SCHEDULE THROUGH JANUARY

12/28 - Sixers
12/29 - Celtics
off
1/2 - Clippers (2nd of B-2-B vs. Nuggets)
off
off
1/5 - @ Clippers (2nd of B-2-B vs. Lakers)
off
off
off
1/9 - Grizzlies
off
1/11 - Trail Blazers (2nd of B-2-B vs. Heat)
off
1/13 - @ Nuggets
off
off
1/16 - Heat
off
1/18 - @ Spurs
1/19 - @ Hornets
off
1/21 - Clippers
off
1/23 - Thunder (2nd of B-2-B vs. Clippers)
off
1/25 - @ Bulls
1/26 - @ Bucks (2nd of B-2-B vs. Cavaliers)
off
1/28 - @ Raptors
1/29 - @ Cavaliers
off
1/31 - Mavericks

Warriors have 6 games in 9 nights to finish January - 4 on the road vs. EC teams

SUMMER LEAGUE ROOKIE EFFICIENCY RATINGS

It could be difficult to compare players just by looking at the standard statistical categories such as points, rebounds, and assists, so the NBA has come up with an Efficiency Statistic which allows one to quickly evaluate a player's overall performance.

Efficiency formula: ((Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks) - ((Field Goals Att. - Field Goals Made) + (Free Throws Att. - Free Throws Made) + Turnovers))

Click on names to see full stats.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 24.00
Damian Lillard: 20.50
Terrence Jones: 19.60
John Henson: 19.25
Donatas Motiejunas: 18.50
Bernard James: 18.40
Josh Akognon: 18.00
Meyers Leonard: 16.00
Jeremy Lamb: 15.60
Tyler Zeller: 14.80
Jae Crowder: 14.60
Bradley Beal: 14.00
Will Barton: 13.40
Harrison Barnes: 12.80
Andrew Nicholson: 12.80
Perry Jones III: 12.50
Miles Plumlee: 12.00
Maalik Wayns: 12.00
Drew Viney: 12.00
John Jenkins: 11.60
Royce White: 11.60
Jacob Pullen: 11.33
Kyle O'Quinn: 11.20
Tony Wroten: 11.00
Kent Bazemore: 10.75
Andre Drummond: 10.60
Jared Sullinger: 10.60
Derwin Kitchen: 10.50
Robert Sacre: 10.40
Denzel Bowles: 10.20
Thomas Robinson: 10.20
Evan Fournier: 10.00
Draymond Green: 9.80
Mitchell Watt: 9.80
Doron Lamb: 9.75
Tornike Shengelia: 9.60
Tyshawn Taylor: 9.50
Stefhon Hannah: 9.00
Kim English: 8.60
Scott Machado: 8.60
Mike Scott: 8.60
Kendall Marshall: 8.50
Terrence Ross: 8.40
Brad Wanamaker: 8.00
Drew Gordon: 7.60
Justin Burrell: 7.20
Kevin Murphy: 7.00
Dion Waiters: 6.67
Fab Melo: 6.60
Josh Owens: 6.50
Orlando Johnson: 6.20
Maurice Harkless: 6.00
Festus Ezeli: 5.80
Joe Ragland: 5.60
Kris Joseph: 4.80
Henry Sims: 4.25
Austin Rivers: 4.00
Marquis Teague: 1.60

JEREMY TYLER'S SHORTCUT

Jeremy Tyler skipped important steps in his development - 1 more year of high school ball and 1 year of college to learn the basics of his craft. His size and athleticism allowed him to dominate weaker competition in San Diego, but it gave him an inaccurate picture of where he stood relative to all the other star high school players who shared the same dream. Tyler thought he was ready for the pros, but was in for a rude awakening after forgoing his senior season to play professionally in Israel.

Once you get to the pros, they assume you know the basics and don't have the patience to coach you from ground up. Instead of gradually building a solid foundation, he was forced to work with what he knew and try to use it against grown, seasoned pro players 5 years older and wiser. It was a recipe for disaster and most of the blame falls on his parents. The shortcut to the pros might have netted him a early payday, but it may cost him the ability to earn millions more in the long run.

It wasn't until he got to Japan that he was able to receive personal attention from a reputable coach in Bob Hill (former Pacers coach). It was the first positive step he has taken in the journey, but it's going to take a lot more time and quality coaching to erase the bad habits from his game and to rebuild that confidence and self-awareness he so sorely needs. If the Warriors want to get the most of their raw Bigs (Tyler and now Ezeli), it would be of the utmost importance to hire the best big man coach money can buy.

It a recent interview with Rusty Simmons, he said,

"You know that perfect you, the one you see in your dreams?" Tyler said. "I realized that I've never seen myself that way in reality. I came in believing that I was already all-everything. Now I know that there are a lot of guys who are better than me. Once you start respecting the skill in this league, you start getting a lot better."

Sounds like he finally realizes that he's not as good as he thought he was. He's behind the curve now and it's up to Tyler to commit to the work ethic and mental toughness required to catch up to the rest of his peers.

UPDATED FREE AGENT WISH LIST

Now that the Warriors have gotten a quality backup PG in Jarrett Jack via trade, targets and priorities change. Brandon Rush is still expected to return and hopefully, they can get him at a salary that starts at around $4M. I would love to bring back Dominic McGuire with the Bi-Annual Exception at $2M. That would leave the Warriors with a little over $1M to sign one more player if they want to steer clear of the Luxury Tax.

