Bulls make cuts to 13, plus stuff on James Johnson, watchability, and more LINKS
Biggest news today was the Bulls trimming the roster, requesting waivers on John Lucas, Roger Powell (forgot he hadn't been cut yet), and Kyle Weaver. That puts the roster at 13, and means another signing is almost likely.
Interesting that the Bulls are now without an emergency PG, and some would say they don't even have a backup. Lots of decent-enough players remain unsigned, Eric Dampier has yet to make a choice, and there's always time to burn the Rudy Fernandez oil again, right?
Another roster decision is coming up at the end of the month, and that's whether to pick up the 2011-12 option on James Johnson. The Suns made news today by saying they will not be doing the same for their '09 draftee Earl Clark, who joins a pretty exclusive group. Jimmy Johns has looked decent at times this preseason, and while I still doubt he'll ever hone his game enough to be a counted-upon role player, his option for that season is only ~$1.83m, and at the very least could be a pseudo-expiring contract for that year.
Some links:
- SBNation's own Mike Prada brings back his Watchability Scale for the new year, the way of which he ranks who to watch on the ol' League Pass. I'll spare you some suspense: unlike last year, the Bulls are not absolute dead last (and I may be biased since I 'had' to watch them, but it was accurate)
- ESPN the Magazine had a cool concept for their NBA preview that included enlisting Marvel Comics to create an appropriate cover for each team.
- NBA Playbook goes way in-depth to see how the Bulls have fared in picking up Thibodeau's pick/roll defense in the preseason.
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TBH, I am more concerned about people getting healthy
If we can somehow survive the first month or so, we should be fine.
by BullsFan22 on Oct 21, 2010 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
If Dampier comes here?
is that really more playing time than he would get somewhere like Atlanta? I wouldn’t say that our chance of winning a title THIS year is any better than the Hawks.
Still, we’d have great frontcourt depth once Boozer gets back.
Noah/Damp/Asik
Booz/Taj/Kurt/Scal
that’s as big and strong a frontcourt as anyone in the league. Including Boston/LA
"I want to be that guy. I want to be the reason the Bulls are back."- Derrick Rose.
"I'm never leaving Chicago."- Derrick Rose
Bulls are cheap. They don't deserve us, the best fans in the NBA
They’ll carry only 13 players. It is like trying to win a car race in a Hundai.
No.
The 14th guy would be like the difference between having a sun roof or not. Might be fun to have, but it isn’t going to determine if you get to your destination or not.
The Bulls are cheap, but carrying a 14th man at the minimum salary wouldn’t change that.
by Grinder in Training on Oct 22, 2010 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Even worse...
Carrying that 14th guy could hamper trade flexibility if something opens up during the season…
Can't wait to see Boozer and Rose running pick and roll...err...
Carrying a 14th and 15th guy on an unguaranteed contract
does not hamper flexibility.
These two guys are important for when injuries occur. When a couple of people go down, there would be players that have practiced in the system all year long that can be plugged in. That’s got to be worth one or two wins throughout the year.
by JockstrapNoah on Oct 22, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Every dollar you pay those guys...
Counts against the cap…which costs flexibility should a borderline trade come along.
Can't wait to see Boozer and Rose running pick and roll...err...
But those guys can also be thrown into trades
to make salaries match – i.e. how we got Acie Law and Flip. Paying $800 grand to Weaver or Powell has little impact on the Bulls ability to make trades in the future.
Unless we are talking about trading someone into the Bulls very tiny cap space for picks or signing a free agent, than the 14th guy on the roster doesn’t have any impact. That is why so many teams have 14 or 15 man rosters.
by Basketball Smurf on Oct 22, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
And if you have a sun roof
and you live in a sunny place, you have to use sunscreen most of the time. Which could be a bit annoying
by JustAnotherFan on Oct 22, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
excuse my tweet ignorance
but is that Tweet K.C’s reply to yfbb or yfbb’s reply to KC? The former being more interesting than latter as K.C. is a parrot that repeats about 1/4 of everything he hears.
by Basketball Smurf on Oct 21, 2010 7:38 PM CDT reply actions
It doesn't necessarily ean it's a reply to anyone...
…as the “@” symbol isjust a way to “mention” someone.It alerts the person that you mentioned them. It’s also used in replies. That one looks like Matt said no 3rd PG and KC said no PG at all.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
anyone watching heats and the hawks? This point gaurd from the bench is FAST!(hawks bench) He's probably faster than Rose and Wall
Yeah I'm watching it
Really glad we didn’t sign Joe Johnson. Between him and Deng, the Bulls offense would be nothing but jab steps and long twos.
