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Tom Ley

Why Did Adam Schefter Write “Composite Matchups” Like This?

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets throws a no-look alley-oop pass to Aaron Gordon #32 against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 21, 2025 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.

How The Hell Is Nikola Jokic Doing This?

Announcements

Transactions, January 17

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 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.

Russell Westbrook Is Enjoying The Nikola Jokic School For Wayward Careers

Consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns smiles on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mike Vrabel Finds His Landing Spot

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens stiff arms Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football wild card playoff game at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Ravens Ran ‘Em Over

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 22: A general view of the DraftKings logo in the outfield during the Major League baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on June 22, 2021 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphis, PA.

Gambling

DraftKings Determined To See How Much It Can Squeeze Out Of Problem Bettors

BARNET, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Santa Claus, who delivered the match ball waves to the crowd during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Northampton Saints at the StoneX Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Barnet, England.

Defector Up All Night

Be Merry In The Christmas Open Thread

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 4: Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues on December 04, 2024 in New York, United States. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in what authorities are calling a 'brazen, targeted attack' outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The masked gunman, who waited several minutes before ambushing Thompson, fired multiple times, striking him in the back and right calf. Thompson was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Politics

What Comes After The Gun?

This Is So Stupid

I Lost My Coffee

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels poses during a press conference on December 12, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

College Football

It’s A Good Time Be One Of Bill Belichick’s Lackeys

31 January 2024, USA, Los Angeles: The Netflix logo can be seen on a building belonging to the video streaming provider. Photo: Andrej Sokolow/dpa

Netflix Can’t Even Do Commercials Right

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 01, 2024 in Inglewood, 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.

Math Is Catching Up To The Nuggets

Marta #10 of Orlando Pride battles during the NWSL Playoff Semifinals between Orlando City v Kansas City Current at Inter&amp;Co Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

Soccer

The Pride Feasted On Kansas City’s Fear

Jon Gruden’s Quest To Coach Again Takes A Detour At The Dipshit Factory

An elderly man ensures a clean print onto the paper while another man turns the wheel that operates the machine. Framed prints hang on the wall, others hang up to dry. | Location: indoors. (

Would You Like To Be Defector’s Fifth-Ever Editorial Intern?

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium on November 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (

You Can’t Sell Tua Tagovailoa’s Story

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., speaks during day three of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

The Cowards Are Already Making Plans

Defector At The Movies

‘Red Rooms’ Is Too Fucked Up To End

Journalismism

Jeff Bezos Made Someone Else’s Business Decision

Albert Burneko

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


Chris Thompson

Giri Nathan

Luis Paez-Pumar

Patrick Redford

Ray Ratto

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

an old-timey family sitting around the radio

Programming Notes

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is taken off the field on a medical cart in the second quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengalsat Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Crying Deshaun Watson Carted Off Field After Non-Contact Leg Injury

Forward Temwa Chawinga #6 of the Kansas City Current dribbles the ball with defender Abby Dahlkemper #13 of Bay FC defending in the second half during a game between Bay FC and the Kansas City Current at PayPal Park on October 12, 2024 in San Jose, California.

NWSL

Temwa Chawinga Has Conquered The NWSL

Juan Soto #22 and Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrate after Soto hit a home run in the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.