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Defector

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Scoot Henderson celebrates after being drafted third overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Blazers Are At A Fascinating Crossroads

Shams Charania gestures during an interview.

Media Meltdowns

Shams Charania’s Whoopsie Sure Made Someone A Lot Of Money

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 29: Bill Simmons is seen on March 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by gotpap/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Bill Simmons Finds Himself In Row Across The Pond After Slagging Off Harry And Meghan

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 18: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Soccer

Folarin Balogun Is Exactly Who The USMNT Has Been Waiting For

VILLARS-SUR-OLLON, SWITZERLAND - MAY 01: Gino Mader of Switzerland and Team Bahrain Victorious celebrates the second place on the podium after the 75th Tour De Romandie 2022 - Stage 5 on May 1, 2022 in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images,)

Cycling

Gino Mäder Had Too Much More To Give

SAINT LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Naomi Girma #27 of the United States warming up before a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images).

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Naomi Girma

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Oakland Athletics fans display signs during a reverse boycott game against the Tampa Bay Rays at RingCentral Coliseum on June 13, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)

Oakland A’s Fans Held A Raucous Wake For Their Team

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with his daughter Ognjena after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

Nikola Jokic’s Tiny Adorable Daughter Is Now An NBA Champion

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Jamal Murray Became A Champion And His Best Self All At Once

Riders shake their heads in confusion as they pass a car on the race course.

Cycling Race Canceled After Riders Call Out Organizers For Letting Them Compete In Open Traffic

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 31: Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the ninth inning of their MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Rogers Centre on May 31, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Anthony Bass Tossed From Major-League Roster

JERSEY CITY, NJ - JUNE 8: The sun is shrouded as it rises in a smokey sky behind the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and One Vanderbilt in New York City on June 8, 2023, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Climate

It’s All The Same Fire

DeChambeau begins his interview with Collins, minutes before he gets to the 9/11 stuff

Golf

The LIV-PGA Shit-Eating Tour Is A Marvel To Behold

Gollum looks around; where are the buttholes?

Video Games

The Video Game Where You Play As A Tortured Wretch Isn’t Very Fun

DENVER, CO - JUNE 4: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets on June 4, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Miami Punches Back

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a 104-93 victory against the Miami Heat in Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 01, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Two Plays That Defined Nikola Jokic’s Brilliant Finals Debut

Eric Lewis #42 looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 2023 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Someone Tweeted NBA Referee Eric Lewis Out Of An NBA Finals Assignment

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 14 : Fans cheering to game stage during the 2018 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational Groups Stage at the EU LCS Studio on May 14, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games via Getty Images)

Capital

The ‘League Of Legends’ Walkout Is A Warning

Primoz Roglic getting the push he needed.

Primoz Roglic Got A Little Push From A Pal In His Quest For Redemption

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 8: Crystal Dunn #19 of the United States passes the ball during the first half against the Republic of Ireland in a 2023 International Friendly match at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Crystal Dunn

The Messenger's white-text on blue-field logo.

Journalismism

The Messenger Hasn’t Yet Disrupted Anything But Its Own Newsroom

Steph Curry carves a Bored Ape ice sculpture.

The NBA’s New Social Justice Champion Has A Few Demerits

Moments after disaster, when Bettio crashes.

The Giro d’Italia Has Turned Into A Hazardous Slog

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2023 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

CHICAGO,IL - MAY 16: Managing Partner Peter J. Holt of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates receiving the 1st Pick during the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place on May 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)