2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves season

2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachFlip Saunders
General managerKevin McHale
OwnersGlen Taylor
ArenaTarget Center
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Spurs 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
< 1999–00 2001–02 >

The 2000–01 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 12th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] After the tragic death of Malik Sealy, the Timberwolves scrambled to find a replacement for him, signing free agent Chauncey Billups,[2][3] a close friend of Kevin Garnett, and signing LaPhonso Ellis during the off-season.[4][5] Meanwhile, the Timberwolves secret free agent deal signed by Joe Smith was voided by the NBA, who ruled their proper procedure in signing the contract, while stripping their first round draft picks for the next five seasons and fined the team $3.5 million; Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, and General Manager Kevin McHale were both suspended for one year.[6][7][8][9] Smith would later on sign a free-agent deal with the Detroit Pistons.[10][11][12][13]

Despite the troubles, and losing four of their first six games, the Timberwolves won 13 of their next 18 games, posted an 11-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 32–18 record at the All-Star break.[14] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Felipe López, who was previously released by the Washington Wizards.[15] The Timberwolves finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record.[16]

Garnett averaged 22.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game.[17][18][19][20][21] In addition, second-year star Wally Szczerbiak averaged 14.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and won the MVP award in the Rookie-Sophomore Game during the All-Star Weekend,[22][23] while Terrell Brandon provided the team with 16.0 points, 7.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, Anthony Peeler contributed 10.5 points per game, Billups contributed 9.3 points and 3.4 assists per game, and Ellis provided with 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game off the bench.[24]

Garnett also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting with 1 first-place vote,[25] and finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[26] while Ellis finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[27]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the T-Wolves would lose in four games to the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs.[28][29][30][31] Following the season, Ellis signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat,[32][33][34] and Tom Hammonds retired.

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 2000 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 51 Igor Rakocevic PG/SG  Serbia

Roster

[edit]
2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
PG 5 Avery, William 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 197 lb (89 kg) 1979–08–08 Duke
SG 4 Billups, Chauncey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1976–09–25 Colorado
PG 7 Brandon, Terrell 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon
SG 11 Day, Todd 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1970–01–07 Arkansas
PF 3 Ellis, LaPhonso 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–05–05 Notre Dame
PF 21 Garnett, Kevin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy (IL)
C 22 Garrett, Dean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–11–27 Indiana
PF 20 Hammonds, Tom 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech
PG 13 López, Felipe 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1974–12–19 St. John's
SF 42 Mitchell, Sam 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–09–02 Mercer
C 8 Nesterović, Rasho 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1976–05–30 Slovenia
SG 44 Peeler, Anthony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1969–11–25 Missouri
PF 35 Slater, Reggie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1970–08–27 Wyoming
SF 10 Szczerbiak, Wally 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1977–03–05 Miami (OH)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 28, 2001

