I think we're going to learn alot from Game One, and I can't wait.
I also think it's hilarious that anyone would believe that the Celtics are going to run away with this series. Or that the Lakers are a one-man show. You obviously haven't really been watching.
And so far, no one has talked about the respective journey's these two teams have had through the playoffs.
The Lakers were the #1 seed - in the western conference. In one of the most competitive races ever. The worst team in the western conference playoffs was better than most of the teams in the entire eastern conference. And the Lakers went 12-3 on that run.
Boston went 12-8 in east. And took 7 games to beat a team with a losing record.
Now granted - that alone in no way guarantees that the Lakers will dominate this series, because Boston definately improved as the playoffs went along, managing to 2 big wins against Detroit and winning every game they had to.
They have the best defense in the league and three incredible players and their props are well deserved.
And it all starts over right now anyway.
What I'm really anxious to see, is how their contrasting styles match-up. And if all of the anemic offense I saw at times throughout the Eastern conference games was actually due to stellar defense, or just . . . . bad offense . . . because some of those eastern conference games were like watching paint dry.
But again - different styles.
And of course, Ray Allen finally broke out of that slump . . . .
It's early in the week and there's alot more to think about but I do want to mention that the Lakers have a very big edge in terms of the coaching - and not just at the head coach position - but across the entire staff, and I do think that plays a factor in the finals.
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I think we're going to learn alot from Game One, and I can't wait.
I also think it's hilarious that anyone would believe that the Celtics are going to run away with this series. Or that the Lakers are a one-man show. You obviously haven't really been watching.
And so far, no one has talked about the respective journey's these two teams have had through the playoffs.
The Lakers were the #1 seed - in the western conference. In one of the most competitive races ever. The worst team in the western conference playoffs was better than most of the teams in the entire eastern conference. And the Lakers went 12-3 on that run.
Boston went 12-8 in east. And took 7 games to beat a team with a losing record.
Now granted - that alone in no way guarantees that the Lakers will dominate this series, because Boston definately improved as the playoffs went along, managing to 2 big wins against Detroit and winning every game they had to.
They have the best defense in the league and three incredible players and their props are well deserved.
And it all starts over right now anyway.
What I'm really anxious to see, is how their contrasting styles match-up. And if all of the anemic offense I saw at times throughout the Eastern conference games was actually due to stellar defense, or just . . . . bad offense . . . because some of those eastern conference games were like watching paint dry.
But again - different styles.
And of course, Ray Allen finally broke out of that slump . . . .
It's early in the week and there's alot more to think about but I do want to mention that the Lakers have a very big edge in terms of the coaching - and not just at the head coach position - but across the entire staff, and I do think that plays a factor in the finals.
agrytiger... i think you are making a mistake that most people are making... i don't know how closely you watched the NBA this year, but the dominance of the West over the East is gone now... particularly, the two elite teams in the East are as good as any team in the West... that "tough road" the Lakers had to go through?
Denver??? Really? this is tough? playing a team that refuses to play defense? this was a bye for the Lakers...
Utah... very physical, but this team as it is now could play for 100 years without aging a day and they would never win a championship, because they simply don't have the pieces... there will always be teams with true stars who will beat them... always!
Spurs... this team got too old too fast! this is not even close to the championship team that won last year... they spent the entire season trying to rest for the playoffs, but then were so out of shape for the stretch run...
how about Boston's road...
Atlanta... worst record of any team in the playoffs, but also considerably younger than any team in the playoffs... everyone is slamming Boston for needing 7 games here... yes, they probably over-looked them a bit... but mark my words... this Atlanta team is going to be a longterm resident of the Eastern Conf finals in years to come... this team is no joke! arguably the most raw talent of any team in the league...
Cleveland... Eastern Conference champs from last year... improved considerably... have the 2nd best player in the NBA... this team is no slouch either, and Lebron is extremely hungry... not easy to beat a team like that...
