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<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Bradley Beal #3, Josh Okogie #2, Isaiah Thomas #4 and Thaddeus Young #30 of the Phoenix Suns react on the bench during the second half of game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. They all look very sad.

A Post-Season Debrief With The World’s (Still) Most Pessimistic Suns Fan

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


Chris Thompson

Please Give Us Paul Skenes Now, Before His Elbow Kerplodes

<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

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 13, 2024 at Golden 1 Center 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Funbag

LeBron Can’t Be A Player-Coach

Billy Haisley

West Ham United manager David Moyes (centre), first team coach Kevin Nolan (right) and player Michail Antonio (left) during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Sunday May 5, 2024.

Soccer

The Game Has Once Again Passed David Moyes By

Lauren Theisen

A giant replica of Stanley Cup, on April 17, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)

A Bandwagoner’s Guide To The Second Round Of The Stanley Cup Playoffs

Barry Petchesky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a play during the second half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2024 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

A Humble Knicks Fan’s Take On The Officiating In Game 1

Tom Ley

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts to pass over Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

The Nuggets Have Been Exposed For All To See

Arts And Culture

What’s In A Frame?

Patrick Redford

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Iga Swiatek of Poland meet at the net prior to the Women's Singles Final match on Day Twelve of Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 04, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tennis

Iga Swiatek And Aryna Sabalenka Bring Out The Best In Each Other

Israel Daramola

Kendrick Lamar performing on stage at the Glastonbury music festival in England in June 2022.

Kendrick Lamar And Drake Battle For The Lowest Blow

<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">Corbin Smith is a writer and photographer from Vancouver, Washington. His work has appeared in Deadspin, The Daily Beast, and <em>Rolling Stone</em>. He is also the host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pacific-northwest-insurance-corporation-moviefilm/id1712416222"><em>The Pacific Northwest Insurance Corporation Moviefilm Podcast,</em></a> a podcast about movies.</div>
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Corbin Smith

Joe Montana attends the FanDuel Fantasy Golf Classic on July 11, 2017 in New York City.

Gambling

Sports Is Betting It All On Gambling

Ray Ratto

Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres reacts after hitting an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Chase Field on May 04, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Marlins Surrendered In Record Time

Luis Paez-Pumar

Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 Team celebrates his win during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 5, 2024 in Miami, United States.

Racing

Lando Norris Finally Did It

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


Nicholas Russell

Music

Cindy Lee’s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ Is A Gift Worth Savoring

Maitreyi Anantharaman

German-Kurdish opera singer-soprano Pervin Chakar performs during a concert.

Crosswords

The Crossword, May 6: Cinderella Tails

Basketball Is Just Better Without The Noise

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball over Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets during the game during Round 2 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Anthony Edwards Is Forcing Me To Say The Unsayable

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 leads the field off the line at the start during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 04, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

F1’s Miami Theme Park Crushed Me With The Weight Of Wealth

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Abraham Toro #31 and Tyler Nevin #26 after Rooker hit a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins in the bottom of the third inning on May 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The home run was Rooker's second home run of the inning. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Let’s All Say Nice Things About The Oakland A’s

Dave McKenna

Hundreds of hopefuls try out for the Albany Empires Arena Football League team at Sportsplex Saturday Jan. 27, 2018 in Halfmoon, NY. (Photo by John Carl D'Annibale /Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

Arena Football

Is The Newest Arena Football League Already Collapsing?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his over time winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Leafs Are Not Enough

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

An NYPD officer in riot gear looms over a student protestor on the ground and appears to be gripping her arm.

Margin Of Error

Going Off Script

Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley makes a thumbs up sign while waiting during free throws in an Eastern Conference Playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.

Patrick Beverley Commits To Tantrum-Based Marketing For His Podcast

Samer Kalaf

A line of police at City College during pro-Gaza demonstrations

Interviews

A City College Student Journalist Shares What He Saw During The NYPD Crackdown

<p>John Loeppky is a freelance writer and theatre artist currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared for outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, CBC, and <em>Maclean’s</em>.</p>


John Loeppky

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 04: "La Beaute et le Geste" exhibition by French Artist Laurent Perbos is displayed in front of the French National assembly ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on April 04, 2024 in Paris, France. On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the National Assembly celebrates sport by welcoming the visual artist Laurent Perbos and his 6 metamorphosed Venus de Milo. A universally known work, the Venus here finds her arms and is endowed attributes of six sporting disciplines: tennis, surfing, para archery, basketball, boxing and javelin throwing. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)