Game Preview #36: San Antonio Spurs At Oklahoma City Thunder
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 13, 2010 6:00 AM CST
in Game Previews
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In my mind, this is the dipstick game.
Welcome to Loud City - Thunder SBN site - good people, good times.
There are only two teams in the Western conference who have won at least 8 of their last 10 games. Guess which two?
 San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder Where: County Fairgrounds - OKC, OK When: January 13, 2010; 7:00 PM Spurs time Watch: FoxSW
How They Stack Up
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Matchups
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 Tony Parker The French Maid |
Point Guard I give Tony a slight advantage here. Westbrook is a really tough matchup for Tony and really gave us problems earlier in the year. Advantage: Spurs |
 Russell Westbrook The Swiss Miss |
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 Manu Ginobili "FANGIO!" |
Shooting Guard
Advantage: Spurs |
 THABO!!! Some Glue |
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 Richard Jefferson RATM |
Small Forward RJ actually matches up well with KD. Still have to give the edge to the Thunder Stick. Advantage: Thunder |
 Kevin Durant It's Your Boy Friend |
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 Tim Duncan "..." |
Power Forward These guys won't go head to head much, neither can cover the other. Advantage: Spurs |
Jeff Green Poe Tential |
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 DeJuan Blair "Lol!!!1!" |
Center Slight nod to the Stick on this one. Advantage: Thunder |
 Nenad Krstic Eh! |
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 George Hill. "Ian is the future." |
Bench & Role Players I have to go with our crew on this one. And, they better be good tonight because I expect that we'll lean heavily on the bench tonight. Advantage: Spurs |
 James Harden Shifty Lefty |
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 Gregg Popovich 4 rings |
CoachVery slightly. Advantage: Spurs |
 Scott Brooks Family Ties |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
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Other Factors
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Intangibles |
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All Hail the SEGABABA Advantage: Thunder |
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Mojo |
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We didn't desert an entire city. That's a lot of terrible mojo. Advantage: Spurs |
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Winner: |
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| Sad to say, but I do not like this one at all. |
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Keys To The Game
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Strength of ScheduleWe are crawling in on a SEGABABA. Not good. OKC beat the Knicks way more handily than we did on Sunday, and have another day off before heading to Dallas on Friday. Last Time They MetThe first time we met they dropped a 101-98 loss on us in SA. |
Where to Tune In
TVThis game will be aired on FoxSW OnlineAs always, NBA League Pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Most Spurs games will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. In fact, nobody can stop you from googling "atdhe". You can also shoot an email to dmenendez@gmail.com for more assistance. NBA League Pass audio is still free this year, so check it out. RadioIf you're in the San Antonio area and aren't near a TV, tune in to WOAI (1200 AM). |
128 comments
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Comments
IMO
It’s like take kobe and lebron out of the cavs and L.A. lineup and one will end up like the grizzlies and the other the nets.but thunder,take out durant and they’ll still be the future,but then with durant they’re the future L.A. and hate to say but their my 2nd fave team…not only that….it hurts me that they don’t give their big brother san antonio the W’s.
No excuses.
The Spurs should win this game. The best way to stop Durant is to turn him into a passer. He scores the ball a whole lot better than he passes it.
RJ should go at him, and make Durant play defense.
We are healthy, we have a little rhythm going.
No excuses
Apparently, Eva has a crazy foot fetish which has left poor Tony with Plantar Fasciitis. I cannot even begin to describe what’s going through my mind in thinking what she makes him do.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
eh, http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_Parker_has_plantar_fasciitis.html
::shaking head:::
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Jan 13, 2010 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
I hear this commercial on the radio here in the Austin market from this shoe store, and supposedly you can cure plantar fascitis just by buying their shoes. I’ll stop by and drop a dime for the TP.
Magical healing shoes = 2010 Championship.
Neither he nor Gob were prepared for the challenges of using cats to catch a seal.
OKC provides some difficult match ups for us – they are solid defensive team, better than us overall but their offense pales in comparison – tough match
It would be close even with our starters playing full time (I hope their not)
so if Timmy and TP are resting the game has to go to OKC but I hope I am wrong
Go Spurs Go!