Detroit... a championship caliber team, playing great defense, with the 2nd best SU and ATS record in the NBA this year... hungry, disciplined, physical... this is a very good team...
don't make the mistake of thinking this is the same Finals as last year... it is night and day... Cleveland was a deadstick in the finals... that was an easy sweep call... Boston is a totally different team, playing a level of team defense that we haven't seen since Jordan was on the Bulls...
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agrytiger... i think you are making a mistake that most people are making... i don't know how closely you watched the NBA this year, but the dominance of the West over the East is gone now... particularly, the two elite teams in the East are as good as any team in the West... that "tough road" the Lakers had to go through?
Denver??? Really? this is tough? playing a team that refuses to play defense? this was a bye for the Lakers...
Utah... very physical, but this team as it is now could play for 100 years without aging a day and they would never win a championship, because they simply don't have the pieces... there will always be teams with true stars who will beat them... always!
Spurs... this team got too old too fast! this is not even close to the championship team that won last year... they spent the entire season trying to rest for the playoffs, but then were so out of shape for the stretch run...
how about Boston's road...
Atlanta... worst record of any team in the playoffs, but also considerably younger than any team in the playoffs... everyone is slamming Boston for needing 7 games here... yes, they probably over-looked them a bit... but mark my words... this Atlanta team is going to be a longterm resident of the Eastern Conf finals in years to come... this team is no joke! arguably the most raw talent of any team in the league...
Cleveland... Eastern Conference champs from last year... improved considerably... have the 2nd best player in the NBA... this team is no slouch either, and Lebron is extremely hungry... not easy to beat a team like that...
Detroit... a championship caliber team, playing great defense, with the 2nd best SU and ATS record in the NBA this year... hungry, disciplined, physical... this is a very good team...
don't make the mistake of thinking this is the same Finals as last year... it is night and day... Cleveland was a deadstick in the finals... that was an easy sweep call... Boston is a totally different team, playing a level of team defense that we haven't seen since Jordan was on the Bulls...
on another note... anyone know anything about Ray Allen's injury? i'm thinking it isn't a real issue, but i have had a strained achilles before and it's pretty painful...
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on another note... anyone know anything about Ray Allen's injury? i'm thinking it isn't a real issue, but i have had a strained achilles before and it's pretty painful...
with the way the lines are going (lotsa bettors on boston), Lakers might be the winner of game1, or at the very least cover Game1.
it would be very interesting to see this series reach game7.. it will be a win-win situation for everybody ( but not for vegas if the beets go against them)...
taking Lakers+2.5 on Game 1
the under looks very tempting too...
GLTA!
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with the way the lines are going (lotsa bettors on boston), Lakers might be the winner of game1, or at the very least cover Game1.
it would be very interesting to see this series reach game7.. it will be a win-win situation for everybody ( but not for vegas if the beets go against them)...
You're not going to convince me, given the dominance of the Western conference record-wise over the Eastern conference, that the Lakers had a coushy run through the playoffs compared to the Celtics.
That's just ridiculous.
All of these teams played each other. In the NBA. All season long.
And this was arguably, the most competitive Western conference race ever. And that is a known fact. LOOK at the books.
If you want to sit there and find things to pick apart about every team in the west, fine, you go ahead and have fun with that. Sure, you could do that all day.
The fact remains that the Lakers swept their first round opponent, which was, defense or no defense, a team that puts LOTS of points on the board, then took out a Jazz team with the BEST record at home in the NBA, and then they beat the defending champs in 5.
You want to tell me that if Cleveland doesn't make any changes to their roster that they will someday win the championship?
And yeah, the Spurs are older, yeah they're not the same team. I said myself that there were times when they didn't look "right" this year. But come on man. That was still a bad-ass basketball team that was every bit as good as the Detroit Pistons.
Again, you're just not going to convince me that the Lakers had a soft playoff run by belittling what they accomplished, which was running through what any sportswriter will tell you was the more dominant conference with only 3 losses on the way.
I just ain't buyin' it.
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GoG:
You're not going to convince me, given the dominance of the Western conference record-wise over the Eastern conference, that the Lakers had a coushy run through the playoffs compared to the Celtics.
