and people who DO have manners get pushed to the back by those who have no regard for fairness or others.
Greg Oden, where posters happen.
by ratbastird on Dec 26, 2008 10:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yo Ben
You made us, the Santa Connection, sound like we’re going out. We are not. We Santas are with our respective Ms. Clauses.
by robrun2 on Dec 26, 2008 10:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I was sitting right behind you guys
Greg Oden, where posters happen.
by ratbastird on Dec 26, 2008 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
lol didn’t mean it that way… but sorry if it came off like that…
by Ben. on Dec 26, 2008 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I can always be worse...
…the Blazers could’ve chosen the BE get-together tomorrow night as the game to collapse like a folding chair, going down the stretch
<knocks on wood that they won’t do it again, vs the Raptors>
by two4larue on Dec 26, 2008 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
oh yeah
and the best costume were NOT the spidies.
That goes to the grinch and the little who from who ville. There were NO better outfits. Also… if i were single I’d TOTALLY be asking for that who’s number. YIKES!
Seriously professional looking costume and make-up job and the grinch was in character too. Was awesome.
Greg Oden, where posters happen.
by ratbastird on Dec 26, 2008 10:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Travis showed some great defensive instincts in anticipating passes
I saw on one steal by travis in which blake told travis the ball was swinging his way and travis somehow stole it with his back turned, probably just a lucky swipe, but you have to commend blake for communicating. That is something that i’m a little worried about from every one on the blazers except for blake and pryz, is a simple lack of communication, especially on defending pick and rolls.
Activate Shavlik Randolph
by appel82 on Dec 26, 2008 11:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
yeah that was awesome.
it was more of Blake getting screened under the basket and telling Travis to switch and Travis jumped out at just the right moment. A small bright sot in travis’ otherwise terrible rotations.
"It's like, 'Urrrrrrgh!'" Rodriguez says, his cupped hands turning into fists. "It is a good feeling. Good feeling."
by sergioFTW on Dec 26, 2008 2:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
so who's buying a christmas jersey?
made special just for last nights rebounding clinic. I’m biding on a Josh Howard right now.
Activate Shavlik Randolph
by appel82 on Dec 26, 2008 12:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of kicks
i wanna kick JJ Borneo in the nuts
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
by bowdown on Dec 26, 2008 12:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
i mean he was running around and grabbing off rebs like an annoying pest
"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "
best one liner i ever heard.
by bowdown on Dec 26, 2008 12:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The color scheme on Brandon's shoes
made his kicks look really, really nice. Looked like a whole different shoe. Any close-up pics of those?
when i get sad, i stop being sad & become awesome again. true story.
by Net Ranger on Dec 26, 2008 1:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think anybody has mentioned
Brandon’s hair cut, with the two strips? cut out on the left side. Is that new? I’ve never seen it before.
There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)
My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons
by johnv59 on Dec 26, 2008 1:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
yeah we were making jokes about that all game… WHOA LOOK HOW FAST HE IS…. etc… while he was shooting free throws “WHOA HES TAKING A RUNNING START WHOA” … couldnt get a good picture of it but i will tomorrow
by Ben. on Dec 26, 2008 3:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
long recap at LoadedO is up
For those checking over at LoadedOrygun (or who might be interested), an extended recap of the Dallas game is up
Last night I started taking notes during the game, which really helps fill in the details of certain plays—who the shot was against, what they had to do to score/block/rebound/whatever, etc. I was pissed last night, but by today I think I realized it’s more a matter of heightened expectations than a truly bad game by the boys.
by torridjoe on Dec 26, 2008 1:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Stubborn Nate gets a lump of coal for this one
Why didn’t he bring a double-team or stop that awful switching off their Barea pick-and-rolls? Made him look like John Stockton (and Bass like Malone).
Putting Travis (and occasional doubleteams) on Nowitzki was great, but Nate didn’t have any other moves in this one.
Seems like last year, with the zone defense, our strategy had more variety, and this year on defense we’re a one-trick pony.
"I didn't know I was going to score 52 so I didn't think to Tivo it or nothin." -B Roy
by Dodoh on Dec 26, 2008 4:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Some thoughts
I was lucky enough to score some last minute tickets to the game. I still had fun even though the Blazers choked at the end. They couldn’t keep Dallas’ guards from rebounding and no one could keep Barea from getting to the hoop in the fourth quarter.
I was pleasantly surprised that Travis could guard Nowitzki. I don’t know if that means Dirk is a wuss, but he wasn’t able to post Travis up. Travis also had what felt like were back to back steals from Dirk near the sideline.
I don’t know why Blake got thugged out before the game. It was a little weird for sure. The Grinch and Who costumes were probably the best and I liked the Batum Raider sign as well for no particular reason.
Timeouts are longer when the game is nationally televised which took away some of the momentum.
Roy was whining about a lot of non-calls. Sure, it was one of the worst officiated games I’ve seen, but you’ve got to suck it up. The refs don’t like to be shown up (see ya Howard) and Roy doesn’t have enough juice to get the Jordan-type calls.
I hope the Blazers spent all of day shooting free throws. There is little excuse for not being able to shoot 80% as a team.
I don’t know why Sergio didn’t play more in the fourth when Barea was torching Blake.
Jason Terry lit it up for sure and has a nice shot. The Blazers were late on a lot of rotations.
by torsoheap on Dec 26, 2008 11:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
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