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Jan 13, 2010 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
glad to see i was wrong
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
by Joe deLarios on Jan 14, 2010 8:34 AM CST up reply actions
You gonna be okay tonight? Do we need to call the paramedics for when your heart explodes because you don’t know which team to root for?
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
you’re funny.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
The bittersweet taste of last night’s game will be gone with a big W tonight, specially if we can do it using our depth.
Let’s see what Yawn, Haislip, Blair can do to let TD take some rest.
Let’s see more George Hill, damm, I’m starting to have a man crush with this guy.
Let’s see RJ….bring the energy tonight.
Let’s take care of these playoff wannabe’s punks and keep the nice seeding…
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:01 AM CST reply actions
I think this was part of the reason that Blair barely played last night; keep him fresh for this one. Same can be said for Ian.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
hey Pop, give us a game tomorrow where we can Yawn!
If you liked it then you should have put a 5th ring on it. Oh oh oh.
+1 – today even better!!…(unless you live somewhere in the Pacific Ocean)
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:13 AM CST up reply actions
haha, actually, I live near the Pacific Ocean
If you liked it then you should have put a 5th ring on it. Oh oh oh.
Ha!! thanks for making me look like a dumb ass, i deserve it. :)
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:43 AM CST up reply actions
Lets hope we don’t have to worry about being haunted
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
Ghosts are probably more afraid of Pop…
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 8:18 AM CST up reply actions
plus I know someone that may swat down one of those if it sneak up on him.
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:23 AM CST up reply actions
Thankfully, no Knick was violated.
LOL
If you liked it then you should have put a 5th ring on it. Oh oh oh.
nice reading on that link, wonder what happens when Kobe checks in….
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:34 AM CST up reply actions
Kobe’s just hoping no more skeletons pop out of the closet.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 8:39 AM CST up reply actions
Speaking of haunted, who else noticed Shannon Brown going over & back while being harassed by a phantom defender?
by Manu ex Machina on Jan 13, 2010 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
we all know this will be a tough game for us. we do have plenty of depth though and i think we will see some more of blair, yawn, theo and possible even haislip tonite.
a win would certainly mean that we are moving in the right direction. this team is one of our skeletons.
Tonight’s game thread should be in a ghosts and goblins theme…
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 8:42 AM CST up reply actions
with halftime ghost fishes and goblin fishes
If you liked it then you should have put a 5th ring on it. Oh oh oh.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
It’s good that OKC is playing well. When struggling last season they seemed to change personalities when seeing the Spurs.
Of course all three losses to them are close so having our number is more about the last two minutes. Let’s just get off to a good start and let the bench and atheltic guys carry us to victory. How’s about a double-double Ian?
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Man, I totally jacked up this preview in the head to head section. Turrible.
We specialize in misinformation around here. Facts and stats just get in the way.
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Jan 13, 2010 8:45 AM CST reply actions
I’m convinced that Tim is actually a robot.
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
the big blogdamental
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, y’mean how neither Pop or Coach Brooks get a “white box”? Guess they’re tied, huh? Aww, man, this is gonna suck.
"...and programmed to save the day!"
by transgojobot on Jan 13, 2010 8:59 AM CST up reply actions
Seconded. I wouldn’t mind Parker getting 20 or less minutes tonight either.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
specially now that we know he has plantar fasciitis
by spursfan_needs_counseling on Jan 13, 2010 8:57 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, absolutely no more than 25 minutes, and the same for Parker.
by Manu ex Machina on Jan 13, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Haislip
Haislip, in his very limited minutes, has been most intriguing. Helluva body and his attitude seems to be right out of the Spurs playbook (tats excepted). I’d like to see Pop use him on D against Durant for a bit tonight. He has the height and hops to give him a tough time and since Durant doesn’t drive much, he could perhaps keep from fouling a lot. Just a thought.
Blazer fan here...
I was watching the Spurs/Laker game last night and what a great win for the Spurs. I’m always happy when any team blows out the Lakers, but I had a question—- Why does the crowd boo when Luke Walton makes a basket? I sense some sort of bad history there. Also— can your team please beat the OKC Thunder— gotta make sure my Blazers are still in the running for a playoff spot despite all these nasty injuries. Every loss in the NW division helps!! Go Spurs!!