If Rush and McGuire re-sign, the roster looks like this:

PG: Curry / Jack / Jenkins
SG: Thompson / Rush
SF: Barnes / McGuire / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

Beefing up the front court would appear to be the biggest area of need. Unless the young bigs behind our starters (Green, Ezeli, and Tyler) show promise in Summer League, it would be wise to lean towards a player who can backup the PF and C positions. If they appear to be in decent shape in the front court, the Warriors could also lean towards adding another wing player. Whichever player they target, it would be nice to be able to land a versatile player that can play more than just one position, whether it be a SG/SF, SF/PF, or a PF/C. These are the players I would be targeting with only $1M to spend:

PG Rankings

1. Ben Uzoh

SG Rankings

1. Terrence Williams
2. Marquis Daniels

SF Rankings

1. James Singleton
2. Damion James
3. Chris Wright
4. Sam Young

PF Rankings

1. Jordan Hill
2. Sheldon Williams
3. Anthony Randolph
4. Shawne Williams
5. D.J. White
6. Vernon Macklin
7. Kevin Jones (undrafted)
8. Henry Sims (undrafted)
9. Drew Gordon (undrafted)

Overall Rankings

1. Jordan Hill
2. Sheldon Williams
3. James Singleton
4. Terrence Williams
5. Anthony Randolph
6. Shawne Williams
7. Devin Ebanks
8. D.J. White
9. Damion James
10. Ben Uzoh
11. Chris Wright
12. Vernon Macklin
13. Kevin Jones
14. Henry Sims
15. Marquis Daniels
16. Drew Gordon
17. Sam Young

TOP SUMMER LEAGUE PERFORMERS - 07/11/12

Pacers 77 Celtics 85
Miles Plumlee: 33 min, 6-12 fg, 6-8 ft, 8 reb, 4 to, 3 bs, 18 pts
Lance Stevenson: 29 min, 7-15 fg, 4-6 ft, 3 ast, 7 to, 6 pf, 1 bs, 19 pts
Julian Mavunga: 28 min, 12 reb, 3 ast, 3 st, 1 blk, 8 pts
Jared Sullinger: 30 min, 7-12 fg, 2-2 ft, 8 reb, 5 to, 2 bs, 16 pts
Kris Joseph: 29 min, 4-8 fg, 1-2 3pt, 3-4 ft, +26 +/-, 7 reb, 2 ast, 3 st, 12 pts
E'twaun Moore: 24 min, 6-11 fg, 1-3 3pt, 2-2 ft, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 bs, 15 pts

Thunder 83 Pistons 62
Cole Aldrich: 28 min, 5-7 fg, 7 reb, 1 st, 2 bs, 10 pts
Reggie Jackson: 26 min, 6-11 fg, 3-3 ft, 7 reb, 5 ast, 7 pf, 2 to, 15 pts
Garrett Temple: 28 min, 5-9 fg, 2-5 3pt, +16 +/-, 6 st, 15 pts
Austin Daye: 27 min, 5-7 fg, 2-4 3pt, 6-7 ft, 4 reb, 3 to, 18 pts
Andre Drummond: 29 min, 4-9 fg, 2-4 ft, 9 reb, 4 bs, 10 pts

Nets 71 76ers 79
Tornike Shengelia: 27 min, 5-9 fg, 1-4 3pt, 6-6 ft, 6 reb, 2 ast, 4 to, 17 pts
Bryant Dunston: 33 min, 6-8 fg, 7 reb, 14 pts
Marshon Brooks: 30 min, 6-13 fg, 6-9 ft, 3 reb, 3 ast, 2 st, 18 pts
Tyshawn Taylor: 29 min, 4-10 fg, 1-2 3pt, 3-4 ft, 2 ast, 12 pts
Justin Holiday: 27 min, 6-13 fg, 4-4 3pt, 2-2 ft, 6 reb, 1 bs, 18 pts
Xavier Silas: 22 min, 4-8 fg, 1-2 3pt, 3-4 ft, 4 reb, 3 ast, 12 pts

Jazz 79 Magic 75
Jeremy Evans: 18 min, 6-8 fg, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 st, 13 pts
Enes Kanter: 29 min, 5-9 fg, 12 reb, 2 ast, 1 st, 12 pts
Alec Burks: 25 min, 5-11 fg, 5-6 ft, 3 reb, 2 ast, 15 pts
Andrew Nicholson: 16 min, 4-7 fg, 8-8 ft, 2 reb, 16 pts
Maalik Wayns: 22 min, 6-11 fg, 4-5 ft, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 st, 5 to, 1 bs, 16 pts

UPDATED FINANCIALS

As of now, the Warriors are about to essentially trade Dorell Wright for Jarrett Jack in a 3-way trade. It's not official yet, but if the deal were to go through, the cap situation would like something like this...

*click for larger image

The rookie salaries are only estimates and Brandon Rush's Qualifying Offer will likely be adjusted later, depending upon what salary they agree to resign him. If these numbers are close, then the Warriors still have about $3.4M to play with before hitting the Luxury Tax threshold. That's theoretically enough to resign McGuire and a lower tier PF/C like Sheldon Williams.

Current Roster (if trade goes through)

PG: Curry / Jack / Jenkins

SG: Thompson / Rush

SF: Barnes / Jefferson

PF: Lee / Green / Tyler

C: Bogut / Biedrins / Ezeli

2 open roster spots

Needs: backup PF/C and Dominic McGuire

TOP SUMMER LEAGUE PERFORMERS - 7/9/12 & 7/10/12

July 9 : Nets 88 Magic 92
Andrew Nicholson - 32 min, 8-16 fg, 8-12 ft, 12 reb, 1 to, 2 bs, 24 pts
Kyle O'Quinn - 30 min, 8-10 fg, 0-2 ft, 4 reb, 2 bs, 16 pts
Maalik Wayns - 28 min, 2-7 fg, 7-9 ft, 10 ast, 3 stl, 3 to, 11 pts
Al Thornton - 25 min, 6-14 fg, 1-2 3pt, 5-7 ft, 7 reb, 1 bs, 18 pts
Carleton Scott - 19 min, 6-9 fg, 3-5 3pt, 1-1 ft, 6 reb, 3 stl, 1 bs, 16 pts


July 9 : Celtics 73 Thunder 65
Dionte Christmas - 30 min, 4-9 fg, 2-6 3pt, 10 reb, 4 ast, 2 to, 10 pts
Jared Sullinger - 24 min, 6-12 fg, 7-7 ft, 6 reb, 1 bs, 20 pts
Perry Jones III - 29 min, 7-17 fg, 1-1 3pt, 1-1 ft, 8 reb, 0 to, 16 pts
Lazar Hayward - 37 min, 4-14 fg, 9-9 ft, 9 reb, 1 stl, 1 bs, 18 pts
Reggie Jackson - 29 min, 7-15 fg, 5-6 ft, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 4 to, 19 pts