So if CJ Watson gets hurt Rose plays 48 minutes a game?
His PER 48 numbers are pretty good, but I think we may want to get some insurance just in case.
by Basketball Smurf on Oct 21, 2010 7:52 PM CDT reply actions
If CJ gets hurt.
I’m sure they would just bring John Lucas back or go sign Brevin Knight or something.
"I want to be that guy. I want to be the reason the Bulls are back."- Derrick Rose.
"I'm never leaving Chicago."- Derrick Rose
if there is value in knowing the system
(and that is the whole premise of keeping Scals around) than why wouldn’t you want your 3rd point guard around the team so that they can actually learn to run the system? Especially since CJ Watson has been so poor running the point so far, it kind of seems like you would want to have a 3rd guy around just in case CJ never gets it together.
by Basketball Smurf on Oct 21, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Besides knowing Thibs more
What has Scal done better than Weaver this preseason?
New job schedule making it nearly impossible to watch Bulls games anymore.
by Option27 on Oct 21, 2010 8:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
If Watson can't play PG, he's even more of a worthless signing than I thought.
And I’m even more mad about Thomas not being here. :)
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Only have room for one Thomas
I'm cuckoo for Kukoc!!!
by Yibs on Oct 21, 2010 11:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Bulls Org: No Thomas' allowed
They’re allowed to have one.
Hyuck hyuck!
Teams without Chapu lost 1173 games during the 2009-'10 season.
What's the apostrophe for?
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
It's funny, in the preseason games I've caught bits of there have been some "Wow, who was that!?" moments regarding Jimmy Johns.
I almost forget he’s on the team. He’s finally showing a little promise and he might have a semi-OK year in limited minutes with this coaching staff. I’d like to see them pick up the option.
JJ will play
If Bogans back and Brewer’s hamstring act up again. I would have liked to have seen more of him in the preseason. Maybe he gets a late start.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Thibs talks about an 8 or 9 man rotation
which is going to leave someone on the bench. Given the improvement that JJ has shown in the preseason I’d love to see him get at least a small amount of burn. I’m afraid that if he’s left on the bench he’ll regress.
by JockstrapNoah on Oct 22, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
atlanta looks somewhat better
horford looking deadly with that midrange game now
and i saw a lot more ball movement as they had been saying over the summer
a lot less of joe johnson iso plays which was nice to see
bibby and johnson creating space and then having the ball move around was a nice change for that team.
they could do some damage this year but honestly dont know what they were thinking paying joe johnson that kind of money
seriously i never thought id see joe johnson be the highest paid guy in the nba
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
also sidenote
im really interested to see what kind of deal horford gets compared to noah
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
by sin on Oct 21, 2010 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well...
Here are last year’s stats for both players.
Horford is certainly the more polished offensive player. A 117 ORtg with good TS is excellent. They are both mid usage players but Horford’s PER bests Noah by a little. Noah is the far superior player on the glass. Noah’s DRtg aslo seems to show that Noah is the better defensive player (although ATL team DRtg from last year was one point worse than the Bulls, Noah has Horford beat by a solid margin). The big surprise for me is that Horford might actually be a better passer. He is going to get a few less assists, but Noah is much more turnover prone. Now, Noah has looked a bit better in that department during the preseason (he is generating more assists without turning it over more than usual), but both big men are solid passers.
In my opinion, Noah wins in defense and rebounding by a solid margin, passing is close to a draw (maybe edge to Horford) and Horford is better offensively. Personally, I think Noah is the better one to have. The difference between Noah and Horford in defense and rebounding is huge. As I’ve said many times before, Noah is not just a good defender, rebounder, and passer, he is excellent at all 3. That said, there is something to be said about a big man who can score efficiently and in a one on one setting. To a certain extent, Horford reminds me a bit of Andrew Bogut. I’ve watched plenty of Bucks games (my dad is a Bucks fan, sadness), and it seemed that his first two seasons, the Bucks would just stop running their offense through Bogut. Once they really started letting Bogut take over, he started putting up big numbers. His production and efficiency did not drop with higher usage. I could see Horford being that guy on a team that needs big man scoring.
I think their contracts should be comparable, but Horford should probably get 1 mil more a year or so, even more if he refuses to resign with ATL.
Thoughts?