I think they were saying "Luuuuuuke"
Unfortunately there are a lot of Lakers fans at Spurs’ home games and Lakers fans do that for Luke. Just like Spurs fans used to do it for “Bruuuuuuce” and any other fans do it for any player with a “U” in their name.
okay, makes sense....
kinda like when the rose garden yells “Ruuuudy”. There must have been alot of Laker fans there then. How irritating…there’s nothing worse than sitting near an obnoxious Laker fan.
Try a Mavs fan…
…and they usually bring out the most annoying spurs fans.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
I felt like the boo was more directed towards the Spurs defense but maybe I’m wrong on that.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 10:49 AM CST reply actions
damnt
@ jenstcy
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
I was wondering where the “Reply Fail” bug had gone. Now I know you caught it.
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
At least the worst of it was yesterday…
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
tlo will be so pleased. He had that virus for so long and simply couldn’t get anyone to take it from him.
Of course, that was months ago … but, still.
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
yeah, it’s been a couple of months since I’ve had the reply fail bug. Luckily, you gave me the prescription for it (preview button). I’ve been using the preview button ever since, well, lately I’ve gotten confident enough to not use it, so it may hit me once again, who knows. Anyways, oh you remember how sick i was jrw? I’m flattered.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 14, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
My wife’s favorite PtR story is the random “Achoo” that you used to drop in the comments; trying to get someone else to pick up the bug.
Consider the gun jumped
5 in 10
that’s pretty cool. I guess it worked and I gave it to someone else, but it was difficult to know to whom I passed it to. Almost makes me a feel like a dirty tramp, not knowing who I gave the bug to. Well… I can always find comfort in knowing who I got it from.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 15, 2010 1:24 AM CST up reply actions
oh, shhh…. don’t tell your wife!
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 15, 2010 1:24 AM CST up reply actions
If the Big Three are rested for this game, there is a silver lining—we’ll get to see what our (relatively) young guys can do against their (really) young guys. Regardless of the result, it will be valuable information. . . .
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
Regardless of the outcome in this game the Spurs are hitting a good stride. They are improving every game. I don’t know what SEGABABA means. I’m thinking it’s back to back but I just don’t get it.
Will someone fill me in?
If we only had a Lexicon.
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
Yeah, I also couldn’t figure out what it meant, but knew it had to do with back-to-backs. Is there an acronym for the 1st game of a B2B? I know I’ve seen a similar acronym, but I’m still mostly an occasional lurker.
by Manu ex Machina on Jan 13, 2010 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
I am going to have to miss the first half of the game. Fnar.
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
So sorry for you, Lauri. I’m going to miss the whole game, so I guess tonight’s thread won’t have the required amount of estrogen.
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
I need to find a place to watch the game so I can contribute. I really wish they would televise more games.
Don’t worry, I’ll take a bunch of birth control pills to make up for it.
"Under the tutelage....of Randy Tutelage"
by Hipuks on Jan 13, 2010 6:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Good preview Tim. The Thunder always seem to have our number (hmm… thunder number). Anyways, I’ll be happy with Tim, Tony and Manu getting limited to no minutes, and the bench/role players keeping it close throughout the whole game even if we lose. This team’s showing improvement. And even though the Lakers were undermanned yesterday, we showed progress, which is all that counts to me, and more importantly, Pop. Keep improving guys. Yes, I know some of you Spurs read PtR.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
You really think some of the spurs read PtR? … I think Pop shouldn’t be afraid to rest guys if they need it. However, I think Tony and Manu should have enough in their tank to play some decent minutes in the SEGABABA. Timmeh needs rest…old man.
I’d like to see Ian Mahinmi get some play time. I mean he earned it with his last game’s performance.
I love Pop. Best coach in the league and yes I’m biased.
No, I don’t think any Spurs read PtR, that was just my pathetic attempt in trying to justify myself in saying
Keep improving guys
as if they were actually reading what I wrote. Pretty much how Tom Hanks began making up Wilson’s responses in Cast Away. Thanks for making me
Anyways, I wouldn’t want Tony to play at all due to the injury he just revealed he had (This being a SEGABABA and all). As for Manu, he’s shown he’s the most brittle of our big 3 and that’s saying a lot. Sure it could just have been a bad stretch of a couple of years, but he’s so important to this team, I wouldn’t risk it. I’d give him 20-25 minutes today at most. So, if we’re going to rest Tim, and maybe Parker, why not rest Manu too, and make it like last year’s Denver game, luckily, the Zombie is already out.
