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Knicks Assign Joakim Noah to Westchester

by Matt Spendley | Nov 29, 2017

The highly-paid pivot will suit up for the Knicks G League affiliate this morning in White Plains.
The Knicks have a game tonight at the Garden against the Miami Heat, but it isn’t the only game that Joakim Noah (and Damyean Dotson) will don the orange and blue for today:

The NY Knicks have assigned Damyean Dotson and Joakim Noah to the Westchester Knicks for this morning’s game. They are expected to rejoin the NY Knicks for tonight’s game against Miami.
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) November 29, 2017

With Noah’s recent return from suspension and a subsequent illness, the Knicks seemingly want to give him some reps in the G League to allow his conditioning to improve. In his first game this year as a Knick on Monday, Noah played three minutes, recording two points, one rebound, and one blocked shot.
Using the G League as a type of rehab assignment has long made a lot of sense, but the stigma associated with it has generally prevented teams from sending veterans down. The Spurs sent Tony Parker to practice with their G League affiliate as he was returning from injury recently, perhaps setting a precedent for other teams to follow. It’s unclear if Noah will play in the Westchester Knicks game, which is set for 11 A.M. against the Maine Red Claws, but the fact that the Knicks are using their G League team for this type of assignment is smart.
This has to be true, no?:

joakim noah just became the highest paid player to ever suit up for a g league team right
— trey (@treyzingis) November 29, 2017

Noah is comfortably getting paid more to be sent down for one game than some of these guys will all season. Thoughts?

Be sure to follow along @TheKnicksWall for updates regarding Noah’s brief stint at the County Center.
UPDATE: Noah put up 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists for Westchester today. Here are his highlights:

A little bit of this, a little bit of that! @NYKnicks Joakim Noah came through and had 9 points (4/5 FG), grabbed 5 boards & dished out 4 assists in #Westchester today. #DubKnicks pic.twitter.com/5AyjqTncSr
— Westchester Knicks (@wcknicks) November 29, 2017

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Knicks, Garden of Dreams Foundation Hold Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive in Harlem

by Nitz Bluvstein | Nov 14, 2017

TKW went to Harlem for the Knicks’ Thanksgiving charity drive in conjunction with The Garden of Dreams Foundation!
Tuesday night found some of our Knicks up in Harlem for a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. The Garden Of Dreams Foundation, in partnership with the team, hosted the event.
(Quick sidebar: all corporations have charities. It’s beneficial for the brand to splash charitable acts on your website and include it with every PR asset. I say this to get something quick out of the way: The Knicks Organization is most definitely a corporation but its partnership with The Garden Of Dreams Foundation just doesn’t fit the less-than- sincere mold I described above.)
This night saw Michael Beasley, Doug McDermott, and Jarrett Jack in bright blue Knicks tees participating. Sure, they had to be there. But it felt so genuine. You see Michael Beasley handing out turkeys to members of the community with that real Beas smile plastered on his face.

We're coming at you from the @gardenofdreams NYK Turkey Drive tonight so follow here and snap for your boys Dougie, Beas, and J Jack pic.twitter.com/okCQBueLaE
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) November 14, 2017

Dougie McBuckets is off at a table playing Connect 4 with a little girl who’s face is adorned with glitter and face paint. The man looked FOCUSED. Jarrett Jack has his usual stern look but when a kid asked for a quick picture, his face lit up, and he hoisted the kid up with energy as someone snapped a few photos.
So much of the event and the involvement of the Knicks felt genuine. Teams give communities and cities so much more than a color palette and a roster to root for. They give back to the community with real, concrete programs and events just like this one. The Garden Of Dreams Foundation enriches children’s lives, and the small, but lively delegation of Knicks could not have looked happier to be there.
Thank you, Nitz, for being our social correspondent and attending the New York Knicks’ Garden of Dream Foundation charity drive.
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Knicks Sign Isaiah Hicks to a Two-Way Deal

by Ankit Mehra | Oct 19, 2017

The Knicks have filled out their second two-way contract spot by signing Hicks.

