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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.

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Defector

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Patrick Redford

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 13: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against Zach Edey #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Toyota Center on January 13, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Memphis Grizzlies v Houston Rockets

The Basketball Is Really Good Right Now

Normal Gossip: portraits

Alex Sujong Laughlin

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Ray Ratto

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

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Typing

Sabrina Imbler

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Kathryn Xu

Smoker writing in her diary 1969

Arts And Culture

‘The Artist’s Way’ Week 1: Our Hands Hurt

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.

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Drew Magary

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 29: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York.

New York Jets v Buffalo Bills

Funbag

End Play-Clock Abuse!

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Luis Paez-Pumar

SS Lazio mascotte eagle Olimpia with the falconer Juan Bernabe on the pitch after the Serie A TIM match between SS Lazio and US Lecce - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on January 14, 2024 in Rome, Italy.

SS Lazio v US Lecce – Serie A TIM

Soccer

Lazio Fires Fascist Falconer For Posting Penis Implant Pictures

Ashwin Rodrigues is a <a href="https://ashwinrodrigues.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ashwinrodrigues.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736881844399000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2gTYrT5B9gKSQ8eCIDai5A">freelance writer</a> and Arsenal supporter living in New York. His work has been featured in GQ, Fast Company, Vice, Wired and other publications.

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Ashwin Rodrigues

An Arsenal fan wearing a shirt that reads "Mr. Gooner"

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Life's Rich Pageant

A Tale Of Two Gooners

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 13: Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Minnesota Vikings v Los Angeles Rams

Sam Darnold Found His Destiny. It Was In The Toilet

The Philadelphia 76ers' home arena in South Philly.

Sixers arena

76ers Not Moving Across Town After All

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Washington Commanders Kicker Zane Gonzalez (47) kicks the game winning field goal during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 12, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

NFL: JAN 12 NFC Wild Card Playoffs – Commanders at Buccaneers

Kickers Live Their Lives For All To See

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 10: Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Boston Celtics

Doug Christie Gives The Surprising Kings The Freedom To Be Good

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2024.

Dallas Cowboys v Carolina Panthers

Mike McCarthy, Who Couldn’t Escape The Cowboys, Escapes The Cowboys

Isaiah Collier huddles with fellow Jazz players.

Isaiah Collier

Isaiah Collier Screws Up, Enrages Teammate, Forces Utah Jazz To Win A Basketball Game

Antoine E. Davis is an incarcerated journalist in Washington State. He is a licensed pastor for Freedom Church of Seattle, and Inside Director of Organizing for Look2Justice, an organization that provides civic education to system-impacted communities and works to pass sentence and policy-reform legislation. His writing has been published by Christianity Today, The Guardian, Plough Magazine, The Appeal, and more. Follow him on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/antoineedavis">@antoineedavis</a>.

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Antoine E. Davis

fantasy-football

“I Dare Not Talk About Nico Collins”: Incarcerated Fantasy Football Managers Reflect On The Season

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on against the Minnesota Wild in the third period at Xcel Energy Center on December 12, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Oilers defeated the Wild 7-1.

Edmonton Oilers v Minnesota Wild

Crosswords

The Crossword, Jan. 13: You Don’t Mean That

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Tom Ley

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets

Russell Westbrook Is Enjoying The Nikola Jokic School For Wayward Careers

Dave McKenna

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Doink Heard ’Round The Beltway

Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after being sacked in the second half during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Los Angeles Chargers v Houston Texans

The Texans Told Justin Herbert To Take A Seat

Consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns smiles on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cleveland Browns

Mike Vrabel Finds His Landing Spot

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens stiff arms Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football wild card playoff game at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens Ran ‘Em Over

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 3: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic leaves the court following the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 3, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

Orlando Magic v Toronto Raptors

Injury Luck Is All About Timing

A little girl completes a jigsaw puzzle delivered to her by Santa Claus, 24th December 1938.

Christmas Puzzle

Life Lessons

It’s Puzzling Time

a silvery fish called a delta smelt in a litle cup

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Politics

This Week In Maligned Little Fish

during the NFL week 10 match between the Jackson Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys at Wembley Stadium on November 9, 2014 in London, England.

Jacksonville Jaguars v Dallas Cowboys

Why Does The NFL Hate London So Much?

Jen Ramos Eisen is a Central California-based minor league baseball writer.

Jen Ramos Eisen

of Team Japan pitches during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game against Team Mexico in 2023.

World Baseball Classic Semifinals: Mexico v Japan

All Of MLB Is Chasing Roki Sasaki

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate following the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 09 CFP Semifinal Capital One Orange Bowl – Notre Dame vs Penn State

College Football

Notre Dame Derangement Syndrome Is Real

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David Roth

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks out of the tunnel before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia

Pittsburgh Steelers v Philadelphia Eagles

Podcasts

Los Angeles Is A Football Town, With Diana Moskovitz

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