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-San Antonio Spurs 58 24 .707 – 33–8 25–16 19–5
x-Utah Jazz 53 29 .646 5 28–13 25–16 14–10
x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 5 28–13 25–16 14–10
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 47 35 .573 11 30–11 17–24 11–13
Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 13 24–17 21–20 11–13
Denver Nuggets 40 42 .488 18 29–12 11–30 13–11
Vancouver Grizzlies 23 59 .280 35 15–26 8–33 2–22
Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs 58 24 .707 –
2 y-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 2
3 x-Sacramento Kings 55 27 .671 3
4 x-Utah Jazz 53 29 .646 5
5 x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 5
6 x-Phoenix Suns 51 31 .622 7
7 x-Portland Trail Blazers 50 32 .610 8
8 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 47 35 .573 11
9 Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 13
10 Seattle SuperSonics 44 38 .537 14
11 Denver Nuggets 40 42 .488 18
12 Los Angeles Clippers 31 51 .378 27
13 Vancouver Grizzlies 23 59 .280 35
14 Golden State Warriors 17 65 .207 41
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
2000-01 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta — 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Boston 3–1 — 0–4 2–1 2–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1
Charlotte 4–0 4–0 — 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 1–2 2–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2
Chicago 2–2 1–2 1–3 — 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 2–1
Cleveland 2–2 1–2 2–2 3–1 — 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 3–0 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2
Dallas 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 — 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–0
Denver 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 — 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–3 4–0 1–1
Detroit 4–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 — 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 4–0 1–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–2
Golden State 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 — 1–3 2–0 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2
Houston 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 3–1 — 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Indiana 2–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 — 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–4 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 0–2 — 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 — 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0
Miami 3–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 — 1–2 1–1 3–1 2–3 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–0
Milwaukee 3–1 3–1 1–3 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–1 — 0–2 4–0 1–2 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 — 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1
New Jersey 3–1 0–4 0–4 2–2 0–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 — 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–2 1–1 3–1
New York 2–2 3–1 2–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–1 2–0 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 4–0
Orlando 3–1 3–1 1–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 3–1 1–3 — 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia 3–0 4–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 4–0
Phoenix 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 — 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 — 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 — 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 — 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0
Toronto 2–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–1 3–1 1–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 — 1–1 2–0 4–0
Utah 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 4–0 1–3 0–2 — 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 — 2–0
Washington 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

[edit]

Playoffs

[edit]
2001 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 21 @ San Antonio L 82–87 Kevin Garnett (25) Kevin Garnett (13) Terrell Brandon (8) Alamodome
33,983 		0–1
2 April 23 @ San Antonio L 69–86 Kevin Garnett (18) Kevin Garnett (12) six players tied (2) Alamodome
31,759 		0–2
3 April 28 San Antonio W 93–84 Kevin Garnett (22) Kevin Garnett (8) Terrell Brandon (9) Target Center
17,676 		1–2
4 April 30 San Antonio L 84–97 Wally Szczerbiak (20) Kevin Garnett (15) Terrell Brandon (6) Target Center
16,336 		1–3
2001 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]

Ragular season

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Wally Szczerbiak SF 82 82 2,856 447 260 59 33 1,145 34.8 5.5 3.2 .7 .4 14.0
LaPhonso Ellis PF 82 5 1,948 494 93 67 74 772 23.8 6.0 1.1 .8 .9 9.4
Sam Mitchell SF 82 4 983 123 57 26 10 285 12.0 1.5 .7 .3 .1 3.5
Kevin Garnett PF 81 81 3,202 921 401 111 145 1,784 39.5 11.4 5.0 1.4 1.8 22.0
Terrell Brandon PG 78 78 2,821 298 583 161 21 1,250 36.2 3.8 7.5 2.1 .3 16.0
Chauncey Billups SG 77 33 1,790 158 260 51 11 713 23.2 2.1 3.4 .7 .1 9.3
Anthony Peeler SG 75 41 2,126 192 192 91 18 791 28.3 2.6 2.6 1.2 .2 10.5
Rasho Nesterović C 73 39 1,233 286 45 25 63 328 16.9 3.9 .6 .3 .9 4.5
Dean Garrett C 70 21 831 217 24 26 49 177 11.9 3.1 .3 .4 .7 2.5
Reggie Slater PF 55 16 686 186 26 18 9 254 12.5 3.4 .5 .3 .2 4.6
William Avery PG 55 0 463 29 75 13 4 154 8.4 .5 1.4 .2 .1 2.8
Todd Day SG 31 0 345 37 28 10 7 132 11.1 1.2 .9 .3 .2 4.3
Felipe López† PG 23 10 457 74 34 21 12 170 19.9 3.2 1.5 .9 .5 7.4
Sam Jacobson PG 14 0 59 6 4 3 0 20 4.2 .4 .3 .2 .0 1.4
Tom Hammonds PF 7 0 30 4 1 0 0 7 4.3 .6 .1 .0 .0 1.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

