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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.

Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Players, Philip Bernstein, (left) and David Middleton as players fill the tables for a poker game at Pete's 881 Club, on Friday April 6, 2012, in San Rafael, Ca.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Jan. 8: Going Bowling

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Magic Johnson and Josh Harris watch the Commanders play football.

Commanders Assemble Funky Advisory Committee To Fix Team

Billy Haisley

Joao Pedro of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Stoke City and Brighton and Hove Albion at Bet365 Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Stoke on Trent, England.

Soccer

Brighton Runs On João Pedro Power

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

Hamilton Nolan

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs off the field during halftime against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Jaguars Junction: Week 18

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs high fives teammates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 7, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Here Are Some Photos Of Victor Wembanyama Being Impossible

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Low angle view of moon against clear sky at night

Science

Is There A Better Way To Honor Your Dog Than Littering The Moon?

Creaturefector

Wolf Spiders, Actually, Are All Around

Antoine Mille takes a penalty in a Coupe de France match between Chateauroux and Les Herbiers.

When Keeping It Highlight Reel Goes Wrong: Panenka Edition

Israel Daramola

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Jets Players Inspired By Guy Who Spent Most Of The Season In Malibu Talking To Pat McAfee

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace is challenged by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jack Harrison of Everton, leading to a red card for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on January 04, 2024 in London, England.

Game’s Gone

Lauren Theisen

Kevin Von Erich poses at The Iron Claw premiere

Pro Wrestling

‘The Iron Claw’ And The Real Von Erich Story Go Together Like Pizza And Muffins

Sean T. Collins has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Decider, Pitchfork, and many others. He lives with his family on Long Island.

Sean T. Collins

TOM WILKINSON as Arthur Edens in Michael Clayton

Defector At The Movies

Tom Wilkinson And His Baguettes Are Eternal

Barry Petchesky

Neptune’s A Pale Blue Fraud!

Tom Ley

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the game winner three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 4, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. J

Nikola Jokic Is In One Of His Can’t-Miss Moods

Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo get their limbs tangled.

Wemby Versus Giannis Could Not Have Been Any Cooler

Patrick Redford

Logo for The Messenger, with letters flickering out and then going blank. First the 'h', then the 'nge', then the 'T e e r.' Blue background, white text.

Journalismism

The Messenger Is Circling The Drain

David Roth

Michael Penix Jr, seen here pointing at The Distraction logo at upper left during Washington's win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl on 1/1/2024.

Podcasts

Wolfgang Amadeus Penix Jr.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis cross paths.

The Lakers Are Too Healthy To Be This Grumpy

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball for yardage away from Terrion Arnold #3 and Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during second half of the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 27-20 in overtime. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

What Happens When Players Start Opting Out Of The College Football Playoff?

EDMONTON, CANADA ? NOVEMBER 3: Patrik Stefan #27 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Edmonton Oilers during their game at Rexall Place on November 3, 2006 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Stars defeated the Oilers 3-2. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

I Still Can’t Believe Patrik Stefan Missed The Net

Luke Littler reacts after victory over Rob Cross (not pictured) on day fifteen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)

Darts

Darts World Captivated By 16-Year-Old Lad Who Loves Kebabs

Ivan Martin (Girona FC) celebrates with his teammates after scoring during La Liga football match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid, at Montilivi Stadium on January 3, 2024 in Girona, Spain. Foto: Siu Wu

Girona Is Wide Awake

Arts And Culture

How ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Made Great Art Out Of Great Pain

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1921: Conrad Veidt as "Cesare" in the film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". Photograph. 1921