That's just ridiculous.
All of these teams played each other. In the NBA. All season long.
And this was arguably, the most competitive Western conference race ever. And that is a known fact. LOOK at the books.
If you want to sit there and find things to pick apart about every team in the west, fine, you go ahead and have fun with that. Sure, you could do that all day.
The fact remains that the Lakers swept their first round opponent, which was, defense or no defense, a team that puts LOTS of points on the board, then took out a Jazz team with the BEST record at home in the NBA, and then they beat the defending champs in 5.
You want to tell me that if Cleveland doesn't make any changes to their roster that they will someday win the championship?
And yeah, the Spurs are older, yeah they're not the same team. I said myself that there were times when they didn't look "right" this year. But come on man. That was still a bad-ass basketball team that was every bit as good as the Detroit Pistons.
Again, you're just not going to convince me that the Lakers had a soft playoff run by belittling what they accomplished, which was running through what any sportswriter will tell you was the more dominant conference with only 3 losses on the way.
not sure if my picks are showing there, but the best bets are Lakers in 7 or Celtics in 6... should be a 3-2 series heading back to Boston, so if you have these two bets you should be in good shape one way or another...
biggest sucker bets are either team winning in 4 or 5 games... just give your money to me instead, please... Boston in 5 is a slim possibility, but seems too slim to bother... Lakers in 4 is the worst bet...
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NBA-EXACT SERIES OUTCOME
NBA-EXACT SERIES OUTCOME - Jun 05
6:05 PM
EXACT SERIES OUTCOME - LA LAKERS VS BOSTON
21491
LAKERS WINS 4 - 0
+600
21492
LAKERS WINS 4 - 1
+300
21493
LAKERS WINS 4 - 2
+260
21494
LAKERS WINS 4 - 3
+440
21495
CELTICS WINS 4 - 0
+1800
21496
CELTICS WINS 4 - 1
+900
21497
CELTICS WINS 4 - 2
+650
21498
CELTICS WINS 4 - 3
+420
not sure if my picks are showing there, but the best bets are Lakers in 7 or Celtics in 6... should be a 3-2 series heading back to Boston, so if you have these two bets you should be in good shape one way or another...
biggest sucker bets are either team winning in 4 or 5 games... just give your money to me instead, please... Boston in 5 is a slim possibility, but seems too slim to bother... Lakers in 4 is the worst bet...
angrytiger... actually i was going to mention that Cleveland is never going to win anything until they give Lebron help, too... but right now they are still a dangerous team, and more dangerous than some of the teams in the west...
also, the head to head dominance overall of the West over the East isn't reflected when you start looking at just the top teams... both Detroit and Boston in particular dominated their Western Conference opponents on the whole...
all i'm saing is, last year was a joke when comparing the West and the East... don't make the mistake of thinking nothing has changed...
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CP... i agree...
angrytiger... actually i was going to mention that Cleveland is never going to win anything until they give Lebron help, too... but right now they are still a dangerous team, and more dangerous than some of the teams in the west...
also, the head to head dominance overall of the West over the East isn't reflected when you start looking at just the top teams... both Detroit and Boston in particular dominated their Western Conference opponents on the whole...
all i'm saing is, last year was a joke when comparing the West and the East... don't make the mistake of thinking nothing has changed...
yea i'm not trying to belittle what the Lakers have done here either tiger... they are a great team... but others are suggesting that the Celtics had an easy run compared to the Lakers... that i do not buy... people who are in here suggesting this will be the most "lopsided finals in NBA history" or that this will be a Lakers sweep are way off base... i know, it's their money... but still, that is some clouded vision there...
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yea i'm not trying to belittle what the Lakers have done here either tiger... they are a great team... but others are suggesting that the Celtics had an easy run compared to the Lakers... that i do not buy... people who are in here suggesting this will be the most "lopsided finals in NBA history" or that this will be a Lakers sweep are way off base... i know, it's their money... but still, that is some clouded vision there...
well obviously they had a hard run to the finals, but I don't think they would have made it past the first or second round if they didn't have home court advantage.. they SHOULD have been able to take one in atlanta (like they did in the regular season twice). Same with cleveland, who they honestly should have rolled.
cleveland has NOONE on their team that can score in the post and as terrible as lebron was, they shouldn't have seen a game 7. cleveland is nowhere NEAR as tough a team as utah or san antonio. The hawks lack the all around game AND a legitimate coach.
