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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Ray Ratto

looks on during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2025. His mouthpiece is hanging out of his mouth and he looks faintly sinister in how delighted he seems.

Golden State Warriors v Memphis Grizzlies

Steph Curry Went Off, Again

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Tom Ley

Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets fouls Nickeil Alexander-Walker #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on a three point attempt as time expires in the double overtime period resulting in a game winning free throw by Alexander-Walker at Ball Arena on April 1, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Noooo, Russell Westbrook, Don’t Do That! Nooooo, Don’t Do That Either!

Ronald Holland II #00 of the Detroit Pistons and Donte DiVincenzo #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fight in the second quarter. Holland II and DiVincenzo were ejected from the game at Target Center on March 30, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Detroit Pistons v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Season Is Too Long, And Everybody Is Cranky

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Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 17: Head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies Taylor Jenkins looks on from the bench during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies v Sacramento Kings

Out Of Nowhere, Memphis Grizzlies Fire Coach Taylor Jenkins

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

The Bulls celebrate an incredible last-second win.

Chicago Bulls

How About These Absurd Chicago Bulls?

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ESPN: LeBron James, On ESPN, To ESPN: “ESPN.”

LeBron James dribbling

The Lakers Are Puking And Shitting At An Inopportune Moment

AI Anthony Davis points a gun at his head

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The Mavericks Don’t Want To Talk About Their Creepy AI Video In Which Anthony Davis Points A Gun At His Head

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hands majority owner Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after Boston's 106-88 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2024 NBA Finals – Game Five

Group Led By Private Equity Ghoul Buys Boston Celtics For $6.1 Billion

Cade Cunningham celebrates a game-winner.

Cade Cunningham Is In Dude Mode

Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the San Antonio Spurs is joined by teammate Stephon Castle #5 and Flavor Fav at the end of the game against the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on March 19, 2025.

New York Knicks  v San Antonio Spurs

It’s The Damn Sandro Mamukelashvili Game

Kawhi Leonard

Hmm, What About The Clippers?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 03: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Portland Trail Blazers v Philadelphia 76ers

Quentin Grimes Is The Tragicomic Protagonist Of The Terminal NBA Season

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils looks over the court during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Duke v North Carolina

Where Should Cooper Flagg End Up?

Tyrese Haliburton rises up for the game-winner.

Tyrese Haliburton

The Pacers Drew Up A Beauty And Were Rewarded With A Miracle

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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Charles P. Pierce

Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at the TD Garden on January 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

New Orleans Pelicans v Boston Celtics

Payton Pritchard Brings The Hush

Evan Mobley drives past Giannis Antetokounmpo

Evan Mobley and Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Cavaliers Are Now Playing With Their Food

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Samer Kalaf

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Celtics Bring Lakers Back Down To Earth

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Basketball – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15

‘Court Of Gold’ Is Brilliant When It Gets Specific

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Giri Nathan

Draymond Green smiles at a press conference after being told that Karl-Anthony Towns did not miss a game because he was scared of Jimmy Butler, per Green's speculation, but because of the death of a family friend

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Draymond Green Pivots From Slander To Depraved Podcast Promo

<p>Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.</p>


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Alex Prewitt

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How “Ball Don’t Lie” Became More Than A Basketball Mantra

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts for the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets

JJ Redick Invented A New Way To Defend Nikola Jokic, And It’s Working

Darius Garland reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers Are Going To Take Some Getting Used To

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron Damn James

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 01: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of the game at the Wells Fargo Center on March 1, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Philadelphia 76ers

It’s Not A Real NBA Season Until Steve Kerr Complains About Traveling