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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

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on January 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 102-97. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves

Two Of Basketball’s Brightest Young Stars Will Compete For More Than A Trip To The Finals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors – Game Four

For A Limited Time

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 13: Luguentz Dort (5) of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to making a three pointer as Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepares for the inbound during the fourth quarter of OKC's 112-105 win at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

DENVER NUGGETS VS THUNDER, NBA

Nikola Jokic Is Outnumbered

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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.

Physicality Is Where Basketball Lives And Careers Die

Cyclists in a race are in the background. There is a house or wall on the left side of the road. There is a man in front, looking at the peloton, squatting halfway with his arms spread just past his knees. Next to him in the center of the road is a bicycle laid across the ground.

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Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book: Defector Rides A Bike

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)

Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks

How To Watch Basketball

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets sits on the bench after notching his 40th point during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 131-115 win over the LA Clippers

DENVER NUGGETS VS LA CLIPPERS, NBA

Jamal Murray Was Arrogant And Generous Enough To Craft Another Classic

Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

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Buddy Hield To The Rescue

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 27: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks is helped off the court after an apparent injury during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks – Game Four

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Dead

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 23, 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets – Game Two

Jalen Green Stops Killing The Rockets Long Enough To Kill The Warriors Instead

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons react after a call during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2025 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks – Game Two

Jalen Brunson Is The NBA’s Premier Falling-Down Artist

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Ty Jerome #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 121-100. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Miami Heat v Cleveland Cavaliers – Game One

See What Makes The Cavaliers Special Through The Ty Jerome Game

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David Roth

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Tom Ley

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Ray Ratto

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Luis Paez-Pumar

The Wyoming basketball team, left to right: Coach Everett Shelton; James Reese, forward; Milo Komenich, center; Kenny Sailors, forward; James Weir, guard; and Leon Brown, guard.

Coach Giving Instructions to Basketball Team

Silence! You Are Summoned To Read A Preview Of The 2025 NBA Playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Zach Edey #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies unsuccessfully goes up for a dunk on Quinten Post #21 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of the NBA play-in tournament game at Chase Center on April 15, 2025 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Edey

Zach Edey Is A Force

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson attend Michael Rubin's 2025 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at The Sugar Mill on February 08, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Fanatics)

2025 Fanatics Super Bowl Party

College Football

Bill Belichick’s Girlfriend Asks That Her Boyfriend’s Son Receive The “Upmost Respect”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on March 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA Playoffs Will Be A Clash Of Generations And Styles

Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce during the Adobe Women's FA Cup semi-final match at the Joie Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday April 12, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Manchester City v Manchester United – Adobe Women’s FA Cup – Semi Final – Joie Stadium

Soccer

Phallon Tullis-Joyce Makes Her Case As The USWNT Holds First Keeper Tryout In 30 Years

Team Visma-Lease a Bike's French rider Pauline Ferrand Prevot cycles in a breakaway during the fifth edition of the Paris-Roubaix women's race, 148,5 km between Denain and Roubaix, northern France on April 12, 2025. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

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Cycling

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s Quick Return Makes A Great Cycling Season Better

Head coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves leaves the court after a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on February 21, 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)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Houston Rockets

The Timberwolves Collapsed In The Worst Way At The Worst Time

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 06: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center on February 06, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Rockets 127-114. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves

Amen Thompson Breaks The Game

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 30: (L-R) Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer and owner Mat Ishbia attend the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever at Footprint Center on June 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Fever defeated the Mercury 88-82. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Indiana Fever v Phoenix Mercury

Here Lie The Phoenix Suns, Who Did It All Wrong

Team Visma-Lease a Bike's Belgian rider Wout van Aert (C) reacts at the end of the men's elite race 'Dwars Door Vlaanderen', 184,2 km from Roeselare to Waregem, on April 2, 2025. (Photo by DIRK WAEM / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT

CYCLING-BEL

Wout van Aert Tried So Hard To Win, He Forgot Not To Lose

Striking Touchstone route setters demonstrate in front of a California climbing gym.

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Climbing

There’s No Climbing Without Route Setters, And They’re On Strike

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 17: Head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies Taylor Jenkins looks on from the bench during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2025 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)