Warriors Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
After two consecutive seasons missing the postseason, the Golden State Warriors have reloaded on all fronts. They’ve added two promising prospects through the NBA Draft in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, a handful of shooters such as Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, and long-time Warrior Andre Iguodala to strengthen their reserve unit.
Last season was a step in the right direction for Steve Kerr’s team, with many young players developing into rotation pieces and quickly impacting their playoff chase. Although, the greatest source of enthusiasm was produced by the franchise’s stars, who returned from injuries and helped catapult the group’s record.
Stephen Curry made a terrific push for a third MVP award, erupting in the second half with unfathomable shooting and securing the league’s scoring title, and Draymond Green turned back time to be an elite two-way playmaker, setting up new teammates for open shots and locking down the opposition’s frontcourt threats.
The Golden State Warriors had playoff potential last season, but they lost their chance during the play-in. What helps them secure a spot this year?
While the pair of future Hall-of-Famers were brilliant, Kerr’s team definitely had its limitations. Curry, averaging 32.0 points per game, was the lone consistent shot-creator, resulting in plays where the point guard was double and even triple-teamed that only became worse as the game progressed.
The team relied all too much on 3-point attempts, resulting in subpar efficiency (14th in team field-goal percentage, 26th in team turnovers), minuscule glass cleaning (30th in team offensive rebounding, 22nd in team total rebounding) and few trips to the charity stripe (21st in team free throw attempts).
That’s where this year’s new additions come into play. The lottery picks Moody and Kuminga are particularly athletic, which should lead to high-percentage cuts and fast-break scores. The free agency additions Porter and Bjelica are long in stature, which should lead to more second-chance opportunities and Iguodala who’s an experienced pass-first player, which should lead to more attempts near the basket.
As for the shot-creating alongside Curry, there are a few promising candidates to step up in that department. One is a developing scorer, another is a lottery pick entering his prime, and the last is a recovering future Hall-of-Famer.
All of these boosts on the offensive end, while remaining stout on the defensive end, would elevate the team in the Western Conference standings. But what specific measures are of the utmost importance this year?
Here are 5 goals the Golden State Warriors should look to achieve during the 2021-22 regular season.
promising prospects through the NBA Draft</a> in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, a handful of shooters such as Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, and long-time Warrior Andre Iguodala to strengthen their reserve unit.</p>
<p>Last season was a step in the right direction for Steve Kerr’s team, with many young players developing into rotation pieces and quickly impacting their playoff chase. Although, the greatest source of enthusiasm was produced by the franchise’s stars, who returned from injuries and helped catapult the group’s record.</p>
<p>Stephen Curry made a terrific push for a third MVP award, erupting in the second half with unfathomable shooting and securing the league’s scoring title, and Draymond Green turned back time to be an elite two-way playmaker, setting up new teammates for open shots and locking down the opposition’s frontcourt threats.</p>
<h2>The Golden State Warriors had playoff potential last season, but they lost their chance during the play-in. What helps them secure a spot this year?</h2>
<p>While the pair of future Hall-of-Famers were brilliant, Kerr’s team definitely had its limitations. Curry, averaging 32.0 points per game, was the lone consistent shot-creator, resulting in plays where the point guard was double and even triple-teamed that only became worse as the game progressed.</p>
<p>The team relied all too much on 3-point attempts, resulting in subpar efficiency (14th in team field-goal percentage, 26th in team turnovers), minuscule glass cleaning (30th in team offensive rebounding, 22nd in team total rebounding) and few trips to the charity stripe (21st in team free throw attempts).</p>
<p>That’s where this year’s new additions come into play. The lottery picks Moody and Kuminga are particularly athletic, which should lead to high-percentage cuts and fast-break scores. The free agency additions Porter and Bjelica are long in stature, which should lead to more second-chance opportunities and Iguodala who’s an experienced pass-first player, which should lead to more attempts near the basket.</p>
<p>As for the shot-creating alongside Curry, there are a few promising candidates to step up in that department. One is a developing scorer, another is a lottery pick entering his prime, and the last is a recovering future Hall-of-Famer.</p>
<p>All of these boosts on the offensive end, while remaining stout on the defensive end, would elevate the team in the Western Conference standings. But what specific measures are of the utmost importance this year?</p>
<p>Here are 5 goals the Golden State Warriors should look to achieve during the 2021-22 regular season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Helping the MVP </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Goals for the Golden State Warriors: 1. Developing Jordan Poole into a strong secondary scorer</h2>
<p>The Warriors without their second splash brother fell subject to a modern NBA phenomenon: Surround “Star X” with shooters and screeners. Houston had recent success with this philosophy at the end of the James Harden era, and Atlanta used that same strategy throughout their playoff run to capitalize on Trae Young’s offensive genius.</p>
