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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

Tom Ley

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2023 NBAE

Russell Westbrook Is Always Himself

David Roth

The United States Supreme Court building seen from a distance, through a window, from inside a darkened room.

Politics

The Art Of American Conservatism

Patrick Redford

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James Got Some Help From His Secondary Buddies

Samer Kalaf

Fernando Tatis Jr. hits a homer in Sunday's minor league baseball game

Triple-A Pitchers Must Be Thrilled That Fernando Tatis Jr. Is Leaving

The rapper E-40 yells at arena security personnel before being escorted from courtside seating during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings

E-40 Says Kings Security Wrongfully Ejected Him From Game 1

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings lights the beam after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 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 Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Sacramento Worships Beneath The First Playoff Beam

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

Jalen Brunson’s Departure Might Haunt The Mavs For A While

Albert Burneko

Old-timey black-and-white basketball photo

A Timely Preview Of The 2023 NBA Playoffs, Almost Certainly Including All Of The Participants

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

A Surreal, Chum-Choked Plunge Through Ja Morant’s Countersuit Against A Teen Boy

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<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>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 4: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2023 NBAE

When Domantas Sabonis Leads The Kings Into The Playoffs, I Hope Dale Brown Is Watching

Barry Petchesky

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 13: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks acknowledges fans after his final game as a Blackhawk at United Center, against the Philadelphia Flyers, on April 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jonathan Toews’s Silence Wasn’t Always A Virtue


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Rockies Mascot Avoids Clean Double Leg Takedown, Assailant Avoids Capture [UPDATE: Captured]

Luis Paez-Pumar

Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts after scoring an own goal to make it 2-2 during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match between Manchester United and Sevilla FC at Old Trafford on April 13, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Soccer

Manchester United Scores Four Goals, Draws 2-2

Fernando Tatis Jr. rounds the bases for the Padres, during spring training.

El Niño Is Approaching

A photo with added illustration of Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, with his tongue sticking waaaaay out to the side. As in, it almost reaches his jacket collar.

SnyderWatch: Dan Snyder Comes One Big Step Closer To Selling The Commanders

Israel Daramola

Arts And Culture

How Did Hip-Hop Media Get So Bad?

Illustration: ChatGPT, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, China, 12 April 2023. ChatGPT stocks fell as a group, with Microsoft down more than 5 percent, Amazon down more than 2 percent, Nvidia (NVDA.US) and Baidu down more than 1 percent. Amid concerns over AI security, companies such as OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Nvidia gathered to discuss standards for the development and use of AI technology.

Journalismism

Insider Boss To Employees: Please Make Good Use Of This Lying Plagiarism Machine

Giri Nathan

Zion Williamson looks on from the sidelines

Where Was Zion Williamson, And Where Will He Be?

White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa upends Twins outfielder Byron Buxton in a collision near second base on April 12, 2023.

The White Sox Are The Most Dangerous Team In Baseball*

Laura Wagner

Elder Wisdom

What Can A Hoop Do?

Luka Doncic smiling, kind of, for the camera before an early April Mavericks game against the Bulls in which he did not play.

Podcasts

Scuffing Up The Gossip, With Kelsey McKinney

Lauren Theisen

Ryan Mountcastle celebrates with teammates

Every Orioles Game Is An Adventure

Frank Lampard, Caretaker Manager of Chelsea, looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.