Detroit was not themselves. outside of maybe game 2, chauncey was absent for this series and the team as a whole, really looked bad, and almost at times like mcdyess, maxiell, and were the only ones that cared. (tayshaun was horrid too). If the pistons were right, they would have at least seen a game 7 if not taken it in 6.
Lakers are a better offensive team than the second best offense in the league (nuggets), but that's all i will say about them, cuz the lakers just really have their number either way... they're not a bad team, but I'll give you that the pistons are better and at least the cavs play D, and honestly the hawks have more talent, albeit less experience and guidance.
They out-physicalled the jazz. Utah is as good a team as anyone that boston faced (detroit included) they are extremely tough and physical and have one of the best young superstars in the game... i hate deron williams, but i have to respect the fact that he is a legit, unique superstar. I'm not going to belabor the point any more, but taking a game in utah (and pushing another to OT, that should have been won) was in and of itself bigger than ANYTHING the celtics did all playoffs.
Really, so was taking game 4 in san antonio. They are as good defensively as anyone the C's faced. They have much better coaching and more experience than anyone the C's played (even detroit), and i think they could have given the C's a run for their money.
lakers had AT WORST an equal road the finals and did a much better job with it, but make no mistake, the hawks and cavs had no chance without home court ad (or at least shouldn't have). Boston SHOULD have done to the cavs what the spurs did to them last year. the fact that they didn't shows what's up. I think they did improve via that pistons series, but i also think the pistons didn't show up.
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well obviously they had a hard run to the finals, but I don't think they would have made it past the first or second round if they didn't have home court advantage.. they SHOULD have been able to take one in atlanta (like they did in the regular season twice). Same with cleveland, who they honestly should have rolled.
cleveland has NOONE on their team that can score in the post and as terrible as lebron was, they shouldn't have seen a game 7. cleveland is nowhere NEAR as tough a team as utah or san antonio. The hawks lack the all around game AND a legitimate coach.
Detroit was not themselves. outside of maybe game 2, chauncey was absent for this series and the team as a whole, really looked bad, and almost at times like mcdyess, maxiell, and were the only ones that cared. (tayshaun was horrid too). If the pistons were right, they would have at least seen a game 7 if not taken it in 6.
Lakers are a better offensive team than the second best offense in the league (nuggets), but that's all i will say about them, cuz the lakers just really have their number either way... they're not a bad team, but I'll give you that the pistons are better and at least the cavs play D, and honestly the hawks have more talent, albeit less experience and guidance.
They out-physicalled the jazz. Utah is as good a team as anyone that boston faced (detroit included) they are extremely tough and physical and have one of the best young superstars in the game... i hate deron williams, but i have to respect the fact that he is a legit, unique superstar. I'm not going to belabor the point any more, but taking a game in utah (and pushing another to OT, that should have been won) was in and of itself bigger than ANYTHING the celtics did all playoffs.
Really, so was taking game 4 in san antonio. They are as good defensively as anyone the C's faced. They have much better coaching and more experience than anyone the C's played (even detroit), and i think they could have given the C's a run for their money.
lakers had AT WORST an equal road the finals and did a much better job with it, but make no mistake, the hawks and cavs had no chance without home court ad (or at least shouldn't have). Boston SHOULD have done to the cavs what the spurs did to them last year. the fact that they didn't shows what's up. I think they did improve via that pistons series, but i also think the pistons didn't show up.
that first they is the celtics by the way, and i don't think they would have beaten the jazz or the spurs if they had 7 with them... i don't really think the lakers will run away with this series either, but i do think they win... the coaching thing just glares too much. Doc is way outclassed by phil and the lakers have more poise and stronger depth.
