defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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-no-empty-space

Defector

headshot1

Patrick Redford

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 9: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Dallas Mavericks v Oklahoma City Thunder

Kyrie Irving Is Right Where He Needs To Be

Screenshot 2024-05-08 at 9.51.23 AM

Life's Rich Pageant

Ohio State Graduates Subjected To Commencement Speaker’s Cryptobabble And Bad Singing

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)

swiatek-sabalenka

Tennis

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

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 1: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers &amp; James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs- Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

It Is Happening Again To The Clippers

image0 (5)

Israel Daramola

-b9trzb

Lauren Theisen

GettyImages-112058854(1)

Defector Music Club

Chet Baker Sings, And Defector Music Club Chats

Counter protesters attack pro-Palestinian protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)

TOPSHOT-US-ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-EDUCATION-DEMO

Politics

UCLA Chooses Violence Over Divestment

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 29: The Oklahoma City Thunder talk to the media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v New Orleans Pelicans

How Far Can The Thunder Take This?

michael-porter-jr-curious-mike

There Are NBA Players With Interesting Podcasts, And Then There’s Michael Porter Jr.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 21: David Tepper looks on in the second quarter during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center on March 21, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

New Orleans Pelicans v Charlotte Hornets

David Tepper Throws Tantrum Over Restaurant Sign’s Gentle Draft Suggestion

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – 	New Orleans Pelicans v Oklahoma City Thunder

Underestimate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder At Your Peril

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to officials for a LA Clippers foul during a 96-93 Mavericks win in game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Luka Doncic Is Unshakeable

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is interviewed by the media after Round 1 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

That’s Why You Make The James Harden Trade

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a three point shot during the first half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 21, 2024 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 One

Damian Lillard’s Playoff Return Was Worth The Wait

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Former NFL player and Colorado Buffalos head coach Deion Sanders looks on prior to a game between the Arlington Renegades and Birmingham Stallions at Choctaw Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/UFL/Getty Images)

Birmingham Stallions v Arlington Renegades

College Football

Deion Sanders On Transferring Players: Bye Losers

IMG_6025-800

Albert Burneko

Image from iOS (36)

Luis Paez-Pumar

ratto-ray_400x400

Ray Ratto

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Dance Lessons for the Palace Club Basketball Team.

Dance Lessons for the Palace Club Basketball Team

For Literally The First Time Ever, A “Preview” Of The NBA Playoffs

New York Times Managing Editor Joseph Kahn gives the keynote speech at the Andrew Olle lecture 2017 at ICC darling Harbour on October 27, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

joe-kahn-nyt

Journalismism

The New York Times Ignores Reality In Pursuit Of Objectivity

A photographer of author James Baldwin smoking a cigarette.

James Baldwin Sitting Smoking A Cigarette

Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book Returns With ‘The Fire Next Time’

A man looks at a Tesla Cybertruck parked near the SpaceX Starship as it stands on the launch pad ahead of its third flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas on March 12, 2024. Elon Musk's SpaceX announced it was eyeing March 14 as the earliest date for the next test launch of its giant Starship rocket, with which it hopes to one day colonize Mars. Two previous attempts have ended in spectacular explosions, though the company has adopted a rapid trial-and-error approach in order to accelerate development. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

US-SPACE-AEROSPACE-SPACEX-STARSHIP

Capital

Cybertruck Deliveries Halted Due To Car Being A Big Piece Of Shit That Doesn’t Work

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 26: Abderrazak Hamdallah of Al Ittihad celebrates after scorer 1st goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Ittihad and Al Wehda at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on February 26, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Al-Ittihad v Al Wehda – Saudi Pro League

Soccer

Saudi Pro League Player Whipped By Incensed Fan

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 09: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the LA Clippers at Footprint Center on April 09, 2024 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns

Enter The Western Conference Anxiety Vortex

Screenshot 2024-04-09 at 10.26.05 AM

NAIA Becomes First Organization To Ban Trans Athletes From College Sports

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on March 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

New York Yankees v Houston Astros

MLB’s New Uniforms Continue To Suck Ass

Korbin Albert of the United States arrives at the field

USWNT Training

USWNT Stars Past And Present Condemn Rising Star Korbin Albert’s Noxious Internet Habits

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 7: Mat Ishbia speaks during a press conference announcing Phoenix as the host of the NBA All-Star 2027 on March 7, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

2027 All-Star Announcement

Mat Ishbia Revealed To Be Familiar Kind Of Asshole

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 21: Michael Jordan signed Sports Illustrated cover is on display during a press preview of The Olympic Collection at Sotheby's on July 21, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Sotheby’s Auctions Rare Olympic & Sports Memorabilia

Media Meltdowns

Sports Illustrated Owner Sues Former Publisher Over Bungled Leverage Play