All Pop needs to do is tell the media something like, “Parker has a 20 point second half and tells me he can destroy any team with his jumper. Manu believes he has the ability to telepathically create back spasms so I promised Presti I would sit him out of this game, and to top it all off, Duncan has a good game against Bynum and now believes he’s the best big man in the league, so they’re all sitting tonight. Oh yeah, we’re still waiting on the new ankle to ship from a Romanian Hostel for Finley so he’s gonna be out for a few more games too.”
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 4:50 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Bravo!
::slow clap::
Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way. - Jane Austen
Thanks for the preview—I’d like to see Blair be more like Blair tonight.
I get home before the second half, and after having some fake tea with the 2 year old, watching hopefully what will be a Spurs win, I’m going to check out the Hurt Locker. I’ve heard good things.
Neither he nor Gob were prepared for the challenges of using cats to catch a seal.
Blair needs to learn to finish stronger at the room when he is given easy bucket opportunities. Two handed and put it through the hoop.
Agreed. And not having him get stellar numbers in games the Spurs win is a good problem to have. I just hope to see a steady rise in development al la George Hill. It’s been a blast seeing that kid grow on the court.
Neither he nor Gob were prepared for the challenges of using cats to catch a seal.
I just need another big game from him. I still have a Blair pic two weeks in the waiting….
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Jan 13, 2010 4:40 PM CST up reply actions
in case anyone was wondering….
We are a combined 1-7 versus the Northwest division (OKC, Denver, Utah, Portland, and Minnesota) and 22-6 against the rest of the league.
Against the other divisions (losses):
Southwest: 3-2 (Dallas x2)
Atlantic: 3-2 (Boston and Toronto)
Central: 4-1 (Chicago)
Pacific: 6-1 (Phoenix)
Southeast: 4-0
just sayin’…..
SEGABABA against a young atlhetic and hungry team? The L column is getting bigger tonight :(
If I was Pop this would be a great game to rest the big 4.
"Rock and Roll angels bring that HardRock Hallelujah"
I would prefer it if Hill played.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:14 PM CST up reply actions
I think you’re right. That will make tonight a great chance for Pop to play with the much dreaded, and his current infatuation, small ball. It’s like the forbidden apple that Larry Brown instructed him not to eat, Pop doesn’t understand why he’s so drawn to it, perhaps it’s those two years under Don Nelson that Pop doesn’t remember, yet his feelings can’t seem to forget.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:43 PM CST up reply actions
Would I be banned if I asked if this is really a traditional Chinese dress?
Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
just because the dress is older than the person wearing it, doesn’t make it traditional. How old is that girl? Half of me says she’s really young and I shouldn’t be thinking these thoughts, and the other half can’t stop looking at her older half!
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
oh, and yes, most definitely banned.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
I just think it’s a nice-looking dress, and someone told me it was traditional. So I was amazed at the insular Chinese being pioneers. :)
Bone breaking? -340
Dunkin' Cheerleaders
haha, in the comments section of that photo, someone mentions how it’s not a traditional chinese dress, but i’m not sure that’s a legit source. I’m glad you asked it here. =]
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
::whispers::
quick, what’s the opposite of banned?
It looks like at the time the photo was taken, it was a contemporary dress.
When the tooth fairy's own tooth falls out, it is taken during the night by Princess Peanut.
by the little o on Jan 13, 2010 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
That’s Vietnamese design if you ask me. It looks more like the ao dai silhouette of Saigon (my uncle served in Vietnam as a surgeon and brought back costumed dolls for me).
It’s not exactly traditional in any case, although it does contain traditional elements.
I have flying monkeys at my disposal, and I'm not afraid to use them.
Spurs should win this game. Yeah its easy enough to say that. This is the 2010 Spurs and every game they should win… they lose. That said this team knows the Thunder are a good squad this year and already have the Spurs number. So maybe they’ll take this game seriously and win it.
Until recently it seemed to me that every game they should win they win, but every game they might win they lose.
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
by LasEspuelas on Jan 14, 2010 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
I expect Blair to get a lot of playing time. Timmy should rest.
just having fun...
by day_late_friend on Jan 13, 2010 6:55 PM CST reply actions
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