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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

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


Chris Thompson

Racing

How Much Will Red Bull Racing Endure To Stand By Christian Horner?

Ray Ratto

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (second from left) and the bench react to a slam dunk by Boston Celtics guard Svi Mykhailiuk (not pictured) in the fourth quarter. The Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors, 140-88.

The Celtics Served The Warriors A Beating, And The NBA A Message

Lauren Theisen

Sting puts the scorpion death lock on Matthew Jackson in his last match

Pro Wrestling

Sting Went Out Crazier Than He Came In

Israel Daramola

David Roth

Giri Nathan

Patrick Redford

Radiohead performing onstage in support of their 2007 album "In Rainbows," with the Defector Music Club logo right in the middle.

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Reviews The People’s Radiohead Album

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Englishmen in Paris gathered in Galignani’s library, 1820. English gentlemen read books, newspapers and periodicals. Doctor Syntax discovered by his wife in a bookshop. Handcoloured copperplate drawn and engraved by Charles Williams from Doctor Syntax in Paris; or a Tour in Search of the Grotesque, W. Wright, London, 1820.

Interviews

“It Really Matters If Somebody Has Bad Taste”: An Interview With Book Critic Becca Rothfeld

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Goalkeeper Alex Cavallini of the United States competes during the ice hockey women's gold medal game of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Crosswords

The Crossword, March 4: Double Team

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Michael Rubin attends Michael Rubin's MLBPA x Fanatics party at City Market Social House on July 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

Michael Rubin Will Never Get The Benefit Of The Doubt With Crummy Sports Apparel

Billy Haisley

Phil Foden of Manchester City scores a goal to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 3, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Soccer

Phil Foden Paints Manchester Sky Blue

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Nuggets Own The Lakers

Max Verstappen of Netherland and Oracle Red Bull Racing lift the winner trophy of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on March 02, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain.

New Formula 1 Season, Same Old Max Verstappen

Paul Pogba of Juventus in a match against Torino on December 1, 2012.

The Failure Of Paul Pogba

Andrey Rublev yells at a linesperson at the Dubai Open.

Tennis

Andrey Rublev Defaulted From Dubai Open After Russian-Speaking Linesperson Says He Cussed


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Two adult male humpback whales. one whale has its penis inserted into the genital opening of the whale below it An injury is visible on the mandible of the whale underneath.

Creaturefector

Fleeting Joy, Unexpected Despair, And Eventual Peace; Or, The Time I Learned About Two Gay Humpback Whales


<p>Jay Willis is a writer who covers law and democracy. His work has appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. He is the editor-in-chief at Balls &amp; Strikes, an outlet for progressive commentary on the legal system.</p>


Jay Willis

Giant portraits of the news anchors at Fox News headquarters building in New York City. Very cursed image.

Journalismism

Tim Burke’s Indictment Is A Political Choice Disguised As A Legal Act

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Mother trying to make daughter (4-5) finish food at table. It's an old stock photo from the 1940s.

Dadfector

A Taxonomy Of Mom Sounds

Tom Ley

Victor Wembanyama shoots a basketball over Chet Holmgren

We Are Hurtling Toward The Age Of Wembanyama

Timothee Chalamet's Paul Atreides addressing the Fremen in Dune: Part Two.

Arts And Culture

‘Dune: Part Two’ Is Big, Bold, Loud, And Still Missing Something

Samer Kalaf

The New York Times Ignores Intense Scrutiny Of Its Oct. 7 Report

A screenshot of Last Epoch, showing a knight overlooking a light-up city

Video Games

I Love A Good Mid-Budget Video Game

A guest wears new Apple Vision Pro outside Bora Aksu during London Fashion Week February 2024 on February 16, 2024 in London, England.

Podcasts

The Future Doesn’t Work, With Ed Zitron

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a116-112 win against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2024 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LeBron James Might Just Keep Doing This Forever

Diddy attends The After hosted by Diddy &amp; Doja Cat powered by Ciroc Premium Vodka and DeLeon Tequila at Club Love on May 01, 2023 in New York City.

What To Take From The Latest Suit Against Diddy

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<div>Casey Taylor is a writer living and working in Pittsburgh. He is currently writing a book for St. Martin&#8217;s Press about cannabis religions, Haile Selassie I, and the Cold War in the Caribbean. He also writes a free newsletter called <a href="https://weedchurch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://weedchurch.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1709306863919000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mVH2xiID6S0zvlyj6yHco">Weed Church</a> covering foolish spiritual things that occur to him. His work has appeared in The New Republic, WIRED, New York Magazine, and a sports blog he can’t currently recall the name of. You can <a href="mailto:caseyt7@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> him if you’d like.</div>
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Casey Taylor

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: A person holds a sign during a vigil for U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell at the US Army Recruiting Office in Times Square on February 27, 2024 in New York City. Bushnell died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC on Sunday. In a video that was posted to a social media account showing the act, he stated that would “no longer be complicit in genocide," before pouring an unknown liquid over himself and igniting it while yelling “Free Palestine” repeatedly. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Politics

Why Did Aaron Bushnell Burn?

Connor McDavid scores the overtime game winner against Jordan Binnington

Connor McDavid Is Bored By The Remarkable

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Clark Hunt owner of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after winning Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)