July 9 : Jazz 73 Pistons 76
Kyle Singler - 32 min, 6-8 fg, 2 reb, 2 stl, 3 to, 1 bs, 14 pts
Kim English - 30 min, 5-9 fg, 3-4 3pt, 5-6 ft, 2 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 18 pts
Brandon Knight - 30 min, 4-11 fg, 9-14 ft, 5 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 2 to, 17 pts

July 9 : Pacers 69 76ers 63
Mason Plumlee - 32  min, 3-4 ft, 10 reb, 1 ast, 9 pts
Orlando Johnson - 35 min, 6-17 fg, 6-10 fg, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 5 to, 4 ba, 19 pts


July 10 :  76ers 80 Jazz 84
Jacob Pullen - 29 min, 8-14 fg, 4-7 3pt, 3-3 ft, 4 ast, 3 to, 23 pts
Enes Kanter - 27 min, 5-9 fg, 8 reb, 1 stl, 1 bs, 10 pts
Alec Burks - 29 min, 10-14 fg, 1-2 3pt, 10-11 ft, 3 reb, 31 pts


July 10 : Pacers 78 Thunder 74
Lance Stephenson - 34 min, 10-14 fg, 2-4 3pt, 6-9 ft, 3 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 28 pts
Lazar Hayward - 35 min, 7-16 fg, 8 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 to, 15 pts
Reggie Jackson - 31 min, 5-15 fg, 3-5 ft, 2 reb, 4 ast, 13 pts


July 10 : Pistons 79 Magic 74
Austin Daye - 23 min, 8-10 fg, 3-3 3pt, 5-5 ft, 6 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 1 to, 1 bs, 24 pts


July 10 : Nets 73 Celtics 82
Adam Morrison - 31 min, 3-9 fg, 4-4 ft, 10 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 3 to, 10 pts
Al Thornton - 27 min, 3-13 fg, 10-11 ft, 8 reb, 2 bs, 16 pts
Jared Sullinger - 31 min, 3-12 fg, 2-3 ft, 12 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 8 pts
E'twaun Moore - 28 min, 5-12 fg, 4-4 ft, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 to, 1 bs, 15 pts
Jonathan Gibson - 14 min, 5-7 fg, 3-5 3pt, 4-6 ft, 1 ast, 17 pts

SUMMER LEAGUE TEAMS TO WATCH

Warriors
PG: C. Jenkins
SG: K. Thompson
SF: H. Barnes
PF: D. Green / C. Wright
C: F. Ezeli / J. Tyler

Bobcats
PG: K. Walker
SG: C. Higgins
SF: M. Kidd-Gilchrist / J. Taylor
PF: B. Mullens
C: B. Biyombo

Cavaliers
PG: K. Irving
SG: D. Waiters
SF: K. Jones
PF: T. Thompson
C: T. Zeller

Nuggets
PG: J. Stone
SG: E. Fournier
SF: J. Hamilton
PF: Q. Miller
C: K. Faried

Pistons
PG: B. Knight
SG: K. English
SF: K. Singler
PF: A. Daye
C: A. Drummond

Rockets
PG: S. Machado
SG: J. Lamb
SF: C. Parsons / R. White
PF: T. Jones / P. Patterson / M. Morris
C: D. Motiejunas

Hornets
PG: A. Rivers
SG: X. Henry
SF: D. Miller
PF: L. Thomas
C: A. Davis

Trail Blazers
PG: D. Lillard / N. Smith
SG: W. Matthews
SF: W. Barton
PF: L. Babbitt
C: M. Leonard

Mavericks
PG: D. Jones
SG: J. Cunningham
SF: J. Crowder
PF: D. Gordon
C: B. James


Sources:

SecretRival - 2012 NBA SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER
Golden St. Warriors

WARRIORS WORKS FREE AGENT WISH LIST

The Golden State Warriors appear to be exercising patience this free agency period after making a big splash in last month's draft. They came away with three quality players in Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, and Draymond Green. There are only three more roster spots open, one of them likely reserved for a re-signed Brandon Rush.

Current Roster
PG: Curry / Jenkins
SG: Thompson
SF: Barnes / Wright / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

If Rush returns as the backup SG as planned, the biggest need becomes backup PG or combo guard that can run the offense. If Jenkins shows big improvement in his ability to run a team in Summer League, the Warriors may throw most of their remaining resources at a veteran backup PF/C. If not, they may invest most of their Mid-Level Exception ($5M) in a veteran PG. The later would also be true if the young fowards and centers show extreme promise in Summer League as well. Hopefully, this is the case so that the Warriors can just focus on signing the best available asset in their price range, regardless of position.

Here are a list of free agents who are attainable given the Warriors' desire to stay under the Luxury Tax:

Point Guard / Shooting Guard Rankings

1. Ben Uzoh : 5.59 ppr (pure point rating)
2. Jerryd Bayless * : 3.53 ppr
3. Kirk Hinrich * : 2.35 ppr
4. Marco Belinelli : -0.12 ppr
5. Patrick Mills : -0.10 ppr
6. Alexey Shved : 1.75 ppr
7. Nate Robinson : 6.50 ppr
8. Sundiata Gaines: 3.93 ppr
9. Armon Johnson : -20.00 ppr (small sample size)
10. Ishmael Smith: 5.33 ppr

Power Forward / Center Rankings

1. J.J. Hickson * : 20.2 PER
2. Jordan Hill * : 19.3 PER, 15.1 rp40
3. Dominic McGuire : 1.47 ppr
4. Darrel Arthur : 15.7 PER
5. Boris Diaw : 12.1 PER, 0.75 ppr
6. Chris Wright: 18.7 PER, 9.7 rp40, 2.8 bp40

* salary at or above $4M

Potential Roster
PG: Curry / Jenkins / Uzoh
SG: Thompson / Rush
SF: Barnes / Wright / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Hickson / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

Ben Uzoh gives the Warriors another backup PG, but more importantly, he is a great compliment to Curry and Jenkins. His length, fearlessness attacking the rim, and ability to defend and rebound make him a valuable player. He's strong enough to slide over to the SG spot as well. He is only 24 years old, so there is still a little upside to his game. If he can improve on his jumpshot, sky's the limit.

