defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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.

defector-no-empty-space

Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

back-in-stock-for-a-limited-time

Merch v3

Profile Pic

Chris Thompson

Shaq hams it up for photographers at a Formula 1 event.

Mission Accomplished: Shaquille O’Neal Finally Served With Class-Action Lawsuit Documents

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 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 2023 NBAE

2023 NBA Playoffs – Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns

Russell Westbrook Is Always Himself

headshot1

Patrick Redford

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

austin-reaves-playoffs

LeBron James Got Some Help From His Secondary Buddies

skalaf-photo

Samer Kalaf

The rapper E-40 yells at arena security personnel before being escorted from courtside seating during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings

e-40-kings-warriors

E-40 Says Kings Security Wrongfully Ejected Him From Game 1

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings lights the beam after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 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 Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

fox-kings-warriors-light-the-beam

Sacramento Worships Beneath The First Playoff Beam

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

jalen-brunson-knicks-cavs

Jalen Brunson’s Departure Might Haunt The Mavs For A While

IMG_6025-800

Albert Burneko

Old-timey black-and-white basketball photo

normalbasketball

A Timely Preview Of The 2023 NBA Playoffs, Almost Certainly Including All Of The Participants

A Surreal, Chum-Choked Plunge Through Ja Morant’s Countersuit Against A Teen Boy

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


XrjaOfP__400x400

Charles P. Pierce

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 4: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 2023 NBAE

Sacramento Kings v New Orleans Pelicans

When Domantas Sabonis Leads The Kings Into The Playoffs, I Hope Dale Brown Is Watching

IMG_5859

Giri Nathan

Zion Williamson looks on from the sidelines

New Orleans Pelicans v Sacramento Kings

Where Was Zion Williamson, And Where Will He Be?

Diar forcing a miss out of Scottie Barnes

Screen Shot 2023-04-12 at 6.22.54 PM

DeMar DeRozan’s Screaming Daughter Carries Bulls To Play-In Victory

Split image: Spencer Dinwiddie on the left, dribbling a basketball; on the right, Kyle Kuzma, in street clothes on an NBA bench, pointing

dinwiddie-kuzma

Kyle Kuzma Docks His Boat On “Dinshittie Island”

Shaquille O'Neal performs as a DJ at a party.

Florida Court Rules That Shaquille O’Neal May Continue To Juke Process Servers In The Physical World

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James #6 interviews after the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 11, 2023 at Crypto.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 2023 NBAE (

2023 Play-In Tournament – Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers Redeem Cursed Season By Falling Backwards Into Playoffs

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards rests during a break in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Capital One Arena on March 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal Would Like Gambling-Related Insults Kept To A Minimum

mark-cuban

The NBA Doesn’t Like The Way The Mavericks Tanked

Rudy Gobert swings at Kyle Anderson in a team huddle.

gobert-anderson-fight

The Timberwolves Are Throwing Punches At The Worst Possible Time

Shaquille O'Neal wears a hat and becomes practically invisible.

Shaquille O’Neal Is On The Run From FTX Lawsuit Process Servers

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 18: Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks during media availability as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on February 18, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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.

2023 NBA All Star – Practice & Media Availability

Another Zion Williamson Season Ends In The Toilet

ja-morant

Report: Memphis Cops Dragged Their Feet On Investigating Ja Morant’s Altercations

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 22: Annoucer Mark Jones and Commentator Kayte Christensen during the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings on December 22, 2021 at Golden 1 Center 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

LA Clippers v Sacramento Kings

A Guide To Mark Jones’s Food References And Do-It-Yourself Kits

Mark Cuban Is In Loser Mode Showing Texts

image0 (5)

Israel Daramola

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers react from the bench during a 125-118 LA Clippers win at Crypto.com Arena on April 05, 2023 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.

NBA