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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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David Roth

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell discusses the state of the union and its direction for the upcoming year before the Super Bowl in New Orleans. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Super Bowl LIX Previews

Podcasts

Who Can You Trust? With Pablo Torre

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Giri Nathan

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 11: Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game at PHX Arena on April 11, 2025 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns

Bills Week

The Aimless Suns Settle Bradley Beal’s Bill

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Defector Staff

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Announcements

In Paradigm-Shifting Business Maneuver, Defector Acquires Basketball Podcast

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Lauren Theisen

Bill Laimbeer #40 takes the ball during the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics

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Bill Laimbeer Made Me A Youth Basketball Maniac

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Tom Ley

Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 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.

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets Are In A Standoff With Jonas Valanciunas And It Somehow Matters

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Ray Ratto

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown looks on from the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center on December 22, 2024 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Sacramento Kings

The Knicks Backed Their Way Into A Good Coach

Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Target Center on March 30, 2025 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)

Detroit Pistons v Minnesota Timberwolves

Malik Beasley Had His Wages Garnished By His Former Dentist

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts from the court after an apparent injury during the first quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Indiana Pacers v Milwaukee Bucks – Game Four

The Bucks And Damian Lillard End Their Brief, Forgettable Relationship

Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons reacts in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Little Caesars Arena on April 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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.

New York Knicks v Detroit Pistons – Game Four

Gambling

Malik Beasley’s Gambling Scandal Arrives At Worst Possible Time For Malik Beasley

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Albert Burneko

T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals.

T.J. McConnell

Fine, To Hell With It: A T.J. McConnell Appreciation Blog

Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder wins the NBA Finals

The Agony Of Victory, With Ray Ratto

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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

Yang Hansen speaks to the media after being drafted 16th oveall by the Memphis Grizzlies then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers during 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.

The NBA Draft Provides Blessed Phrases Like “Chinese Jokic”

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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

Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

2025 NBA Finals – Game Seven

“Deserve” Has Nothing To Do With It

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - JUNE 22: Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Thunder Finished The Job

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Israel Daramola

Fanatics Fest NYC 2025

Houston Wins The Latest Kevin Durant Sweepstakes

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

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 19: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers dunks against Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19, 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 Six

The Finals Have Given Us Everything But An Ending

Jalen Williams

The Thunder Are Sharpening Their Knives

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

Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Memphis Grizzlies – Game Three

The Orlando Magic Have Acquired A Big Dog

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Rachelle Hampton

Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks talk against the Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks – Game Five

Thank God Jalen Brunson And Josh Hart Are Kind Of Boring

New York Knicks owner James Dolan attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden.

Washington Wizards v New York Knicks

The Whole NBA Is Telling James Dolan To Piss Off