After signing Luke Kornet to a two-way contract on July 3, the New York Knicks have filled out their second two-way contract spot by signing former University of North Carolina (UNC) power forward Isaiah Hicks to a two-way contract. The Vertical’s Shams Charania was first on the report:

Sources: The Knicks are signing former UNC forward Isaiah Hicks to a two-way NBA contract. Hicks went to training camp with Charlotte.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 20, 2017

Hicks, a 6’9″ Forward, was signed to the Charlotte Hornets training camp roster but was a long shot to make the team. Failing to appear in a single game, Hicks was subsequently cut, leading to Knicks General Manager Scott Perry picking him up on October 19.
Hicks played Summer League this past offseason for the Los Angeles Clippers as well, failing to garner a contract.
Hicks played four years at UNC, averaging 7.4 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 72.5 percent from the free-throw line. Hicks averaged 16.2 minutes per game during his four years of college.
Overall, Hicks is slightly undersized and likely will not see the floor for the Knicks this season, but could develop into a solid rotational player with time in the G League.

— Ankit Mehra, staff writer

Follow The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more coverage, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud!
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Trey Burke Joins Michigan Teammate Hardaway Jr. in New York

by Ty Jordan | Oct 11, 2017

Burke, a candidate for the Knicks’ second two-way contract, is New York’s 20th training camp player signed after waiving Artis.

On October 11, the New York Knicks announced a new edition at the already crowded point guard position.
Trey Burke signed a deal with the New York Knicks. Details were not immediately available, but, if it is guaranteed, that means the Knicks could be dropping Jarrett Jack from the roster since NBA rosters cannot exceed 15 roster spots, or 17 if the brand new 2-Way Contracts are included into the total.
Burke, who was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but spent his first three seasons in Utah, is coming off of a low point where he averaged a career low 5.0 points per game and 1.8 assists per game as a Washington Wizard. He averaged 12 minutes per game in 57 games (per Basketball-Reference).
Burke is joining fellow University of Michigan alum Tim Hardaway Jr. who just signed his own $71 million, four-year deal this summer. The former Michigan Wolverines lost the national championship to Louisville in 2013 with the two newly-christened Knickerbockers leading the team in scoring.
The New York Knicks’ first regular season game is on October 19th against former Knicks frontman Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Check back for updates on Burke’s contract details.

— Ty Jordan, staff writer

Follow The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more coverage, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud.
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Squarespace, Knicks Partner for Jersey Sponsorship

by Ankit Mehra | Oct 10, 2017

Let the triangle jokes commence.

As a wave of teams unveiled jersey sponsors over the course of the offseason, the New York Knicks have now announced their sponsor for the upcoming season: Squarespace.
The Knicks are now the 17th team in the league to have announced a jersey patch sponsor, though the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The deal indicates a new trend in the NBA, with e-commerce companies garnering more and more sponsorship deals. The Los Angeles Lakers jersey sponsor is Wish, the Golden State Warriors’ sponsor is Rakuten and the Philadelphia 76ers sponsor is Stubhub.

https://twitter.com/AlbaneseLaura/status/917762452091293697/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fmedia%2Fd1531588a3bb159fea3821429cf8fc9f%3FpostId%3Dd26e8d023017

Squarespace was founded in 2003 and generated $200 million in sales in 2016. The role of the company in this deal is to provide financial support and give digital advertising opportunities to small, local businesses in cohesion with Madison Square Garden company.

— Ankit Mehra, staff writer

Follow The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more news, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud.
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Knicks, Jamel Artis Part Ways

by Matt Spendley | Oct 4, 2017

The Knicks have waived the former Pittsburgh Panther, trimming the roster down to 19 players.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Knicks waived forward and headband enthusiast Jamel Artis:

The Knicks announce that they have waived forward Jamel Artis. Strange timing. He was productive in limited minutes last night.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 4, 2017

Timing is surprising because I thought Artis would have a chance to play w/NYK for more of the preseason. Helps Nigel Hayes & Rathan-Mayes. https://t.co/RwYYMi06C8
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 4, 2017

After averaging 8.8 points and 2.4 boards during the Orlando Summer League, Artis’ chance to make the team is over. As Begley notes, the timing is a bit strange, considering that Artis put up 5 points in just seven minutes played last night against the Nets. He did all he could during his limited minutes to convince the coaching staff to let him stick around, but they clearly were not inclined to give him any more looks.
The Knicks still hold one of their two available two-way contracts, with Luke Kornet’s ink dry on his deal. Artis’ name is now out of the running. Begley correctly deduces that this helps out the other summer league holdovers looking to lock down a roster spot, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Nigel Hayes. Hayes and Artis are cut from the same cloth in terms of size, so this move is a sign that they prefer Hayes to Artis. May the best man win.
We could see Artis pop up again for Westchester down the road if the Knicks want to keep him around and track his development, but for now, he’s been tossed back into the growing pile of four year collegiate players that can’t seem to land a gig in the NBA.
Best of luck, Jamel. We hardly knew ye.