Hickson is still a raw big man at 23 years old, but he has shown many times why he can become a future starter in the NBA. He'll be Lee's primary backup, but also has the experience and size to help Bogut at center. Hickson is a terrific rebounder and adept shot blocker. If coached to play to his strengths and to play within himself, he can be a special player.

WARRIOR FREE AGENT EFFECT

The lackluster track record on former Warrior free agents going to other teams will likely help us get a good price on Brandon Rush (RFA) and Dominic McGuire.

Teams have gotten burned on lower tier free agents like Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow, Reggie Williams, C.J. Watson, Anthony Toliver, etc. Word is out that it's the Warriors' system that makes mediocre players look very good and that paying them based on what they did at Golden State could be a bad investment.

Rush and McGuire haven't established themselves in the league prior to coming here, so I could see GM's reluctant to bet that they would continue or improve on their career years at Golden State. At to the casual observer who has not followed the Warriors closely, their statistics don't seem to warrant big money. The Warriors are doing the right thing by playing it cool while other teams throw crazy money at more highly regarded free agents.

These seem like reasonable deals:
Rush for $3.5M (made $3.0M last season)
McGuire for $1.9M (made $0.9M last season)
Uzoh for $0.7M (made $0.2M last season)

Luxury tax avoided.

PG: Curry / Uzoh / Jenkins
SG: Thompson / Rush / Wright
SF: Barnes / McGuire / Jefferson
PF: Lee / Green / Tyler
C: Bogut / Ezeli / Biedrins

Wright at SG might seem like a stretch, but he's shown that he can guard that position. This roster looks very good and even our 3rd team could hold their own against some opposing 2nd teams.

2012 SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER & SCHEDULE

Guards
20 Kent Bazemore G/F 6-5 195 7/1/89 Old Dominion
18 Justin Hurtt G 6-5 205 10/3/88 Tulsa
22 Charles Jenkins G 6-3 220 2/28/89 Hofstra
21 Joe Ragland G 6-0 185 11/11/89 Wichita State
7 Frank Robinson G 6-4 220 6/1/84 Cal State Fullerton
6 Garrett Sim G 6-2 185 7/10/90 Oregon
32 Dar Tucker G 6-4 205 4/11/88 DePaul
9 Maalik Wayns G 6-2 200 5/2/91 Villanova
19 Andre Young G 5-9 170 3/16/90 Clemson
11 Klay Thompson G/F 6-7 220 2/8/90 Washington State

Forwards
40 Harrison Barnes F 6-8 210 5/30/92 North Carolina
25 Justin Burrell F 6-8 244 4/18/88 St. John's
23 Draymond Green F 6-7 230 3/4/90 Michigan State
52 Dallas Lauderdale F 6-8 260 9/11/88 Ohio State
35 Wendell McKines F 6-6 230 8/18/88 New Mexico State
50 Rakim Sanders F 6-5 228 7/8/89 Fairfield
45 Andre Smith F 6-8 242 2/21/85 North Dakota State
34 Kyle Weems F 6-6 226 8/23/89 Missouri State
33 Chris Wright F 6-8 226 9/30/88 Dayton

Centers
31 Festus Ezeli C 6-11 255 10/21/89 Vanderbilt
3 Jeremy Tyler F/C 6-10 260 6/21/91 San Diego HS


Although Klay Thompson is likely not going to play due to his commitment to train with the USA Select Team, the Warriors will once again field a strong team going into Las Vegas. Players of note are:

PG: Charles Jenkins / Maalik Wayns
SG: Kent Bazemore
SF: Harrison Barnes / Wendell McKines / Rakim Sanders
PF: Draymond Green / Chris Wright / Kyle Weems
C: Jeremy Tyler / Festus Ezeli

Rakim Sanders
PER: 23.25


Positives: strong, athletic wing; excellent rebounder for size; excellent defender can guard multiple positions
Negatives: old for class; lasks a great perimeter game

Maalik Wayns
PER: 21.02


Positives: quick, athletic point guard; good court vision; crafty guard knows how to get to rim
Negatives: can be a bit turnover prone; needs to improve his jumpshot; plays below the rim

Wendell McKines
PER: 25.4


Positives: athletic, quick; great motor; ferocious rebounder
Negatives: undersized, needs to improve jumpshot

Kyle Weems
PER: 20.7 (27.8 last season)


Positives: strong frame; great scoring SF/PF; good 3pt shooter; blocks shots and rebounds well; takes care of the ball
Negatives: average athlete; needs to improve ability to drive and score in the paint; average lateral quickness



2012 Summer League Schedule

Friday, July 13

L.A. Lakers

5:00 p.m.

Cox Pavilion

Saturday, July 14

Denver Nuggets

3:00 p.m.

Cox Pavilion

Wednesday, July 18

Miami Heat

7:30 p.m.

Thomas & Mack Center

Friday, July 20

Chicago Bulls

5:30 p.m.

Thomas & Mack Center

Saturday, July 21

New Orleans Hornets

3:30 p.m.

Thomas & Mack Center

PROJECTED FINANCIALS GOING INTO FREE AGENCY

Here is the latest estimated salary cap situation for the Warriors. Included are the three rookies with max rookie scale deals and Brandon Rush's Qualifying Offer. Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of these figures.

click for larger image

The Warriors are dangerously close to the Luxury Tax if it remains at $70.3M. If Rush is signed for the Qualifying Offer, then they will only have $4.9M to spend before hitting the threshold. A backup PG is one of the top priorities and so is bringing back the versatile, defensive specialist, Dominic McGuire.

I have a feeling Lacob will not limit his team to the $4.9M allowance and will do what it takes to bring in the right talent. If Rush returns, which is almost a given, there are only 2 roster spots left. McGuire will probably be one of them and the last roster spot could belong to the backup PG or a veteran big man. However, if the Warriors could swing a trade sending out Wright and getting back future picks, that would steer them clear of the luxury tax and allow them more flexibility to shape the roster.