"Mental toughness is to physical as four is to one." - Bob Knight
He'll get paid
Look at Crawful’s preseason numbers in the motion offense. He makes Kirk Hinrich look like an all-star.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
The Hawks are salary constrained a little bit.
Looking at Shams numbers for the hawks, if Horford gets 11mil next year they’d be at 57mil with 4 more spots to fill. So they’d have the same team next year except without the ability to get someone of Jamal Crawford’s quality. (CBA will be different but whatev).
by JockstrapNoah on Oct 22, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
noah is clearly the better defensive player
Horford is better offensively.
However id say horford has a better chance at becoming more well rounded than noah ever will. Noah I think is never going to get a real offensive game.
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
he already has a real offensive game
by Basketball Smurf on Oct 22, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
scoring off offensive boards is great but i dont consider that having an offensive game
horford has a nice jumper now to along with some pretty decent post moves
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
Being able to run the floor and pass well is though.
Those are things Noah does quite well. Just because his offensive game isn’t the same as Tim Duncan’s, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one.
by Grinder in Training on Oct 22, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
you dont think horford runs and passes well?
i think horford can do everything noah can AND has an offensive game
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
The only thing I can think of
is that Noah is a better rebounder and help defender. But Noah could surpass Horford this year
by Stacey_Is_King on Oct 22, 2010 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions
true but i think his offensive game is leaps and bounds ahead of noah
whereas his defense isnt that far behind
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
Man, Weaver getting cut SUCKS. :(.
The Clippers fired the second-worst coach in basketball so they could hire the worst coach in basketball!
by Prevenge on Oct 21, 2010 10:14 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
They barely gave him a chance, It's a shame.
Also, CJ Watson is reminding me more and more of Pargo the more shots he chucks up.
Blog-a-Bull, You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious...
by windycitywarrior on Oct 21, 2010 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
A guy who is trying to make a team that can't get there on time?
That sure doesn’t say much for the guy. You’d hope he’d take it a little more seriously.
by Grinder in Training on Oct 22, 2010 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
that's why Scal sleeps in the alley outside Berto.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2010 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
After his championships, he sleeps one hour.
And Thibs keeps guard, making sure to wake him if the corner three is open in a pick-up game.
Meh
Having Weaver wasn’t such a great add. I’d rather have room and try go for a real SG (Mayo, Rudy, etc) then we can have either Brewer or Bogans as second unit instead of Weaver.
I hope that is the plan…. (but probably it’s not)
by JustAnotherFan on Oct 22, 2010 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I owuld not pick up Johnson's option. Use the expiring ocntract ths year.
I hate James Johnson and what he stands for (actually, the talent passed up for him…)
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Really?
With Taj looking like junk, I think picking up Johnson’s option is a very good move. The guy has some athletic talent and can shoot a little. He can nominally play backup SF or PF and the Bulls frontcourt is brittle. The fact that they should have drafted Ty Lawson or whatever doesn’t make dropping JJ to save $1M a good idea.
by hitlesswonder on Oct 21, 2010 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't see him costing more than $1.6 million if he's good enough to re-sign.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Pick up both options
Trade Taj to the Raptors for a future #1. Asik can do whatever Taj can do only better other than the 10-15 foot jumper and FT shooting. When Boozer returns he, Noah, Asik, and Thomas will be fine. When Thibs matches the small lineup Deng or JJ can play the 4.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
no.
Asik can not play defense like Taj can without fouling.
The problem is if Taj is actually hurt.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
What did Taj do all last year?
Foul players and throw up his arms. Playing him might be punishment since it may lighten the weight of his wallet.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Asik's defense is different.
He can’t defend the pick and roll as well as Taj, but he’s also defending the PnR covering slower players (centers). Asik has looked great in defending the hoop, getting blocks, altering shots, etc.
by JockstrapNoah on Oct 22, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
That's ridiculous
He could easily improve to the point where some team will pay him more than $1.8 million.
Pat Riley is the devil.
by Poloplaya14 on Oct 22, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
also, Bulls would have to use MLE/BAE to sign him, can't use bird rights.
(i think)
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I don't care.
I just don’t see him being useful. To me, he’s always projected as a poor-man’s Carmelo Anthony, and one might remember I don’t like Anthony much. I think he’s far away from being a poor-man’s Anthony.
In my opinion, he’s far away from his potential and as a bench player, his potential isn’t anything special.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
He could.