UPDATE: Not so fast! Our very own Jeffrey Bellone has some updates about Artis’ contract situation:

If waived from NBA contract w/guarantee > $50,000, then rest of yr cannot play for team D-League affiliate or sign 2-Way contract w/any team https://t.co/UBZnkdCVDB
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) October 4, 2017

Exhibit 10 allows a team to convert a standard contract to 2-way, while protecting salary otherwise pro-rated by days of service https://t.co/UBZnkdCVDB
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) October 4, 2017

So essentially, if Artis stays with the Westchester Knicks for 60 days, he will earn a bonus of $50,000. Keep getting them checks, young man. We’ll see you at the County Center.

— Matt Spendley, associate editor

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Knicks, Jamel Artis Part Ways

by Matt Spendley | Oct 4, 2017

The Knicks have waived the former Pittsburgh Panther, trimming the roster down to 19 players.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Knicks waived forward and headband enthusiast Jamel Artis:

The Knicks announce that they have waived forward Jamel Artis. Strange timing. He was productive in limited minutes last night.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 4, 2017

UPDATE: Not so fast! Our very own Jeffrey Bellone has some updates about Artis’ contract situation:

So essentially, if Artis stays with the Westchester Knicks for 60 days, he will earn a bonus of $50,000. Keep getting them checks, young man. We’ll see you at the County Center.

— Matt Spendley, associate editor

Find us on Facebook and Twitter for more TKW coverage, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud!

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Knicks Brass Share Plan for 2017–18 Season

by Matt Spendley | Sep 22, 2017

The head honchos at MSG met with the media on Friday morning to discuss Carmelo, Kristaps, and the offseason changes.

Ah, Friday morning news conferences. Not many things more Knicks-ian than having a press conference during the day when everyone is working and not paying attention.
In an effort to get some of their duties out of the way before training camp kicks off next week, Steve Mills, Scott Perry, and Jeff Hornacek talked about the upcoming season. Let’s see what they said!
The first question, of course, addressed the Carmelo Anthony situation, with Mills indicating that they completely expect to see ‘Melo for Media Day 2017 this Monday. Scott Perry was quick to back him up, calling ‘Melo a “professional.” Perry said when he was hired that he went down to meet with him, and that the mutual respect between the two has been a constant source of positivity throughout the tenuous relationship:

"I went down to Florida and visited Carmelo…We both understood at that time that there would be a possibility that he would be back here."
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) September 22, 2017

Mills said that the reason why Anthony has been consistently omitted from talks about the future is that they want to focus on the young players, but the contempt that they’ve long held for ‘Melo has been painfully obvious. Either way, don’t expect him to be gone from New York anytime soon.
As far Anthony’s role on the team is concerned, Mills deflected and asked the fans to have faith in the professionalism of everyone involved. Hornacek hopped in and said that “if you don’t think I’m going to start him, you’re crazy.” He also added right before that starter comment that “players don’t worry about trade talk.” Sure, buddy.
These guys want you to know that they text Kristaps Porzingis. A LOT. They have a FURIOUS texting relationship, and don’t forget it:

Hornacek: "KP and I, we have a good relationship…we texted with him all summer."
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) September 22, 2017

We get it, you hit KP with the 2 A.M. “sup” text when he doesn’t answer on a Friday. Something tells me Porzingis is more concerned with using his international data to find a woman rather than answer a Steve Mills text.
Begley asked the panel if they think Porzingis will be ready to assume an alpha role if Anthony leaves, and Perry decided to not come right out and shower him with praise. Mills hopped in and said that “we’re excited to give him more opportunities.” Excellent save for Stevie!
Seemingly every September, the Knicks talk about establishing a defensive identity:

Hornacek: Big thing is defensive identity. We want these guys to get in the open floor some more. We have some great shooters on this team.
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) September 22, 2017

They’ve only managed to do that once, maybe twice this century, so take it with a grain of salt. We’ll look at the defensive ratings in December and the Knicks will be near the bottom like they always are. Do we buy that defenses can get better through osmosis, which Hornacek asserted that none other than Joakim Noah’s presence would push? I kinda don’t. Tyson Chandler would like a word with the rest of his teammates at the end of his tenure.
A couple reporters asked questions about the Knicks playoff aspirations, which Hornacek responded to with some quintessential coach speak. “We plan to win every game.” “We want to be competitive.” “It’s basketball, we play hard.” Basketball guy, through and through.
The starting point guard role will be a big story to follow during training camp, with Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack, Ron Baker, and Frank Ntilikina expected to compete for the spot. Hornacek raved about Ntilikina’s length, but we won’t get much of an idea about who has this role locked down until the season gets closer:

Hornacek: "With Frank, we really like what we're seeing…He's doing some great things, and there's an opening there where he can compete."
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) September 22, 2017

On the wing, Perry threw some serious shade at Michael Beasley by calling him a “proven scorer,” following it up with saying “he doesn’t lack for confidence.” The disrespect! He’s made it clear he’s a walking bucket! Look for the Beas to come out and prove his GM wrong quickly. Watch out, NBA.
Addressing the exit interview fiasco with Porzingis, Mills said that “we don’t look back on things that have happened and try to figure out why they happened.” And the Knicks wonder why nothing has changed in the last 20 years. Learning from your mistakes is Lesson #1 they teach you growing up! Bad look, Steve. Going to have to take your points away from your save earlier in the conference.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think Mills and Perry got their “we have great people” or “there are a lot of really good people” from someone that also has the best words and a very good brain.
This is a personal grievance, but hear me out: when the reporters ask this panel about how the #EuroKnicks have looked, why can’t Mills or Perry or Hornacek mention their names? And why can’t they make a comment about their games that left an impression on them? “Yeah, Willy has looked great in the post against some of the best international competition.” That’s all I ask for!
The last Perry quote was “I think Knicks fans will be happy when they see a team that’s playing hard and playing together.” Respectfully, we’re not allowed to be happy, Scott. You’ll learn soon enough.

— Matt Spendley, associate editor

Find The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more coverage of the team, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud!

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Oakley Files Civil Suit Against Dolan, MSG

by Ankit Mehra | Sep 12, 2017

Targeting Dolan specifically, the former player cites defamation after the nasty quarrel taking place last February.

In what now seems to be a never ending saga, former New York Knicks power forward Charles Oakley has filed a civil lawsuit connected to his altercation with security at Madison Square Garden this past February.
Oakley’s lawsuit targets James Dolan, the Madison Square Garden company, and two other MSG, Dolan-owned enterprises as defendants, per Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley of ESPN.
(You can read full details on the lawsuit here.)
Oakley’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, said that Oakley would pursue “all civil remedies,” stating that it is a matter of principle for the former All-Star.
After the altercation, Oakley was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault, one misdemeanor count of aggravated harassment, and one misdemeanor count of trespassing. He also received two counts of non-criminal harassment. Later, Oakley accepted a deal to dismiss these charges, which included a clause that prohibited Oak from stepping foot in the Garden for a year.
Immediately after the incident, celebrities, players, and fans rallied around the former Knicks legend. Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, LeBron James, Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford, Spike Lee, Michael Rapaport, and countless others quickly came to his defense, eager to point out the egregious disrespect of James Dolan:

This suit stands for so much more than just the altercation. This is the rally cry that Knicks fans have been pressing for since Dolan hired Isiah Thomas to carry the torch for the ‘Bockers. By targeting Dolan himself, Oakley has established himself as the face of the disgruntled Knicks fan base. There can be no qualms about the fact that Oakley isn’t the first former player to be disrespected; just ask Patrick Ewing. This suit represents the division that Knicks fans and those around the NBA alike currently feel towards the front office, with Dolan and company consistently setting the everyman against the supposed kings of the castle. Voices calling for change fall on deaf ears, while Dolan and his brass continue to make poor decision after poor decision.
The aggravation that this lawsuit represents is symbolic for the contempt that Dolan has treated seasoned legends with. We find ourselves at crossroads, where relations with former legends are hampered and excitement surrounding the team has been low due to poor performance.
Oakley, now fully at war with Knicks brass, is taking his transgressions directly to the source. Whether his suit represents a wake up call for Dolan or not will remain to be seen.

— Ankit Mehra, staff writer
Matt Spendley contributed to this story.

Follow The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more news on the team, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud.

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FIBA EuroBasket Showcases Knicks Pillars

by Peter Saclarides | Sep 6, 2017

Key players like Porzingis and Hernangómez play big roles on respective their nation’s squads in competition

While the Phil Jackson era Knicks were surrounded by an overwhelming amount of failure, ineptitude, and sadness, one thing the franchise did well in recent years was add foreign talent to the roster.
New York’s scouting department has done a great job of adding European players to the team through the draft and free agency, most specifically Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, and Mindaugus Kuzminskas, all three of whom are currently participating in the 2017 EuroBasket championship, a European tournament held by FIBA every four years.