2012 MOCK DRAFT 3.1

1. Hornets - Anthony Davis
2. Bobcats  -  Thomas Robinson
3. Wizards  -  Bradley Beal
4. Cavaliers  -  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. Kings  - Andre Drummond
6. Trail Blazers  - Damian Lillard
7. Warriors -  Dion Waiters
8. Raptors -  Harrison Barnes
9. Pistons - John Henson
10. Hornets - Austin Rivers
11. Trail Blazers - Meyers Leonard
12. Rockets - Tyler Zeller
13. Suns - Jeremy Lamb
14. Bucks - Terrence Jones
15. 76ers - Arnett Moultrie
16. Rockets - Terrence Ross
17. Mavericks - Kendall Marshall
18. Rockets - Royce White
19. Magic - Perry Jones
20. Nuggets - Andrew Nicholson
21. Celtics - Moe Harkless
22. Celtics - Jared Sullinger
23. Hawks - Fab Melo
24. Cavaliers - Draymond Green
25. Grizzlies - Evan Fournier
26. Pacers - Marquis Teague
27. Heat - Jeff Taylor
28. Thunder - Will Barton
29. Bulls - Tony Wroten Jr.
30. Warriors - Quincy Miller
31. Bobcats - Doron Lamb
32. Wizards - Festus Ezeli
33. Cavaliers - Kostas Papanikolaou
34. Cavaliers - John Jenkins
35. Warriors - Kyle O'Quinn

This is the general order I think the players will be drafted, but I expect a good amount of movement. Hopefully, MKG will end up in a Warriors uniform when it's all said and done.

2012 MOCK DRAFT 2.0

1. Hornets - Anthony Davis
2. Bobcats  -  Thomas Robinson
3. Wizards  -  Bradley Beal
4. Cavaliers  -  Harrison Barnes
5. Kings  -  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
6. Trail Blazers  - Andre Drummond
7. Warriors - Terrence Jones 
8. Raptors - Dion Waiters
9. Pistons - John Henson
10. Hornets - Austin Rivers
11. Trail Blazers - Damian Lillard
12. Bucks - Meyers Leonard
13. Suns - Jeremy Lamb
14. Rockets - Tyler Zeller
15. 76ers - Jared Sullinger
16. Rockets - Perry Jones
17. Mavericks - Kendall Marshall
18. Timberwolves - Terrence Ross
19. Magic - Arnett Moultrie
20. Nuggets - Andrew Nicholson
21. Celtics - Moe Harkless
22. Celtics - Royce White
23. Hawks - Fab Melo
24. Cavaliers - Quincy Miller
25. Grizzlies - Evan Fournier
26. Pacers - Marquis Teague
27. Heat - Draymond Green
28. Thunder - Jeff Taylor
29. Bulls - Will Barton
30. Warriors - Tony Wroten Jr.
31. Bobcats - Doron Lamb
32. Wizards - Festus Ezeli
33. Cavaliers - John Jenkins
34. Cavaliers - Kyle O'Quinn
35. Warriors - Kostas Papanikolaou

WARRIORS WORKS BIG BOARD 1.0

This list ranks draft prospects based on order of value to the Warriors in terms of immediate need and projected value within 3 or more years. When healthy, the Warriors aren't too far away from having a roster that could go deep into the playoffs. They have four staring positions set: Curry at PG, Thompson at SG, Lee at PF, and Bogut at C. There are a number of capable SF starters like Rush, McGuire, Jefferson, and Wright. As a rule of thumb, draft Best Available Player (projected 3 years out) and worry about rotations later. The important thing is to draft the best asset and not draft for need.

Once you get past Davis, there's a fantastic group of 3 players in MKG, Robinson, and Beal. After that, all hell breaks loose.

1. Anthony Davis: no brainer franchise guy
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: perfect fit for the current roster; shut down defender with a passion to win, an incredible work ethic, leadership skills, and the physical tools to succeed
3. Thomas Robinson: proto PF who will rebound and defend; nice motor; rapid improvement 
4. Bradley Beal: much hyped coming out of high school; came on strong towards the end of season
5. Terrence Jones: big and physical enough to play PF; skilled enough to play some SF
6. Dion Waiters: powerful combo guard with game similar to D. Wade; very good defensive potential
7. Harrison Barnes: good scoring SF with face-up defense; athletic but doesn't seem to translate
8. Myers Leonard: 7'-1" athletic big with a lot of upside; raw on offense but excellent finisher; has mid-range game
9. Andre Drummond: major upside; project 2-3 years away; could contribute on defense right away; horrible free throw shooter
10. Perry Jones: top-3 talent with motor issues and the tweener label; shies away from contact
11. Jeremy Lamb: offensive-mind guard with excellent size
12. Moe Harkless: young, SF with great size and upside; must improve shooting to become complete
13. Royce White: top-10 talent with anxiety issues; does everything well except shoot and get on planes; point forward ideal role
14. Damian Lillard: top PG in the draft; questions vs. better competition; light's out shooter
15. Tyler Zeller: NBA ready big man with limited upside; underrated shooter; great character guy
16. John Henson: one of top defenders in draft; rail thin; can he stay healthy vs. NBA bigs?
17. Quincy Miller: prep superstar trying to return from devastating ACL injury; great at #30
18. Jared Sullinger: one of NCAA's best bigs, but medical red-flag a stock killer

WARRIORS SUMMER-LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Once again,  NBA Summer League will be held in Las Vegas with a record 24 teams competing in 60 games from July 13-22 at the Thomas & Mac Center and COX Pavilion on the campus of UNLV.

July 13 — vs. Los Angeles Lakers

July 14 — vs. Denver Nuggets

July 16 — (scrimmage) vs. Phoenix Suns

July 18 — vs. Miami Heat

July 20 — vs. Chicago Bulls

July 21 — vs. New Orleans Hornets

Warriors expect to have Charles Jenkins and Jeremy Tyler participating. Klay Thompson will be training against Team USA, so his participation isn't mandatory. Considering his heavy usage down the stretch, it's probably best to have him bypass summer-league play.

With four picks in hand (7, 30, 35, and 52) the Warriors expect to bring in at least a couple of Rookies. I hope to see Chris Wright as well. He played with a high motor and added excitement to the team. If he can improve his shooting, he might have a shot at a roster spot in 2012-13.

As of now, the roster of players under contract looks like this:

PG: Curry / Jenkins

SG: Thompson

SF: Wright / Jefferson

PF: Lee / Tyler

C: Bogut / Biedrins

Brandon Rush is a Restricted Free Agent and is expected to be re-signed. Dominic McGuire is coveted for his defense and versatility, so expect the Warriors to make room for him as well.