<p>The 2020-21 Warriors entered this category, to receive all they could get out of their MVP talent on an uncharacteristically weak offense. Stephen Curry carried the Warriors all season long, and while it was exceptional and made for great entertainment, it proved to be unsustainable. The lopsided Warriors were outmaneuvered by the talented Lakers in the 7-seed game and outmatched by the offensively-gifted Grizzlies in the 8-seed game, effectively ending their season.</p>
<p>Losing legendary scorer Kevin Durant to free agency a few years ago, and Curry’s tag-team partner in the backcourt due to injury around the same time created a glaring hole to fill in the offense. Management tried salvaging it with All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell, but that ultimately created a surplus in the backcourt and in the same process, drastically hurt their defense.</p>
<p>With their second All-Star guard still on the shelf due to injury, and another star still coming into his own offensively, the Warriors desperately need a secondary scorer to pair alongside Curry, who could create his own shot and also lead the offense with #30 off the floor.</p>
<p>Enter Jordan Poole, the Warriors’ first-round draft pick from the 2019 NBA Draft. Poole, a 6’4″ shooting guard, made a name for himself at Michigan as an offensive weapon who could create off-the-dribble and knock down 3-pointers off-the-catch. His career highlight is a buzzer-beating 3-point field goal to advance the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen as a true freshman, which was pivotal in helping them reach the Championship Game.</p>
<p>Feeling desperate for scoring, the Warriors snagged him as a ready-made sixth man, and he actually started in his rookie year after Curry fell injured himself. As a sophomore, he kept his spot in the rotation but dramatically improved his shooting percentages (33.3% FG and 27.9% 3PT in 2019-20 to 43.2% FG and 35.1% 3PT in 2020-21). By the end of the season, he was the go-to bench scorer, giving teams trouble during their playoff push.</p>
<p>For this year’s Warriors to rise up the ranks, they’ll need Poole to take an even bigger step forward. He won’t be asked to elevate his efficiency all that much, since the pass-happy team is full of catch-and-shoot marksmen. Rather, he’ll be tasked with improving his off-the-dribble shooting and slashing, things that will go a long way helping Curry facilitate and, of all things, rest.</p>
<p>There’s no telling how effective their original shooting guard will be after two devastating leg injuries, so the offensive share is Poole’s for the taking as long as he’s capable of handling the responsibility. Picking up from his late-season momentum, the Michigan product looked spectacular in the preseason, averaging 21.8 points per game with several 3-point outbursts. His handles are looking craftier, his agility is looking more lethal, and his confidence is appearing to grow with each performance.</p>
<p>Developing Poole into a strong secondary scorer is the top goal for the Warriors this season. He might not be relied on so heavily in the second half of the year, but come the playoff push and hopefully the postseason, Poole needs to be ready to create when he’s called upon.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Getting their money's worth </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Goals for the Golden State Warriors: 2. Elevating Andrew Wiggins’ offensive game</h2>
<p>An underrated element to the Warriors’ success last regular season was the improved efficiency of Andrew Wiggins. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft hasn’t exactly panned out as many had hoped, but nonetheless, he’s still developed into a star who’s a productive scorer and athletic defender.</p>
<p>One of the areas Wiggins has struggled with throughout his career is his shooting efficiency. He doesn’t possess the same ferociousness he did as a youth attacking the rim, he isn’t a particularly gifted jump shooter, and he doesn’t have a strong enough perimeter shot. There are nights when he gets rolling to be fair, yet there are also nights when he can’t sink a basket.</p>
<p>Wiggins is essentially the player acquired through Kevin Durant; the latter was moved in a sign-and-trade for D’Angelo Russell in July 2019, who was subsequently traded for Wiggins at the next year’s trade deadline. There was a motivation by the Warriors to diversify their talent pool, sending away a guard for a wing who still provided scoring ability.</p>
<p>He showed promise during his handful of games with the team in early 2020 and made a terrific jump in efficiency once aligned with Curry and Draymond (44.7% FG and 33.2% 3PT in 2019-20 to 47.7% FG and 38.0% 3PT in 2020-21). However, Wiggins hasn’t really increased his production despite having elite playmakers to play off of.</p>
<p>With Andrew Wiggins now being paid over $30 million in salary, reaching the last two years of his maximum contract extension, the Warriors will need to help him elevate his offensive game.</p>
<p>With the heavy price tag attached to his name, it is fair to ask Wiggins to take matters into his own hands and develop more on his own. However, his quiet demeanor and lack of determination are part of the reasons the Minnesota Timberwolves moved on from him. They’re also precisely the reasons the Golden State Warriors signed on to take him, recognizing the impact their leaders can make on young players, especially ones with the talent of a No.1 overall pick.</p>
<p>Giving Wiggins more responsibility in the offense, to create shots for himself at all levels and set up teammates with his athleticism, will help the Warriors’ offense in the long run. It would be a major lift to mold another ‘alpha’ in the starting lineup, who could not only score and demand the ball but could also dish and create for lesser-skilled teammates.</p>