I’m just saying I don’t see it as “easily”. It’s like, Tyrus Thomas could easily become someone worth $12 million per year.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Sure
But we don’t have to commit 5 years $40 million to JJ to keep him around.
Pat Riley is the devil.
Um, obviously. He also doesn't have near the upside of Thomas.
He’s a meaningless part, even at his best.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Yay! Polo says I can have an opinion!
Thank you, thank you, sooo soooo much.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
waived
i know he never would have seen the court. but am i the only person that still has a soft spot for roger powell from the Illinois days?
by Rondo's Vagina on Oct 21, 2010 11:52 PM CDT reply actions
remember that missed free throw dunk?
good times, Illinois hasn’t been the same since that year, but we’ll have a solid squad this year which is nice.
by BigBabyCollin on Oct 22, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
haha
i was going to mention that. i was watching that game at kam’s, and it’s one of my only memories of the night.
Doesn’t seem very moral to me. Might as well take Satan’s autograph while you’re at it. - N.C.
I'd prefer him to Scalabrine
He looks quick sometimes
saw this in KC's mailbag:
James Johnson seems to be showing up in the stat sheet in a much more favorable way. Is it because he’s playing against lower competition? How much is due to Thibodeau being a better teacher than VDN? Dan, Groton, Conn.
I think broadening the discussion to diss VDN is a bit of a stretch. Johnson played like an out-of-control rec-leaguer often during Vegas Summer League after VDN landed with the Clippers. Does that mean we should blame Pete Myers? What I will agree with is that Johnson has played better this preseason. And not just in ways he has shown up in the box score. He has made fewer poor decisions as well. That said, I still don’t see where his minutes come unless there are multiple injuries.
yeah that's a stupid argument imo
myers was part of the old staff, and if he was a great asset, johnson probably could have already been learning things from him during his rookie year.
Really though
Who coaches in summer league? There is marginal coaching at best.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions
VDN FTW!!!
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
And VDN was learning how to coach during summer league ...
I get it now!
WEAVER! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It's Pippen
Think about it. Are you going to listen to tips from a former player like Pete Myers or are you going to listen to a living legend like Scottie Pippen?
Furthermore, KC won’t even credit Thibs when its practically choking KC. It’s the main issue with KC and his relationship with the team. The mailbag is more like a gasbag. KC plays PR high five with the Bulls because he has wants to.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pippen tips now?
(sorry)
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2010 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
They're kind of free
How much are they costing him?
Plus Jimmy Johns learned his kung fu on dirt floors.
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Damps will sign with them
;)
I can predict the future using Norm Van Lier's crystal balls.
"Sam has a tendency to denigrate reports coming from any reporter who didn’t also cover the day Naismith first put up the peach baskets." - snley
by NBA Observer on Oct 22, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Watchability Link Dead
Try HERE
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)
thanks, fixed.
BaB on Twitter | BaB on Facebook
"Don't nag, flag!"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 22, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope they pick up JJ
he may be a slow process (zing!) but in 2 yrs, he may be a hellva a player – no tyrus thomas
"One fact: I don't own a printer, and I f*c*ing hate computers. All kinds. I come here today not just to bash on f*c*ing technology, but to offer you all a proposition." K.F.P.
Don't speak of Tyrus that way.
At BaB, we maintain senseless Tyrus-love. Myself very much included. He’s just taking his sweet time becoming Kevin Garnett.
i know I have a comeback
just gotta find it
"One fact: I don't own a printer, and I f*c*ing hate computers. All kinds. I come here today not just to bash on f*c*ing technology, but to offer you all a proposition." K.F.P.
yeah in about 10 years he'll be exactly where garnett is at this point in his career
breaking down and pretty much useless
This may go down as the most retarded decade in NBA history.
Garnett is nowhere near useless
I’d probably take him over Boozer, if it was a 1-year run.
by Stacey_Is_King on Oct 22, 2010 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions
there's that comeback! lol
"One fact: I don't own a printer, and I f*c*ing hate computers. All kinds. I come here today not just to bash on f*c*ing technology, but to offer you all a proposition." K.F.P.
Not really related to this story, but...
Even though we may not have to hear Stacey King saying “The Rookie” Taj Gibson, now we’ll have to put up with hearing “The Savvy Veteran” Kurt Thomas about a thousand times this season, I’m afraid. I normally don’t mind King (actually, I think he’s pretty funny), but I really wish he’d stop this crap. GO BULLS!!!

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