PRIVATE WORKOUT LIST

Jun 17

Damian Lillard - PG, 6-3, 189, 07/18/90, Weber State

Tomas Satoransky - PG/SG, 6-7, 201, 10/30/91, International

Olek Czyz - -SF/PF, 6-8, 237, 03/03/90, Nevada

Dominique Ferguson - PF, 6-8, 209, Florida International

Kyle Fogg - SG, 6-3, 183, 01/27/90, Arizona

Keith Wright - PF, 6-8, 240, 07/22/89, Harvard

Wendell McKines - SF, 6-6, 240, 08/18/88, New Mexico State

Jun 14

Jared Sullinger - PF, 6-9, 268, 03/04/92, Ohio State

John Henson - PF, 6-10.5, 216, 12/28/90, North Carolina

Marquis Teague - PG, 6-2, 180, 02/28/93, Kentucky

Michael Eric - F/C, 6-11, 240, Temple

Bernard James - C, 6-10, 230, 02/07/85, Florida State

Andre Young - PG, 5-9, 170, 03/16/90, Clemson

Jun 11

Terrence Jones - PF/SF, 6-9, 252, 01/09/92, Kentucky

Perry Jones III - SF/PF, 6-11, 234, 09/24/91, Baylor

Tyler Zeller - C, 7-0.5, 247, 01/17/90, North Carolina

Festes Ezeli - C, 6-11.5, 264, 10/21/89, Vanderbilt

Patrick Richard - SG, 6-4, 208, 01/25/90, McNeese State

Jet Chang - SG, 6-4, 195, BYU Hawaii

Jun 2
Will Barton - SG/SF, 6-6, 175, 01/06/91, Memphis
Kent Bazemore - SF, 6-5, 195, 07/01/89, Old Dominion
Bradford Burgess - SG/SF, 6-6, 225, 04/29/90, Virginia Commonwealth
Tony Mitchell - SF, 6-6, 185, 08/07/89, Alabama
Rakim Sanders - SF/PF, 6-5, 225, 07/08/89, Fairfield
Hollis Thompson - SF, 6-8, 205, 04/03/91, Georgetown

May 28
Scott Machado - PG, 6-1, 180, 06/08/90, Iona
Draymond Green - PF/SF, 6-7, 230, 03/04/90, Michigan
Tu Holloway - PG, 6-0, 190, 08/21/89, Xavier
Kevin Jones - PF, 6-8, 260, 08/25/89, West Virginia
Wendell McKines - SF, 6-6, 230, 08/18/88, New Mexico State
Josh Owens - PF, 6-8, 240, Stanford

Anthony Jones - PF, 6-10, 195, 04/03/89, Baylor
Kris Joseph - SF, 6-7, 210, 12/17/88, Syracuse
Khris Middleton - SF, 6-7, 217, 08/12/91, Texas A&M
Jeffrey Taylor - SF, 6-7, 225, 05/23/89, Vanderbilt
Maalik Wayns - PG, 6-2, 200, 05/02/91, Villanova
Tony Wroten - PG/SG, 6-5, 205, 04/14/93, Washington

May 26
Tyshawn Taylor - PG, 6-3, 185, 04/12/90, Kansas
Yancy Gates - PF, 6-9, 260, 10/15/89, Cincinnati
Justin Hamilton - C, 7-0, 260 04/01/90, LSU
Renardo Sidney - PF, 6-10, 280, 12/06/89, Mississippi State
Garrett Sim - PG, 6-2, 185, 07/10/90, Oregon
Greg Somogyi - C, 7-3, 242, 10/1/89, UC Santa Barbara

May 23
Drew Gordon - PF, 6-9, 241, 07/12/90, New Mexico
Jordan Taylor - PG, 6-1, 195, 09/30/89, Wisconsin
Quincy Acy - PF, 6-7, 225, 10/06/90, Baylor
Casper Ware - PG, 5-10, 170, 01/17/90, Long Beach State
Michell Watt - PF, 6-10, 225, 12/14/89, Buffalo
Kyle O'Quinn - PF/C, 6-10, 240, 03/26/90, Norfolk State

May 22
Orlando Johnson - SG, 6-5, 205, 03/11/89, UC Santa Barbara
Micheal Eric - C, 6-11, 240, Temple
Ronnie Moss - PG, 6-2, 195, 09/11/88, Texas Wesleyan
Joe Ragland - PG, 6-0, 185, 11/11/89, Wichita State
Robert Sacre - C, 7-0, 247, 06/06/89, Gonzaga
Alex Young - SF, 6-6, 200, 10/17/89, IUPUI

May 21
Jared Cunningham - SG, 6-4, 194, 05/22/91, Oregon State
Jorge Gutierrez - PG/SG , 6-3, 195, 12/27/88, California
Chris Cooper - PF, 6-9, 230, 01/17/90, Old Dominion
Mindaugas Kupsas - C, 7-0, 250, 04/09/91, Lithuania
Kyle Weems - SF/PF, 6-6, 226, 08/23/89, Missouri State
Olek Czyz - SF/PF, 6-7, 240, 03/03/90, Nevada

2012 MOCK DRAFT 1.0

On the bubble: Will Barton, Quincy Miller, Doron Lamb, Scott Machado, Kyle O'Quinn, Jared Cunningham

#7 Pick: Terrence Jones

With the starting PG, SG, PF, and C positions set, the Warriors need to either upgrade the SF position from Jefferson and Wright, to someone that better compliments the other 4 starters - someone who doesn't need the ball in his hands, is able to defend the perimeter, can rebound, can block shots, and is a capable passer. The Warriors basically need a guy that can do it all, with scoring as a low priority.

With MKG off the board, the likely remaining candidates at SF are Terrence Jones, Perry Jones, Royce White, and Moe Harkless. Is someone from that group 'BAP?' In a deep draft like this with no player free of any flaws or redflags, it's safe to say that BAP is in the eye of the beholder. When it's close, 'need' is the tiebreaker.

