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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

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winter 2023 gift (eyebrow)

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks lifts the championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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The Bucks Rode A Big Third Quarter To An NBA Cup Win They Definitely Care About

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Chris Thompson

Some kids who are fans of the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets Cruelly Bait-And-Switch Child By Promising PS5 But Giving Him PS5 And Hornets Tickets

Donovan Mitchell dunks.

Dare To Believe In The Cleveland Cavaliers

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Giri Nathan

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates the win on the logo after the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2024 in New York City. The Atlanta Hawks defeated the New York Knicks 108-100 to advance to the semifinal round. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks v New York Knicks: Quarterfinals – Emirates NBA Cup

Trae Young Goes For Cheap Heat In The Knicks’ House

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Patrick Redford

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of a quarterfinal game against the Houston Rockets in the NBA Emirates Cup at Toyota Center on December 11, 2024 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 Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets: Quarterfinals – Emirates NBA Cup

Steve Kerr Flips Out After Latest Warriors Meltdown

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)

New Orleans Pelicans v Golden State Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga Makes His Case

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Tom Ley

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.

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Clippers

Math Is Catching Up To The Nuggets

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)

Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Lakers Cannot Stop Embarrassing Themselves

lonzo

“Do Not Wear Dad’s DIY Sneakers” Is A Lesson Lonzo Ball Learned The Most Painful Possible Way

Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic reacts in the first half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Kia Center on November 27, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

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It’s Moe Wagner, Not Mo Wagner

Karl-Anthony Towns drives to the cup against Wendell Carter Jr. of the Magic.

Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Wendell Carter Jr.

Karl-Anthony Towns Sees Your Gruel, And Raises

Tari Eason and Amen Thompson defend a shot in a Rockets game against the Clippers.

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Hell Is Being Defended By Tari Eason And Amen Thompson

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)

San Antonio Spurs v Sacramento Kings

This Is What Getting Left Behind Looks Like

Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half in the Emirates NBA Cup at Capital One Arena on November 26, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Kyle Kuzma

The Washington Wizards Won Nothing In November

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

How Can He Slap?

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)

Detroit Pistons v Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic Are Just That

Zion Williamson Is Back In The Shop

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with Rudy Gobert #27 in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on November 17, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 120-117. 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)

Phoenix Suns v Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Found A New Guy To Annoy

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Ray Ratto

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards walks off the court after the game. Edwards led all scorers with a career high 51 points.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Sure, Go Ahead And Try To Fix The NBA All-Star Game

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)

Washington Wizards v Atlanta Hawks

Dyson Daniels Is On The Prowl

Joel Embiid in sweats.

The Sagging 76ers Need Joel Embiid, But Not This Joel Embiid

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.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Sacramento Kings – Emirates NBA Cup

Nobody Is Doing It Like De’Aaron Fox

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)

Charlotte Hornets v Philadelphia 76ers

Jared McCain Is Seizing His Opportunity

Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs former teammate Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after their game at Chase Center on November 12, 2024.

Dallas Mavericks v Golden State Warriors – Emirates NBA Cup

Klay Thompson’s Golden State Return Was A Classic Buried In November

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.

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