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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

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Finals – Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics

Al Horford Earned It

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Billy Haisley

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Bukayo Saka of England reacts during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 7, 2024 in London, England.

England v Iceland – International Friendly

Soccer

A Guide To The 2024 Euros With A Depth Of Analysis Surpassed Only By Its Timeliness

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: Luka Dončić #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, 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 Heitman/Getty Images)

2024 NBA Finals – Game Three

Luka Doncic Embarrassed Himself

NBA reporters Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania

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Lakers’ Messy Coaching Search Revives The Scoopster Standoff Between Woj And Shams

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Giri Nathan

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 2: Corentin Moutet of France in action during Day 8 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marleen Fouchier/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

2024 French Open – Day 8

Tennis

The Defector Tennis Desk Bids Adieu To The French Open

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning match point against Alexander Zverev of Germany during the Men's Singles Final match on Day 15 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

2024 French Open – Day 15

Carlos Alcaraz Is Diamonds Under Pressure

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JUNE 08: Tim Weah #21 of the United States reacts during the second half against Colombia at Commanders Field on June 08, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Colombia v United States

The USMNT’s Loss To Colombia Was A Comprehensive Embarrassment

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 07: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain serves against Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Men's Singles Semi-Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

2024 French Open – Day 13

Carlos Alcaraz Conquers Jannik Sinner In Choppy Ninth Installment Of The Best Rivalry In Men’s Tennis

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Tom Ley

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Albert Burneko

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Chris Thompson

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Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 23, 2022 at the TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics

Behold The Defector NBA Finals Mega-Preview

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Sam Coffey #17 and Lily Yohannes #6 of the United States enter the field for warmups prior to playing the Korea Republic at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 01, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

South Korea v United States

Lily Yohannes Is The Truth

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Philadelphia 76ers

The Lakers’ Pursuit Of JJ Redick Keeps Getting Funnier

Members of the Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) held a parade through Chinatown to protest against the Communist Party of China in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 19, 2023. The Communist Party of China has allegedly tried to wipe out Falun Gong with torture and violence because of their beliefs. Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that brings together meditation, energy exercises and moral teachings as a means to cultivating the mind and body towards enlightenment. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto)

Members Of The Falun Gong Protest Against The Communist Party Of China

Media Meltdowns

Feds Accuse America’s Weirdest Media Company Of Being A Money-Laundering Front For The Falun Gong

Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka are competing during Roland Garros 2024 in Paris, France, on May 29, 2024. (Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto)

2024 French Open – Day 4

Let Us Consider The French Open’s Thrilling, Waterlogged First Week

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 06: Donte DiVincenzo #0, Jalen Brunson #11, and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks react against the Indiana Pacers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs 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. ()

Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks – Game One

Mods Asleep

Vinson Cunningham On The Knicks, Art, And How Basketball Can Help You Live Nobly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Sam Altman speaks onstage during A Year In TIME at The Plaza Hotel on December 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TIME)

A Year In TIME

Capital

Sam Altman’s Scarlett Johansson Whoopsie Is The True Future Of AI

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Boston Celtics v Indiana Pacers

The Celtics Were Finally Forced To Do Cool Stuff

PADOVA, ITALY - MAY 23: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates celebrates at podium as Blue Mountain Jersey winner during the 107th Giro d'Italia 2024, Stage 18 a 178km stage from Fiera di primiero to Padova / #UCIWT / on May 23, 2024 in Padova, Italy. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

107th Giro d’Italia 2024 – Stage 18

Cycling

Tadej Pogačar’s Domination Is A Terrifying Marvel To Behold

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 23: Domantas Sabonis, #8 of Unicaja Malaga in action during the 2013-2014 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 Date 4 game between FC Barcelona Regal v Unicaja Malaga at Palau Blaugrana on January 23, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images)

FC Barcelona Regal v Unicaja Malaga – Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16

NBA Reveals Inexplicably Pro-Kings Awards Voter

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 11: Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2024 in Dallas, 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 Heitman/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks – Game Three

Dereck Lively II Is The Man Of The Moment

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 25: Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

2024 NFL Draft – Round 1

Marvin Harrison Jr. Sued By Fanatics For Breaching Contract, Speaking To Pat McAfee

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, acknowledges the home support after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on May 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Arsenal FC v Everton FC – Premier League

Arsenal Loses The League With Its Head Held High

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Draymond Green Brings Nothing To ‘Inside The NBA’

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Kelsey McKinney

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David Roth

A photographer of author James Baldwin smoking a cigarette.

James Baldwin Sitting Smoking A Cigarette

Defector Reads A Book

Come And Sit By ‘The Fire Next Time’ With Defector Reads A Book

DALLAS, TX - MAY 13: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder Passed Their First Real Test

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 14: Bronny James #6 of the USC Trojans looks on in the second half of a quarterfinal game against the Arizona Wildcats during the Pac-12 Conference basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats defeated the Trojans 70-49. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

USC v Arizona

Bronny James Can’t Be Much Worse Than The Rest Of These Guys