<p>Elevating Wiggins’ offensive game enough, to the point he’s a 20 point-per-game scorer with 3 or 4 assists-per-contest, is another goal of great importance for the Warriors this season. He’s no Kevin Durant, and he’s not expected to outscore Curry, but he is expected to produce like an All-Star worthy of his pay grade.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Realigning their cornerstone </a>
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<img class="wp-image-358849 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1155793817.jpeg" alt="NBA Free Agency" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155793817.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155793817-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Goals for the Golden State Warriors: 3. Playing Klay Thompson for at least half of the team’s games</h2>
<p>Not long ago, the Warriors made five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, capturing three championships during the historic run. But ever since their last appearance in 2019, a series loss to the Toronto Raptors, the team has fallen off drastically.</p>
<p>The main reason for Golden State’s decline is the absence of Klay Thompson, their two-time All-NBA shooting guard and future Hall-of-Famer. Thompson suffered a torn ACL in the close-out Game 6 against the Raptors, ruling him out for the entire 2019-20 regular season. One year later on Draft Night, a fully-recovered Thompson then suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a practice, ruling him out for the second straight season and giving an unclear timeline on his return.</p>
<p>His brutal stretch of injuries has forced him to miss out on over two years of NBA games and unfortunately caused the Warriors to slide. His absence led to the sudden signing of D’Angelo Russell, an extended rest for Curry, a mid-season trade for Andrew Wiggins, the desperation snagging of Kelly Oubre Jr. and above all, two straight seasons without a playoff berth.</p>
<p>According to Stadium’s NBA Insider Shams Charania, Klay is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://twitter.com/Stadium/status/1448774813275803651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1448774813275803651%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10014899-warriors-rumors-klay-thompson-likely-to-return-from-injury-in-about-a-month%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">expected to return to full practice within a month</a> and has his sights set on a return to games in late December or early January. It’s hard to predict how effective he will be after two major leg injuries, and unlikely he’ll be able to perform to the same level at which he left off, averaging 21.5 points per game with shooting splits of 46.7-40.2-81.6.</p>
<p>For the Warriors to avoid the play-in tournament and have a realistic chance at winning the NBA title, they’ll need Klay Thompson to avoid any major setbacks, allowing him to play for at least half of the team’s games.</p>
<p>Steve Kerr and his coaching staff have done a tremendous job developing talent to make up for his absence, molding spot-up shooters, some off-the-dribble scoring and some tough perimeter defenders. But there’s still nobody on the roster who contributes in the way Thompson does, with lightning-quick shooting off screens, microwave outside scoring, and harassing on-ball defense.</p>
<p>Even if Thompson doesn’t perform at the same level, on either end of the court, his presence on offense and strength on defense will still impact games. It’s important for him to stay healthy in the second half of the year so he can build a rhythm with his shooting, become comfortable playing heavy minutes again and find synergy in the closing lineup as the Warriors head into the postseason.</p>
<p>Klay playing at least half of the team’s games this year makes Golden State a legitimate threat to come out of the Western Conference. He helps his teammates with shooting efficiency, defensive switching, and crunch-time composure.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Adding some depth </a>
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<img class="wp-image-437160 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1312563076.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312563076.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1312563076-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Goals for the Golden State Warriors: 4. Adding a veteran playmaker mid-season</h2>
<p>Long-time NBA fans know there’s a difference between regular-season depth and playoff depth, and the Warriors have been masterfully assembling the latter during their dynasty. Some players who are typically younger are full of energy and explosiveness, best suited for the grueling 82-game season, but there are other players typically older with grit and intelligence, who make their greatest contributions during the postseason run.</p>
<p>For example, last year’s Clippers benefitted from the incredible accuracy of Luke Kennard and the Bucks took advantage of the hustle of Thanasis Antetokounmpo. But during their playoff runs, the Clippers gave important minutes to Rajon Rondo and the Bucks allocated more time for P.J. Tucker, aiming for better defense and more playoff experience.</p>
<p>The Warriors have enjoyed the likes of Brandon Rush, Ian Clark, Festus Ezeli, Jordan Bell and others only to increase the roles of Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, David West and DeMarcus Cousins come postseason play. Both groups are essential for team success, but the second group making shots when the team needed them to and contesting shots without fouling late in games are what mattered most in winning the championship.</p>
<p>Every year a handful of veterans take the court during a postseason game and quickly set the tone, not mattering how many games they played in the regular season or how much time they had playing with the starters. Three-point marksmen, defensive specialists, brilliant passers, emphatic shot-blockers, they all make contributions that shape the final stage.</p>