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that first they is the celtics by the way, and i don't think they would have beaten the jazz or the spurs if they had 7 with them... i don't really think the lakers will run away with this series either, but i do think they win... the coaching thing just glares too much. Doc is way outclassed by phil and the lakers have more poise and stronger depth.
All C's need is for their 'Big 3' to step up - that would be far more lethal than Kobe scoring 40-50 pts on his own. And for C's to minimize turn overs. Boston, as we already know has the best defense and best defensive player in the league & we already know they have the edge in rebounding. DEFENSE & REBOUND Vs OFFENSE = Boston EDGE.
So for those who think this is a lop sided match up is thinking too prematurely considering the last time these two teams played Gasol had not been traded to LA yet so who knows how his game will be.
I also think LA has the edge over Boston in this series but i can't count C' just yet . They must win game 1 in order to survive the series so my lean is till Boston unless you genius line readers tell me some significant wiseguy play.
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All C's need is for their 'Big 3' to step up - that would be far more lethal than Kobe scoring 40-50 pts on his own. And for C's to minimize turn overs. Boston, as we already know has the best defense and best defensive player in the league & we already know they have the edge in rebounding. DEFENSE & REBOUND Vs OFFENSE = Boston EDGE.
So for those who think this is a lop sided match up is thinking too prematurely considering the last time these two teams played Gasol had not been traded to LA yet so who knows how his game will be.
I also think LA has the edge over Boston in this series but i can't count C' just yet . They must win game 1 in order to survive the series so my lean is till Boston unless you genius line readers tell me some significant wiseguy play.
Well my prediction from months ago that this would be the finals matchup came true, as I knew because fate is fate. This is the year of the cursed Boston teams folks, don't deny it. The better team cleary is from Boston, and just like in the Super Bowl they will lose a close hard fought series.
Game 1 - Lakers
Game 2 - Celtics
Game 3 - Celtics
Game 4 - Lakers
Game 5 - Celtics
Game 6 - Lakers
Game 7 - Lakers
Take it to the bank.
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Well my prediction from months ago that this would be the finals matchup came true, as I knew because fate is fate. This is the year of the cursed Boston teams folks, don't deny it. The better team cleary is from Boston, and just like in the Super Bowl they will lose a close hard fought series.
Well my prediction from months ago that this would be the finals matchup came true, as I knew because fate is fate. This is the year of the cursed Boston teams folks, don't deny it. The better team cleary is from Boston, and just like in the Super Bowl they will lose a close hard fought series.
Game 1 - Lakers
Game 2 - Celtics
Game 3 - Celtics
Game 4 - Lakers
Game 5 - Celtics
Game 6 - Lakers
Game 7 - Lakers
Take it to the bank.
You gonna be a broke sad soul!! LOSER!!!
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Quote Originally Posted by sirmartingale:
Well my prediction from months ago that this would be the finals matchup came true, as I knew because fate is fate. This is the year of the cursed Boston teams folks, don't deny it. The better team cleary is from Boston, and just like in the Super Bowl they will lose a close hard fought series.
From Wangichu: "cleveland has NOONE on their team that can score in the post and as terrible as lebron was, they shouldn't have seen a game 7."
REALLY? Because in the first 2 games in Boston, a guy named Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 41 points, shot 60% and had 17 rebounds before they started double-teaming him...
But, you are right for the most part. Cleveland survived on team defense and Lebron's offense.
Cleveland and Detroit are both excellent defensive teams and Atlanta had a great home record this season. Don't forget that when the Lakers were 13-1 from Feb 1-28, that one loss was at Atlanta. You can dismiss those stats as much as you want. The Lakers do play good defense. They play with intensity and they have length and athleticism, but they don't bring the grit and physicality of Cleveland, Detroit or Boston. Utah had OFFENSIVE physicallity, but no one accused Utah of being a good defensive team this year.
Oh, and what was the Lakers record against Boston, Detroit, and Cleveland this year??? 1-5 SU. They played good defense in all but one of these games, but they still lost almost every single time.
