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Defector

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 29, 2024 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Jonathan Kuminga Makes His Case

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center on December 02, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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)

The Lakers Cannot Stop Embarrassing Themselves

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings go for a loose ball in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 01, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This Is What Getting Left Behind Looks Like

Lily Yohannes of the United States looks to the ball

Soccer

Enjoy The Lily Yohannes Victory Lap

Forest Firefighters Entering Plane (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book Is Leaping Toward The Fire

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center on November 23, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

The Orlando Magic Are Just That

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Jamaica leg two of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

The Best And The Worst Of Christian Pulisic

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives against Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dyson Daniels Is On The Prowl

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three-point basket in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Emirates NBA Cup game at Golden 1 Center on November 15, 2024 in Sacramento, California.

Nobody Is Doing It Like De’Aaron Fox

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Ray Ratto

a still for the netflix movie hot frosty: lacey chabert in a beanie stands in front of a sexy snowman, holding a scarf

Arts And Culture

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘Hot Frosty’

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 10: Jared McCain #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Charlotte Hornets in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on November 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 107-105 in overtime. 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)

Jared McCain Is Seizing His Opportunity

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

The NBA In-Season Tournament Will Be A Referendum On The Regular Season

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Match Referee David Coote gestures during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Premier League Ref Admits Video Of Him Talking Wild Shit About Liverpool Not Actually A Deepfake

Running

Influencer Guy Disqualified And Banned From NYC Marathon For Bringing Bikes Onto Course

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 03: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Cowboys Are In The Pain Zone

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)

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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Luis Paez-Pumar

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)