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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Ray Ratto

(Original Caption) Lakers' Jerry West (C) is guarded closely by Celtics' Bill Russell (L) as he goes in for a layup, 3rd period, 1st game of championship playoffs of the NBA, Boston Garden (4/18). Celtics' Willie Naulls is on the right. Celtics won the game, 142-110.

Bill Russell Guarding Jerry West

Jerry West Never Left His Game

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever talks to the media before the game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena on June 07, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Indiana Fever v Washington Mystics

WNBA

The Olympic Roster Is Not Just A Marketing Tool

Aaliyah Edwards #24 of the Washington Mystics shoots a free throw during the game against the New York Liberty during a 2024 Commissioner's Cup game on June 9, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. 2024 NBAE

Washington Mystics v New York Liberty

The Mystics Are Losers Of Note

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics attempts to dunk the ball against P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

2024 NBA Finals – Game Two

The Celtics Are Winning Everywhere

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Patrick Redford

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Giri Nathan

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Tom Ley

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Albert Burneko

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Chris Thompson

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 7: Jontay Porter #34 of the Toronto Raptors arrives to the arena before the game against the Phoenix Suns on March 7, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors v Phoenix Suns

Gambling

How The Fix Gets In

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Fans cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dallas Stars v Edmonton Oilers – Game Six

Edmonton At The End

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 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)

Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Five

The Mavericks Have Met The Moment

FC Barcelona women's football team present their Champions League trophy to supporters from the balcony of the Catalan Regional Government headquarters one day after getting their third Champions League triumph, in Barcelona on May 26, 2024. The Catalans finally avenged final defeats by Lyon in 2019 and 2022 yesterday in Bilbao, beating the French giants 2-0 to lift the Champions League for the third time.

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Mods Asleep

Buy The T-Shirt, Not The Jersey

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Jeff McNeil #1 of the New York Mets reacts after popping out with the bases loaded during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of a doubleheader at Citi Field on May 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets – Game One

Meet The Mess

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 19: The main entrance of the Delta Center is seen with the "NHL in Utah" logos on April 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NHL has allowed the sale of the Arizona Coyotes and the team will relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

NHL Grants Arizona Coyotes Sale And Relocation To Utah

How Long Can It Possibly Take To Name A Team?

Sunrise, FL - May 8: Boston Bruins RW David Pastrnak fighting with Florida Panthers RW Matthew Tkachuk in the third period. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins (1) Vs Florida Panthers (6) At Amerant Bank Arena

The Boys Are Scrappin’

Luis Arraez #4 of the San Diego Padres reacts after hitting an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Chase Field on May 04, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.

San Diego Padres v Arizona Diamondbacks

The Marlins Surrendered In Record Time

Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks – Game Two

Basketball Is Just Better Without The Noise

Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley makes a thumbs up sign while waiting during free throws in an Eastern Conference Playoff game against the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks – Game One

Patrick Beverley Commits To Tantrum-Based Marketing For His Podcast

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 2: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – New York Knicks v Philadelphia 76ers

Fans

Michael Rubin Only Made Sure More Sixers Fans Could Watch Their Team Lose

Manchester City fans hold up a sign in protest of the charges brought against the club due to financial fair play during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Manchester City v Aston Villa – Premier League

Soccer

Mooted Salary Cap Threatens To Drag Premier League Further Into Hell, American Style

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets makes the game winning shot during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game Five of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

2024 NBA Playoffs – Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets

With King James Deposed, The Revolution In The West Has Only Just Begun

Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns – Game Four

The Timberwolves Are The Big Dogs Now

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees pitches in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on March 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

New York Yankees v Houston Astros

Great News! MLB Is Getting Rid Of Its Shitty New Uniforms. Next Season.

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 27: Detroit Lions fans and cheerleaders in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

NFL: APR 27 2023 Draft

The NFL Draft Is Sicko Prom

Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his goal with teammates against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Two of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 23, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

Tampa Bay Lightning v Florida Panthers – Game Two

The Panthers Might Love Overtime Even More Than We Do

Reggie Bush, University of Southern California tailback holds the Heisman Trophy during the 2005 Heisman Trophy presentation at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, New York on December 10, 2005.

NCAA Football – 2005 Heisman Trophy Presentation – December 10, 2005

College Football

Reggie Bush Gets Back The Heisman He Never Should Have Lost

Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves fouls Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Target Center on April 23, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Phoenix Suns v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Two

The Suns Are Two Losses From Organizational Disaster

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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- Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks

It’s Getting To Joel Embiid