Although Terrence Jones is physically more PF than SF, the former PG has some of the skills and abilities to play at SF. He's an underrated passer with good shooting range and ball skills for his size. Jones' versatility will allow him to be a mismatch at both ends of the floor. He'll have to lose weight to gain quickness, but he's shown at Kentucky that he's capable of using his strength and length to change shots in the paint and on the wing. I expect the quicker SFs will be able to drive by, so coaches will have to draw match-ups accordingly, making sure that a rim protector like Bogut is there to clean up.

Terrence Jones adds toughness and helps at two positions. It's likely that Coach Mark Jackson and the competition will inspire him to play at a more consistently higher level than he did in Kentucky. When focused, Jones could be the best player on the floor.

MOE RISING

If Warriors don't think the Joneses can play SF, Moe Harkless could shoot up their draft board in a hurry.


I thought he'd be a great fit for the Warriors because of his prototype size and great production on both ends against good comp. Hadn't seen him play (other than highlights), so couldn't say for sure if he would be a guy worthy at #7. But after seeing him in the combine, hitting shots (his "weakness"), moving well, defending, and being able to compare him to the other small forward prospects...he really stands out.

I wouldn't be surpised if he moves up in all the mocks out there. If the talent is close among those available at #7, why not take the guy that checks all the boxes and still has tremendous upside because he's so young and moldable. I could see him developing into an impact starter with a low risk factor.


Game Log
Draft Express Profile
ESPN Draft Profile
nbadraft.net Profile

2012 REDRAFT

It's always interesting to look back on the draft and re-mock it after the season is done. There are some surprises (I. Thomas, C. Parsons) and a few disappointments (J. Fredette, Marcus Morris). This draft class was considered below average going into the offseason, but it turns out that there could be a star or two that end up coming out of it. There are a lot more quality players than expected and many that will have long, productive careers.

1. Cleveland - Kyrie Irving : No-brainer for this pick. Irving was clearly the best of his draft class and has shown that he could be a Chris Paul type of player for the Cavs. I can't wait to see him with more weapons to run with.
2. Minnesota - Jonas Valanciunas : He's dominating overseas at such a young age. He'd make for a great compliment to Kevin Love because of his mobility, length, post skills, and shot blocking ability.
3. Utah -  Enes Kanter : I still love the upside of Kanter. Once Jazz trade Big Al, I expect Kanter's game to flourish. He's a beast on the boards, possesses nifty post moves, and is strong as an ox.
4. Cleveland - Kawhi Leonard : He's one of my favorite players because he could do it all. Leonard is the kind of glue guy every team needs and he'll win you lots of games. I underestimated his scoring ability prior to the draft and see that he is capable of scoring in a variety of ways against NBA talent.
5. Toronto - Klay Thompson : The best shooter in the draft is surprisingly adequate on the defensive end. He still needs to work on his rebounding and finishing, but he could end up being a very special player. Thompson plays with incredible poise and intelligence - advanced in playing without the ball and cool in the clutch.
6. Washington - Kenneth Faried : Relentless, hard working, and his energy is contagious. He needs to refine his scoring abilities, but he does more than enough to warrant a high draft pick.
7. Sacramento - Brandon Knight : Knight has the most upside of the PG's remaining on the board. I like him and he started to come on strong towards the end of this season. King's biggest need is a PG, and he would be a good one.
8. Detroit - Bismack Biyombo : A terrific compliment to Greg Monroe. Biyomobo has All-Defensive Team in his future and could provide lots of interior help for the Pistons.
9. Charlotte - Tobias Harris : Don't sleep on Harris. He's still under-the-radar but from what I've seen, this kid has got a bright future. I'm tempted to put him even higher, but the others above him are more established and he's not particularly strong on defense. If Bucks shuffle the roster to give Harris a more prominent role, he'll flourish.
10. Milwaukee - Derrick Williams : He's a tweener, but he's shown some good overall skills at times. He was drafted too high, but at No. 10, this would be a good spot. Williams won't be a star, but he'll pull out the occasional great game to help his team win.
11. Golden State - Donatas Motiejunas : Montiejunas is 21 years old, 7 feet tall, mobile, and can shoot. Scouts questioned his toughness, but he's answered by becoming the top rebounder in the Euroleague. I love his upside and he has a chance to be a very good big man someday because of his skill-set and athleticism for his size.
12. Utah - Isaiah Thomas : He was the biggest surprise of the draft, but I'm not sure if he could be a long term answer to a team needing a starting PG. Regardless, his skills and speed make him a valuable piece on any roster.
13. Phoenix - Tristan Thompson : He's a good rebounder, but needs to work on his scoring efficiency. I like his length and he give good effort on the defensive end. He'd make for a good compliment to Gortat.
14. Houston - Chandler Parsons : His ability to play both ends makes him a valuable find. He's a legit 3-point threat, a very good defender, and plays with intelligence and maturity. Parsons' versatility is a big plus.
15. Indiana - Jan Vesely : He's a wild one, but he's already a factor on the defensive end. His combination of athleticism and length make him a good bet to be a solid contributor either as a starter or top role player. Vesely needs to improve his shot so he can man both forward positions.
16. Philadelphia - Kemba Walker : He's a tough as nails, shoot first PG with a big heart. His motor never stops.
17. New York - Nikola Vucevic : Solid young center with good post play and feel for the game.
18. Washington - Marshon Brooks : He's a terrific scorer with an eerily similar game to Kobe minus the intangibles and defensive intensity.
19. Charlotte - Alec Burks : He's a proto SG who has the potential to develop into a very good scorer and well rounded starter. Bobcats sorely need that go-to guy and Burks might be able to develop into that player.
20. Minnesota - Chris Singleton : Lockdown defender with 3 point range. He's the next Bruce Bowen...and important role player / borderline starter for a good team. TWolves need that lockdown defender.
21. Portland - Iman Shumpert : Excellent size and athleticism at the point, Portland's greatest position of need. He's more of a combo guard, but he's shown he's been able to run a team. Shumpert contributes in many ways important for a team's success.
22. Denver - Charles Jenkins : This score first PG has shown good progress in evolving into a true PG. His toughness and size will make for a good compliment to Lawson.
23. Houston - Jeremy Tyler : He's a project, and he's coming along nicely making good strides in scoring in the paint and rebounding the ball. Tyler will need continue to work on the mental side - understanding defensive rotations, knowing when to pass, and improving his shot selection.
24. Oklahoma City - Markieff Morris : He's has the mentality of a combo forward. He scored easily in college, but has struggled with his shooting in the pros. Morris has had some good games, however, and could be a good fit playing between Durant and Ibaka as a supplemental scoring option. 
25. Boston - Jordan Williams : Big body who rebounds very well. Williams is an efficient scorer, but not a big factor on defense.
26. Dallas - Jimmer Fredette : He's had a dissappointing year following high expectations, but if he can regain his confidence and add strength, he can have a career similar to J.J. Reddick's.
27. New Jersey - Jordan Hamilton : One of the better shooters coming out of college - great size for a SG and has the skills to develop into a solid pro. He rebounds well for his position, but needs to play with more effort on defense.
28. Chicago - Jon Leuer : Big man with range. Bulls need one and Leuer has shown he can adequately fill that need.
29. San Antonio - Kyle Singler : He's an underrated SF/PF and has played well with Madrid.
30. Chicago - Malcolm Lee : Defensive-minded PG with good size and upside. He'll provide additional insurance for Rose's injury concerns.

