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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On July 15

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Live Event

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Ace Bailey (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 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)

2025 NBA Draft – Round One

After All That, Ace Bailey Ends Up In Utah

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Media Meltdowns

ESPN’s NBA Finals Coverage Was A Pretty Rough Watch

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 13: Andrew Nembhard #2 celebrates with Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 13, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Pacers 114-105. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers – Game Five

The Pacers Were Too Cool To Make Sense

Basketball: NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss victorious holding Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy with Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (L) and Bob McAdoo after winning game and series vs Boston Celtics at Boston Garden. Game 6.

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers, 1985 NBA Finals

With The Lakers Sale, The NBA’s Old Ownership Class Is Nearly Extinct

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic #10, and Tyler Adams #4 on the field after playing Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League third place match at SoFi Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

United States v Canada: Third Place Match – CONCACAF Nations League

Soccer

The USMNT Is Going Nowhere

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 13: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers attempts a layup against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

2025 NBA Finals – Game Four

Finals Good As Hell

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David Roth

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Kathryn Xu

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Brandy Jensen

Cyclists in a race are in the background. There is a house or wall on the left side of the road. There is a man in front, looking at the peloton, squatting halfway with his arms spread just past his knees. Next to him in the center of the road is a bicycle laid across the ground.

tim-krabbe-the-rider

Defector Reads A Book

Tim Krabbe’s ‘The Rider’ Won Us Over By Losing

Why ‘The Rider’ Is The Best Sports Book I’ve Ever Read

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21: Veronica Burton (center) #22 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates with her team after the Valkyries beat the Washington Mystics at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Washington Mystics v Golden State Valkyries

WNBA

The Golden State Valkyries Are Beloved And Ahead Of Schedule

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 04: Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 04, 2025 in Houston, 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 Warner/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets

Aaron Wiggins Is The Key To Understanding OKC’s Revolutionary Depth

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz holds the trophy after winning the men's singles final match against Italy's Jannik Sinner on day 15 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on June 8, 2025.

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Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz Wins The Match Of A Lifetime

Paris, France - June 7: Coco Gauff of United States with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy after her victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

2025 French Open – Day Fourteen

Coco Gauff Won’t Be Rattled

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Albert Burneko

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Tom Ley

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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Ray Ratto

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Before You Is The Defector Mega-Preview Of The 2025 NBA Finals. Kneel!