Playoffs

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett PF 4 4 165 48 17 4 6 84 41.3 12.0 4.3 1.0 1.5 21.0
Terrell Brandon PG 4 4 153 17 25 4 2 61 38.3 4.3 6.3 1.0 .5 15.3
Wally Szczerbiak SF 4 4 143 18 10 5 3 56 35.8 4.5 2.5 1.3 .8 14.0
Anthony Peeler SG 4 4 137 14 7 7 1 34 34.3 3.5 1.8 1.8 .3 8.5
Rasho Nesterović C 4 2 49 12 3 1 3 10 12.3 3.0 .8 .3 .8 2.5
LaPhonso Ellis PF 4 0 77 14 0 1 3 24 19.3 3.5 .0 .3 .8 6.0
Felipe López PG 4 0 55 11 5 4 0 17 13.8 2.8 1.3 1.0 .0 4.3
Reggie Slater PF 4 0 52 14 0 2 3 13 13.0 3.5 .0 .5 .8 3.3
Sam Mitchell SF 4 0 50 7 3 1 0 6 12.5 1.8 .8 .3 .0 1.5
Dean Garrett C 3 2 41 9 0 1 1 13 13.7 3.0 .0 .3 .3 4.3
Chauncey Billups SG 3 0 26 5 2 0 0 3 8.7 1.7 .7 .0 .0 1.0
William Avery PG 2 0 12 1 2 0 1 7 6.0 .5 1.0 .0 .5 3.5

Awards and records

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Transactions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2000-01 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ "Timberwolves Sign Billups, Smith". Associated Press. August 28, 2000. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "NBA Capsule -- Minnesota Timberwolves". United Press International. October 29, 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  4. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 5, 2000. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; West Side Story, the Sequel". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  6. ^ McKinley Jr., James C. (October 26, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; Timberwolves Pay Dearly for Secret Contract". The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Sheridan, Chris (October 26, 2000). "NBA Fines Minnesota for Secret Deal". Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Wise, Mike (October 27, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; Timberwolves Might Face Additional Punishment". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Adande, J.A. (October 28, 2000). "Minnesota Feels Stern's Wrath". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Smith Saga Ends With Pistons Winning". ESPN. Associated Press. November 20, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Pistons Sign Joe Smith". CBS News. Associated Press. November 20, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Smith Is Signed and Sealed, and Pistons Look to Deliver". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 21, 2000. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  13. ^ "Joe Smith Ends Up Signing with Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 21, 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 2001". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Lopez Latches on with Minnesota". United Press International. February 28, 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  17. ^ Lewis, Brian (February 1, 2001). "Spree-Deemed; Latrell Granted All-Star Reprisal by NBA Commish". New York Post. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "West Expected to Flex Muscle in NBA All-Star Game Sunday". ESPN. Ticker. February 10, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "2001 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "2001 All-Star Weekend - at Washington: February 9-11". Eskimo North. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "2001 NBA All-Star Game: East 111, West 110". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  22. ^ Robbins, Liz (February 11, 2001). "BASKETBALL: ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK; Szczerbiak Schools Rookies". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "2001 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 121, Rookies 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  25. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 16, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; 76ers' Fans Called It: Iverson Is Most Valuable Player". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "Mutombo Voted Best Defensive Player for 4th Time". The Washington Post. April 24, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  27. ^ "2000-01 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  28. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFF ROUNDUP AND SCHEDULE; San Antonio Clinches". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 1, 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Spurs Handily Pass Their First Test". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 1, 2001. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  30. ^ "San Antonio 97, Minnesota 84". United Press International. April 30, 2001. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "2001 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Report: LaPhonso Ellis Headed for Miami". United Press International. July 27, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  33. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Ellis Moves Again, Signing with Heat". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 29, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  34. ^ "LaPhonso Ellis Inks 3-Year Deal with Heat". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 29, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024.

See also

[edit]
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