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Patrick Redford

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 124-109. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Playing Like Milwaukee Butt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Shoves Author Of Weird Column About Him Shaming The Memory Of His Dead Brother

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder leaves the court after the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 24, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Chet Holmgren Is The Future, Too

Kelsey McKinney

Giri Nathan

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Women's world chess champion, Vera Menchik (1916 - 1944, left) and Sonia Graf (1908 - 1965) competing in the British Chess Federation Major Open in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, UK, 11th July 1935. Menchik finished the tournament in third place with Graf in seventh. (Photo by Harry Todd/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Defector Reads A Book

Sit Down Across The Board With Sally Rooney’s ‘Intermezzo’

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 27: Jameis Winston #5 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after his team's 29-24 win against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on October 27, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Browns Win Because Of, Despite Jameis Winston

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

These Lakers Already Feel Different

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates against the Houston Rocketsduring the second half at Toyota Center on October 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

The Hornets Are Under Construction, But LaMelo Ball Is Still Really Fun To Watch

Albert Burneko

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


Chris Thompson

Luis Paez-Pumar

Ray Ratto

Tom Ley

A circa-1900 black-and-white photo of basketball players receiving dance lessons from a lady in a flapper hat and dress.

A Preview Of The 2024-25 NBA Season, Accurately Enumerating Everything That Will Happen In It

Chess

Teenage Grandmaster Christopher Yoo Booted From U.S. Championships, Arrested After Post-Loss Meltdown

Steve Ballmer speaks onstage at the Intuit Dome opening night event held at Intuit Dome on August 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Clippers Fans, And Only Clippers Fans, Can Now Buy Alcohol At 3:17 In The Morning In California

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: The Oakland Athletics mascot, Stomper, waves to the crowd after the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 26, 2024 in Oakland, California. Today will be the final Athletics game played at the Coliseum. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The A’s Are Oakland’s No More

Journalismism

The Truth Is An Inconvenience For Jake Tapper And Dana Bash

A splitscreen image. On the left, New York magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi. On the right, former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Media Meltdowns

Sending Horny Texts To RFK Jr. Is Not A Public Service

New York Magazine Suspends Olivia Nuzzi Over “Inappropriate Relationship” With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN discussing trade proposals for Jerami Grant

What Is The Cost Of A Woj Bomb?

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros points to his foot after grounding out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 17, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Jose Altuve Ejected For Showing Feet

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Marc Hirschi of Switzerland and UAE Team Emirates celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 44th Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2024 a 236km one day race from San Sebastian to San Sebastian / #UCIWT / on August 10, 2024 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Cycling

Marc Hirschi Is Finally Flying Free Again

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 21: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Lynx in the second quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 21, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ian Maule/Getty Images)

WNBA

A’ja Wilson’s Game Is Joyfully Precise

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (52) celebrates after robbing a home run to end the MLB game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 10, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

It’s A Bad Day To Be A Fly Ball When Pete Crow-Armstrong Is Around

Hans Niemann’s Return To The Big Stage Didn’t Go So Hot

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Browns 33-17. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

New Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Deshaun Watson

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 16: Fans check in at the ESPN Bet members lounge to receive Callaway golf balls on the 13th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America via Getty Images)

Gambling

Penn’s ESPN Bet Scheme Looks Increasingly Grim

US Chess grandmaster Hans Niemann speaks to the press in the run-up to the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, on January 11, 2024. Niemann was previously accused of cheating by former world champion Norway's Magnus Carlsen, but the two have now ended their feud. (Photo by Olaf KRAAK / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Hans Niemann And Magnus Carlsen Are, Somehow, Going At It Again

LUGO, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Red Bull Bora - hansgrohe prior to the La Vuelta - 79th Tour of Spain 2024 - Stage 13 a 176km stage from Lugo to Puerto de Ancares 1659m / #UCIWT / on August 30, 2024 in Lugo, Spain. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)