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From Wangichu: "cleveland has NOONE on their team that can score in the post and as terrible as lebron was, they shouldn't have seen a game 7."
REALLY? Because in the first 2 games in Boston, a guy named Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 41 points, shot 60% and had 17 rebounds before they started double-teaming him...
But, you are right for the most part. Cleveland survived on team defense and Lebron's offense.
Cleveland and Detroit are both excellent defensive teams and Atlanta had a great home record this season. Don't forget that when the Lakers were 13-1 from Feb 1-28, that one loss was at Atlanta. You can dismiss those stats as much as you want. The Lakers do play good defense. They play with intensity and they have length and athleticism, but they don't bring the grit and physicality of Cleveland, Detroit or Boston. Utah had OFFENSIVE physicallity, but no one accused Utah of being a good defensive team this year.
Oh, and what was the Lakers record against Boston, Detroit, and Cleveland this year??? 1-5 SU. They played good defense in all but one of these games, but they still lost almost every single time.
THE LAKERS AIN'T WINNING SHIT!!!!!! BOTTOM LINE!!! FOR YALL LAKER BACKERS, YALL GOING TO LOOSE ALOT OF FUCKIN MONEY FOR BEING THAT DUMB!!! KNOWING BOSTON IS WAY TOO STRONG FOR L.A.!!! BUT I'M NOT SAYIN SHIT. GASOL IS NOT ENOUGH, AND ODOM IS SOMETIMING AS HELL!!! MVP OR NOT, KOBE DEFINITELY CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE WITHOUT THEM TWO!!! IT'S A FUCKIN WRAP! EITHER ROLL WITH BOSTON, OR WE GONNA ROLL OVER YA!!!! STRAIGHT UP!! IT'S GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT OF SAD MONEY L.A. GROUPIES ON THIS BITCH!!! "DON'T GO GOLD, YA BETTA GO GREEN!" A HARD HEAD MAKE A SOFT................ YOU KNOW!!!
This post is hilarious
Coverdatspread - No doubt, nothing worse than the rabid fan that finds these forums and thinks it's a place to root his team on. NOTHING was worse than that Ohio State Buckeyes fan who put a million posts on the thread before the CFB Mythical Natl Championship game. I wish I could've watched the game with that idiot just to watch him suffer!
0
Quote Originally Posted by Coverdatspred:
QUOTE Originally Posted by tonktime:
THE LAKERS AIN'T WINNING SHIT!!!!!! BOTTOM LINE!!! FOR YALL LAKER BACKERS, YALL GOING TO LOOSE ALOT OF FUCKIN MONEY FOR BEING THAT DUMB!!! KNOWING BOSTON IS WAY TOO STRONG FOR L.A.!!! BUT I'M NOT SAYIN SHIT. GASOL IS NOT ENOUGH, AND ODOM IS SOMETIMING AS HELL!!! MVP OR NOT, KOBE DEFINITELY CAN'T HANDLE THE PRESSURE WITHOUT THEM TWO!!! IT'S A FUCKIN WRAP! EITHER ROLL WITH BOSTON, OR WE GONNA ROLL OVER YA!!!! STRAIGHT UP!! IT'S GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT OF SAD MONEY L.A. GROUPIES ON THIS BITCH!!! "DON'T GO GOLD, YA BETTA GO GREEN!" A HARD HEAD MAKE A SOFT................ YOU KNOW!!!
This post is hilarious
Coverdatspread - No doubt, nothing worse than the rabid fan that finds these forums and thinks it's a place to root his team on. NOTHING was worse than that Ohio State Buckeyes fan who put a million posts on the thread before the CFB Mythical Natl Championship game. I wish I could've watched the game with that idiot just to watch him suffer!
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IT'S A FUCKIN WRAP! EITHER ROLL WITH BOSTON, OR WE GONNA ROLL OVER YA!!!! STRAIGHT UP!! IT'S GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT OF SAD MONEY L.A. GROUPIES ON THIS BITCH!!! "DON'T GO GOLD, YA BETTA GO GREEN!"
This post is hilarious
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