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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

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)

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Sacramento Worships Beneath The First Playoff Beam

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Samer Kalaf

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

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

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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

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


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Chris Thompson

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>
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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

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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

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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

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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

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Tom Ley

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

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The NBA Doesn’t Like The Way The Mavericks Tanked

Rudy Gobert swings at Kyle Anderson in a team huddle.

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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

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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

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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.

Los Angeles Lakers v Los Angeles Clippers

Getting Old Sucks

Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid Made His Case Again

Dave McKenna

James Dolan, in a velvet blazer and a dumb hat, singing his heart out.

16th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference – Day 1

James Dolan And Me, Face To Face

NEW YORK - MARCH 29: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media after the Board of Governors meetings on March 29, 2023 at the St. Regis Hotel in 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 Board of Governors Presser

The Players Are Making The Biggest Concession In The New NBA CBA

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a call during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 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 Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

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