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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

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

My Yang right, and Pang Nhia of Minneapolis look for CD's at the Sam Goody store in City Center in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday.

Funbag

What’s The Worst CD You’ve Ever Purchased?

Lauren Theisen

Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens sits on the bench

Ravens Release Justin Tucker, Claim It’s A “Football Decision”

Luis Paez-Pumar

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Soccer

Trent Alexander-Arnold Gave Liverpool Everything It Needed

Ray Ratto

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on October 21, 2017.

Gregg Popovich Was Too Far Ahead To Be Patient

Barry Petchesky

TORONTO, ON - MAY 5 - Referee Chris Rooney (5) blows the play dead as Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) lays on the ice as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in the first game of their second round series of the NHL Stanley Cup Play-offs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. May 5, 2025. Steve Russell/Toronto Star

It Wouldn’t Be A Panthers Postseason Without A Cheap Shot By Sam Bennett

Tom Ley

Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the fourth quarter of Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on May 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

That Was All Mark’s Dang Fault

Dave McKenna

Undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue (R) punches Ramon Cardenas in the fourth round of their title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inoue retained his titles with an eighth-round TKO.

The Fights

Naoya Inoue And Ramon Cardenas Salvaged Boxing’s Meek Weekend

Kathryn Xu

Frederic Vasseur speaks on the phone outside of the Ferrari garage in the Miami International Autodrome paddock.

Racing

It’s Another Ferrari Radio Meltdown Classic

Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets stands on the ice in front of the Whiteout crowd prior to puck drop

Connor Hellebuyck Earned A Reprieve

Niko Stratis

Jakob Dylan, in 1997, singing in front of a microphone. He has short curly hair, maybe has a little beard, and he's in a long sleeve collared button-front shirt. He's playing guitar. In the corner there's an image of a book cover: The Dad Rock That Made Me A Woman, by Niko Stratis

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

Got To Be Something Better Than In The Middle

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a headshot for Charla Burnett, a fired science for development fellow at USAID

Interviews

An Interview With A Fired Science For Development Fellow At USAID

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 26: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2025 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

How To Watch Basketball

Maitreyi Anantharaman

An Indianapolis Colts fan reacts after the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Crosswords

The Crossword, May 5: Ice Queens

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Pacers Out-Styled The Cavaliers And Swiped Home-Court Advantage

Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Houston Rockets after making a three-point basket during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

Sometimes It’s The Buddy Hield Game

WINNIPEG, CANADA - MAY 4: Winnipeg Jets players salute the fans following a 4-3 double overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canada Life Centre on May 4, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

They’ll Talk About That One In Winnipeg Forever

Brandy Jensen

Arts And Culture

‘The Settlers’ Makes Louis Theroux Say What He Thinks

three bone collector caterpillars, which are caterpillars covered in the bodies of insects they've eaten

Creaturefector

The Very Grisly Caterpillar

a close-up shot of a large gray bird called a harpy eagle looking unrepentant in a tree

Yes, I Attacked That Woman, And I’d Do It Again

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets goes berzerk after dunking and taking a technical for hanging on the rim theatrically during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 120-101 series-clinching win over the LA Clippers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The Denver Nuggets defeated the LA Clippers 4-3 in their best-of-seven NBA Playoffs series.

Nikola Jokic’s Friends Showed Up When He Needed Them Most

David Roth

Donald Trump and Terry Moran in conversation in the extremely cluttered Oval Office during an ABC News interview.

Politics

Talking To The President

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - MAY 01: in the third period of Game Six of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center on May 01, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)

Wild Fans, This Is Just Your Life Now

HBO Sports boxing commentator Jim Lampley provides commentary as he previews the upcoming WBC Heavyweight Championship fight for television viewers between James Toney and Hasim Rahman at Boardwalk Hall on March 18, 2006 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Jim Lampley Knows Friday Night’s Alright For Fighting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 10: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the pre-season game against Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.