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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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Patrick Redford

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

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Chris Thompson

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

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Ray Ratto

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.

steph and luka

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo smiles after pranking Jaylen Brown.

Giannis Fake Handshake

NBA Friendship Wobbled By Ill-Timed Fake Handshake

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 8: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a made basket during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center on November 8, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder

The NBA Is Turning Into One Big Hospital Ward

Johnny Davis of the Wizards, flailing at the basketball while being struck in the face, with the word "BUTT" superimposed over his arm.

Johnny Davis

Here Are Some Young NBA Players Who Are Butt

It Has Come To This: A Derrick White Appreciation Blog

Stephen Curry (right) and Steve Kerr (left) high-five during an April 26, 2023 Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.

Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings – Game Five

The Warriors Are Still Doing It The Warriors Way

Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a foul call during the first half against the Phoenix Suns on November 4, 2024.

Philadelphia 76ers v Phoenix Suns

The Eastern Conference Is 87 Percent Butt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 124-109. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks v Philadelphia 76ers

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Playing Like Milwaukee Butt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Shoves Author Of Weird Column About Him Shaming The Memory Of His Dead Brother

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder leaves the court after the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 24, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

DENVER NUGGETS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, NBA

Chet Holmgren Is The Future, Too

Bronny James talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers Gave An Assist To Bronny By Beating The Shit Out Of The Lakers

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Giri Nathan

A statue of Dwyane Wade outside the Miami Heat's arena

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That Isn’t Dwyane Wade, Sir

Dave McKenna

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1992: Jerrod Mustaf #0 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to playing the Washington Bullets in an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Mustaf played for the Suns from 1991-94.

Phoenix Suns  v Washington Bullets

Sadly, Jerrod Mustaf Was More Than A Basketball Player

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Lakers

These Lakers Already Feel Different

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates against the Houston Rocketsduring the second half at Toyota Center on October 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

Charlotte Hornets v Houston Rockets

The Hornets Are Under Construction, But LaMelo Ball Is Still Really Fun To Watch

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Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, illuminated by somewhat spooky crimson light during the pregame ceremonies ahead of Thursday night's road game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Victor Wembanyama in red light

Victor Wembanyama’s Hands Missed Opening Night

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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Tom Ley

A circa-1900 black-and-white photo of basketball players receiving dance lessons from a lady in a flapper hat and dress.

nba dance lessons

A Preview Of The 2024-25 NBA Season, Accurately Enumerating Everything That Will Happen In It

<a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://demause.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://demause.net/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">Neil deMause</a> has covered sports economics for more publications than even he can shake a stick at. He’s co-author of the book <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Schemes-Stadium-Swindle-Private/dp/1567511384?ascsubtag=c9dca64cfbbd6c35085d286f4423ee39b8350b2f&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%5Bks%7Cgoogle%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1800657108%5Ba%7C1567511384%5Bau%7C5722120546910826704%5Bb%7Cdeadspinascsubtag%3D4eba2da0f6cc83fe1f221e8d8ca5894cd93bf2a7ascsubtag%3D33f4f2a16c1eda72859c34ee8aa577410b04a0d8&amp;tag=deadspinamzn-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ga="[[&quot;Commerce&quot;,&quot;deadspin - Baseball Doesn't Need Collusion To Turn Off The Hot Stove&quot;,&quot;1567511384&quot;]]" data-amazonasin="1567511384" data-amazontag="deadspinamzn-20" data-amazonsubtag="[r|https://www.google.com/[ks|google[t|link[p|1831644811[a|1567511384[au|5722120546910826704[b|deadspin[lt|text" data-commerceready="true">Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit</a>, and runs <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://fieldofschemes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://fieldofschemes.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">the website of the same name</a>.

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Neil deMause

Philadelphia skyline with white puffy clouds focusing on William Penn Statue Broad Street area, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Philadelphia skyline with white puffy clouds focusing on William Penn Statue Broad Street area, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Has A Lot To Lose On The New 76ers Arena

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

The Mark Jackson 1990-91 NBA Hoops card with the Menendez Brothers courtside in the background

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Why I Own An Unremarkable 1990 Mark Jackson Basketball Card

Shams Charania speaks with Mike Miller (L) and Donnie McGrath during the Paolo Banchero All Star Weekend kickoff party

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Journalismism

Shams Charania’s Syntactical Talents Are Headed Toward A Bristol-Based Location