WARRIORS WIN TIEBREAK TO CLAIM #7 SPOT IN LOTTERY

YES! YES! YES!

The Warriors are still not out of the woods yet, but their odds of being able to retain their 2012 draft pick just increase considerably today. By winning the tiebreak with the Raptors, they now have a 72.5% chance to keep the pick. The only we they lose it is if a team leapfrogs them in the lottery and pushes them down to #8 or worse. The Cavaliers were the last team with a #8 position or worse to leapfrog into the top 3. They ended up taking Kyrie Irving #1 overall.

Today is a good day.

Related Articles
Warriors.com: Warriors Involved In Four Tie-Breakers For Draft Pick Positions
Marcus Thompson: Warriors Win Tie-Breaker; Chance of Keeping Draft Pick Better than 70 percent
Matt Steinmetz: Warriors win drawing with Toronto

TANK STANDINGS - 04/24/12

All games go as predicted and Warriors still have a chance to tie for #7 with a loss vs. the Spurs on Thursday. The tie-breaker will be determined on Friday and the lottery preformed on May 30.

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LACOB: MY QUICK WISH LIST

It's a shame we're likely to lose the pick, but if you can somehow trade up to draft Kidd-Gilchrist, we should do it. The top-7 pick would have been a great asset to utilize in this scenario.

If we lose the pick, just let it go, unless your most trusted advisers are absolutely in love with a prospect. Since we have 3 late picks, it might be a good idea to just close the book on the Marcus Williams trade and try to find our starting SF (#1 Priority) via trade or free agency. Having a pick in 2013 just in case it develops into a decent class or if catastrophic injuries bring about a repeat of this year would be nice.

Resign McGuire and Rush. They provide the defensive toughness and energy that every good bench squad needs.

Find veteran insurance for Curry and Bogut.

Jenkins is shaping up to be a keeper, but we need a true PG to run the show to give Curry rest or to start in case of injury. Perhaps bringing Jason Kidd back to the bay could work. He'd be a good mentor and might like to retire where he started his basketball career.

I'm not as concerned about Bogut as I am of Curry, but Biedrins and Tyler probably aren't adequate backups for Bogut in their current state. Warriors need a great Big Man coach to maximize Tyler's potential. He has lots of tools, but plays undisciplined much of the time. Biedrins could be ok coming off the bench, especially playing with 4 offensively talented players on the court. A third big man (PF/C) that can match Bogut's lowpost strength/bulk would be good. Perhaps we could find that guy late in the draft.

Replicate the Suns Training Staff in Oakland so Curry, Bogut, and others can play lots of games with confidence and without nagging injuries.

Get one of those freeze chambers that the Mavs utilize for faster recovery.

Don't price out the loyal fans like the 49ers are doing. What makes Oracle the loudest place to play is because you have rabid, passionate fans all over the place, not corporate clients there for just an evening out. I'd like you to stay in Oakland or somewhere close to your current location, but if you move, Pier 30-32 would be a great spot to relocate because of it's proximity to BART and potential for Ferry service. 

Replace Bob Fitzgerald with Greg Papa. I can't stand listening to Fitz. Barnett is awesome.

Develop a mascot - something along these lines...

Finally (for now), LOSE THE NEXT TWO GAMES!!!!

I really appreciate your willingness to spend money to bring in talent (buying draft picks, controlling your own D-League team, taking on big contracts but with timely expirations, etc.) It really shows you care, and the die hard fans respect that. Keep up the good work and don't let your critics allow your passion for the Warriors to wane. YES! YES! YES!

TANK STANDINGS - 04/23/12 (PM EDITION)

Games went as expected so no help for the Warriors tank cause. All teams involved in the free-fall lost, leaving the Warriors stuck at #8 for the time being. If they lose out, they will be in a tie for #7 with the winner of the Raptors vs. Nets match-up.

If Cavaliers foolishly win both of their remaining games, the Warriors could end up in a 3-way tie for #6. Their game vs. the Wizards should be a win. However, even if the Bulls rest all their key players, the Cavaliers would still have a tough time winning.

There's no way in Hell the Kings will beat Thunder AND Lakers to close out the season.

TANK STANDINGS - 04/23/12 (AM EDITION)

With the Warriors win last night, the tank is now on life support. So close, but Warriors always seem to screw it up in the end. Marcus Thompson does an excellent job summarizing the possible scenarios here. I'm depressed.

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TANK STANDINGS - 04/21/12

Games go as expected tonight with Warriors moving into a tie with Raptors and the Nets dropping to sole possession of #6. Warriors should lose tomorrow playing short-handed for their 3rd game of a back-to-back-to-back. If they do, they should move into a tie with the Nets for that #6 slot.

Lots of tank relevant games tomorrow. Raptors could pull an upset over Pistons on the road. That could possibly give the Warriors a little insurance against tiebreak scenarios.

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TANK STANDINGS - 04/20/12

The Cavaliers won tonight and it is now very possible that the Warriors could end the season in a 3-way tie for #5. Hornets replace the Pistons on the chart. They have been playing well and if they win 2 more games, there could be a 4-way tie for #4. I think it's a long-shot for the Kings to win 2 out of their last 3 games. They'll probably end up at #3.

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