The tournament is currently wrapping up its group phase, in which teams attempt to qualify for the single-elimination Round of 16.
Let’s take a look at what our EuroKnicks have done so far in the early stages of the tournament:

Kristaps Porzingis
KP’s Latvian team remains locked in a three-way tie for first place in their group with Russia and Serbia with a 3–1 record. Latvia is in good position to finish in the top four and advance to the Round of 16, however, a loss in their final game against Turkey and a few wins from their opponents could bump them out of qualifying.

HIGHLIGHTS from #EuroBasket2017: @kporzee with a game-high 28 points!
?: @FIBA pic.twitter.com/c0JXwmjGg1
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 5, 2017

As for Kristaps, he’s been one of the tournament’s best players so far. In a more ball-dominant role he’s been able to show off his passing and handling and score the ball dominantly.

.@KPorzee's HUGE GAME (27pts) in basketbol's ?? first #EuroBasket2017 win! pic.twitter.com/PwR6iGZn0M
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 2, 2017

KP is currently scoring 21 points per game, good enough for the fifth highest points per game average in the tournament, on 49 percent shooting as well as averaging 1.8 blocks per game, trailing only Marc Gasol.

The put back dunk and the walk off… @KPorzee #EuroBasket2017???? pic.twitter.com/AQ2LQ05a94
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 2, 2017

.@KPorzee is a walking highlight reel! #EuroBasket2017 @basketbols pic.twitter.com/bvOFlyg61i
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 4, 2017

Porzingis is emerging as a premier European talent among his peers.

Willy Hernangómez
Playing alongside an all-time FIBA great in Marc Gasol, Willy Hernangómez has helped the Spanish national team go undefeated in the group stage and qualify for a spot in the Round of 16.

1-2?!@SergioRodriguez with 6 AST, @willyhg94 with 10 PTS at the half.
?https://t.co/aHPaEkqy6o#EuroBasket2017 pic.twitter.com/Hogv3RsjCo
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 1, 2017

Playing in a more pass-oriented system, Willy has moved the ball surprisingly well, frequently making the extra pass to the open player. With the Triangle offense finally out of the Knicks’ playbook for good, it’ll be interesting to see if Willy continues this pass-first style of play in Coach Hornacek’s offense.

?? @BaloncestoFEB with the unfair passing ‼️@SergioRodriguez ➡️ @Willyhg94 ➡️ @PierreOriola#EuroBasket2017 pic.twitter.com/1KKFjRjTfl
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 2, 2017

Hernangómez is currently averaging 9.5 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field as well as 9.5 rebounds per game, the third highest in the tournament.

Willy Hernangomez highlights from Spain's first two games.
Impressive offensive skill set: pic.twitter.com/3jVJ6JEiQi
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) September 3, 2017

While Willy hops off the pine for the elder Gasol, the young Spaniard is filling in the All-Star’s shoes quite well.

Mindaugus Kuzminskas

Amigos:) pic.twitter.com/JKmdoK9eVz
— Mindaugas Kuzminskas (@MKuzminskas) August 26, 2017

As for Kuz, his Lithuanian national team has secured a spot in the Round of 16 with a 4–1 record, and will face the team with the fourth best record in Group A.

Some moments from yesterday's game. One more today! #mesuzlietuva #eurobasket2017 pic.twitter.com/5Q2QXZObSk
— Mindaugas Kuzminskas (@MKuzminskas) August 19, 2017

Kuzminskas has played the role of leading scorer for Lithuania, averaging 14.4 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field as well as shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc. Kuz has shown off some of his athleticism in the tournament, pulling off a few unexpected dunks and using his speed to get out and run on the fast break.

Why you didn't jump @willyhg94? ?—Porque no has saltado, Willy:))?#eurobasket2017 #mesuzlietuva #knicks pic.twitter.com/zF5Tp8QArz
— Mindaugas Kuzminskas (@MKuzminskas) August 29, 2017

Highlights, stats, & recaps featuring @kporzee, @willyhg94, & @MKuzminskas ⬇️⬇️
[https://t.co/eNNIDYX1Yn] pic.twitter.com/xYLZllrHkN
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 4, 2017

At nearly 28 years of age, Kuz is a bit older than KP and Willy, and has shaped his role amongst European players over the years, having plenty of time to bang around against his FIBA EuroBasket opponents.
There’s plenty more to come from these guys in Europe, and hopefully they’ll come stateside with the same competitive intensity when the NBA season commences.

Follow The Knicks Wall on Facebook and Twitter for more coverage, and listen to the TKW Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud!

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