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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

DENVER, CO - MAY 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Is A Big Strong Guy

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Samer Kalaf

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The Grizzlies Are Done With Dillon Brooks

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Giri Nathan

2023 NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat v New York Knicks

RJ Barrett Needs To Be More Up Than Down

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


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Dan McQuade

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during Round Two Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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

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James Harden Outshot The Celtics, Somehow

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 30: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings embraces Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after Round One Game Seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2023 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings

It’s Over For The Sacramento Kings, Who Are Just Getting Started

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Chris Thompson

Dillon Brooks does a pre-game jump-kick.

Eating Some Shit Might Be Just What The Grizzlies Need

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Albert Burneko

Steph Curry with the Sacramento crowd behind him

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Well, Shit: Steph Curry’s Fourth-Quarter Buckets, Graded For Rudeness

Trae Young prepares to inbound the ball, defended by Marcus Smart.

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

2023 NBA Playoffs – Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks

Mitchell Robinson Was The Biggest Big

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Draymond Green And The Warriors Taught Sacramento A Painful Lesson

Donovan Mitchell watches the Cavaliers lose.

The Cavaliers Paid The Price For Arriving Ahead Of Schedule

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Giannis Erupts On Reporter With Heated Display Of Nuanced Understanding Of The Ultimate Purpose Of Sport

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks is interviewed after Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

2023 NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat v Milwaukee Bucks

Mike Budenholzer Blew It Again


<p>Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.</p>


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Diana Moskovitz

The Houston Rockets introduce Ice Udoka as the next head coach during a press conference on April 26, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. All three men are sitting at a table. Udoka is in the center, with the team owner on the left and the team GM on the right.

Houston Rockets Introduce Ime Udoka Press Conference

Ime Udoka Is Not Here To Talk About The Past

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks scores the game winning shot during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

Dave McKenna

BOSTON - 1969: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in 1969 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 1969 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Portrait Of Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell

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FBI Releases Bill Russell Investigation Files, Slanders The Dead

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Tom Ley

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards (1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves stands during a break in action in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA PLAYOFFS

Anthony Edwards Needs Some New Pals

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Israel Daramola

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 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. at FedExForum on April 19, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Los Angeles Lakers v Memphis Grizzlies – Game Two

Dillon Brooks’s Wings Have Melted

LeBron James celebrates after scoring the decisive overtime basket.

LeBron James Sure Knows How To Pick His Spots

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

Milwaukee Bucks v Miami Heat – Game Four

Playoff Jimmy Has No Equal

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches a shot he took against the Sacramento Kings during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 23, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors – Game Four

This Is What Flipping The Switch Looks Like

Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks – Game Four

StarJ Barrett!

Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round One Game Four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

2023 NBA Playoffs – Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors

The Kings Needed To Be Just A Little Better

Russell Westbrook Is Just The Man To Salvage Dignity In Defeat

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 20, 2023 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 2023 NBAE

2023 NBA Playoffs – Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets

The Sixers And Joel Embiid Are Back Where They Always End Up