<p>If the Warriors feel good about their pace and want to look ahead to improve their playoff roster, they should look to add a veteran playmaker mid-season.</p>
<p>Curry and Draymond will be manufacturing baskets all season long and play at their best during the final stretch, but Steve Kerr can’t be feeling all that confident relying on others when the stars sit. Right now the backup playmakers are the shoot-happy Poole and Damion Lee, defensive-minded Gary Payton II, rookie Moses Moody and two-way player Chris Chiozza. Those aren’t safe options to lead an offense during a playoff series.</p>
<p>Mid-season is the perfect time for playoff teams to make additions, whether big or small, feasting on teams that have given up or are looking to shed salary. The trade market is an opportunity to swap assets for a ready-made contributor, where the Warriors could look to add the soon-to-be-free agents of rebuilding teams like Cleveland’s Ricky Rubio or Toronto’s Goran Dragic, to make a big leap towards title contention.</p>
<p>There’s also the buy-out market which typically features a handful of veterans, who have agreed to be bought out of their (expiring) massive contract in order to be free to sign with a contender, such as Blake Griffin taking a pay cut last year to join the Nets. This year’s buy-out market could feature names like Cory Joseph out of Detroit, Michael Carter-Williams out of Orlando, Patrick Beverley out of Minnesota, and maybe even John Wall out of Houston.</p>
<p>A veteran playmaker backing up Curry in the playoffs would protect the Warriors’ offense during his much-needed rest, provide a spark when the scoring winds down, and raise the confidence of younger players who might not have much playoff experience. Some veteran point guard on a losing team will be making contributions during the playoffs; they just don’t know for who yet, though Golden State is an attractive landing spot.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Keeping the intensity </a>
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<img class="wp-image-437163 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2160,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1307327979.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2160" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1307327979.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1307327979-768x518.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>No. 5: Maintaining a top-5 defense</h2>
<p>The Warriors dynasty will best be remembered for their outrageous offensive output, featuring the greatest shooting backcourt of all time and likely the most talented scorer the game has ever known. But it would be a great injustice to basketball history to not mention their spectacular defense, something that was pivotal in jumpstarting fast-breaks and igniting 3-point attempts.</p>
<p>Led by six-time All-Defensive player Draymond Green, the Warriors have earned league defensive ratings that ranked 1st, 5th, 2nd, 11th, 13th and 5th again in 2020-21, excluding their bottom-5 finish during their injury-riddled 2019-20 season. The quickness, the toughness, the athleticism and the intelligence of the Warriors stars cannot be understated.</p>
<p>Even when the core entered their 30’s and the rotation saw some new faces, Golden State remained a stout defensive team. The style of working together in order to wreak havoc has accelerated the development of promising athletes. Nobody on the floor has looked fazed or intimidated, just hungry to get the ball back and run down to the other end.</p>
<p>The Warriors made many additions this year, specifically on the wing, in order to balance out their game plan. Whereas last year there was a plethora of scrappy young players vying for minutes, this year there are several older players aiming to create baskets.</p>
<p>For Golden State to remain a contender to come out of the loaded Western Conference, however, they should look to maintain their top-5 defensive rating.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Warriors: Andrew Wiggins for Most Improved Player?" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-andrew-wiggins-mip/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-andrew-wiggins-mip/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Warriors: Andrew Wiggins for Most Improved Player? </a> </div>
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<p>Easier means of scoring and better offensive efficiency are meaningful goals for the Warriors this season, yet the bigger priority should be keeping their elite defense, which has been a staple for the team during this long period of success. Fortunately the wings the team signed have length and the prospects the team drafted are particularly athletic, giving Steve Kerr and his coaching staff good pieces to work with and Draymond teammates to help force turnovers.</p>
<p>The team is also in line to receive a major lift from the returning Klay Thompson, who’s built a reputation for being one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. While he may have lost some agility due to injuries, he still provides active hands and communication. And if second-year center James Wiseman can stay out of foul trouble, the Warriors will suddenly add a gifted shot-blocker to the mix.</p>
<p>Another top-5 defensive rating will make the Warriors a top candidate to advance to the NBA Finals. If they can actually sustain their elite defense, while becoming a more proficient offensive team, there’s no reason Kerr’s team can’t win it all.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Power Rankings Week 1: First impressions" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/25/nba-power-rankings-week-1-lakers-woes/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/26/golden-state-warriors-5-goals/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/25/nba-power-rankings-week-1-lakers-woes/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Power Rankings Week 1: First impressions </a> </div>
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