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David Roth

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on April 9, 2024. I put the little Distraction logo at upper right so it looks like he's glowering at it.

Podcasts

We’re All Lifelong Nuggets Fans Here, With Patrick Redford

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nicolas Batum #40 of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during the game against the Miami Heat during the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nicolas Batum Ruined My Night

Ray Ratto

Jontay Porter Is The NBA’s Collateral Damage

Klay Thompson reacts after missing a shot

Kings, Inevitable Passing Of Time End The Warriors

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors &amp; LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers embrace before the game on April 9, 2024 at Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images)

Eventually, Expectations Become The Fiercest Opponent

Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.

Alex Prewitt

The inside of Jamsil Arena, home of the Korean Basketball League's Seoul Thunders.

Life's Rich Pageant

A Journey To Korea In Search Of The Bank-Shot Free Throw

Tom Ley

Boban Marjanovic #51 of the Houston Rockets smiles before the game against the LA Clippers on April 14, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Boban Delivered The Chicken

Doug McDermott of the Indiana Pacers dunks during a game against the Atlanta Hawks

Pacers Escape The Play-In, Reaffirm That The Hawks Are A 10th-Place Team

Patrick Redford

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 09: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the LA Clippers at Footprint Center on April 09, 2024 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)

Enter The Western Conference Anxiety Vortex

Torrey Craig and Andre Drummond fuck up a dunk

This Is About As Wrong As 15 Seconds Of Basketball Can Go

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits injured on the court during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics on April 09, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Calf Joins Doc Rivers’s Reputation In The Infirmary

Defector Up All Night

Oh Fuck Me, Damian Lillard Is Wiggling The Wet Orb

Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks speaks during a press conference after the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122-113.

The Bucks Are All Fucked Up

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 7: Mat Ishbia speaks during a press conference announcing Phoenix as the host of the NBA All-Star 2027 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mat Ishbia Revealed To Be Familiar Kind Of Asshole

Giri Nathan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: Malachi Flynn #18 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks inthe second quarter at State Farm Arena on April 03, 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)

Sure, Yeah, Malachi Flynn Scored 50

Jerry West attends a basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Portland Trail Blazersat the Thomas &amp; Mack Center on July 11, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jerry West Is The Basketball Hall Of Fame’s Three-Headed GOAT

Joel Embiid and his teammates on the court.

Joel Embiid Didn’t Get The Officiating Memo

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during 2023-24 NBA Media Day on October 2, 2023 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

This Fucking Guy Is Going To Ruin My Life

Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting the game-winning basket during overtime against the Boston Celtics at State Farm Arena on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta,

The Game Doesn’t Change Until Dejounte Murray Says So

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 31: Tim Connelly, new Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations speaks while being introduced to the media by team ownership group Glen Taylor, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez on May 31, 2022 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Alex Rodriguez And Marc Lore Are No Longer Buying The Timberwolves

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors argues with a referee before being ejected during a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on March 27, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Ejected In The First Quarter, To The Tearful Exasperation Of His Team

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Ted Leonsis talks into a Wizards-branded microphone.

Ted Leonsis Finally Abandons Glenn Youngkin’s Doomed Virginia Gambit

Joe Mazzulla Must Disobey The NBA And Continue To Block Meaningless Shot Attempts

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 09: Jontay Porter #34 of the Toronto Raptors warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 09, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Feeling Left Out, NBA Announces Its Own Betting Scandal

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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)

NBA