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Ray Ratto

Miami's Duncan Robinson argues with referee Eric Davis during Game 1 of the NBA Finals

The Heat Have Bigger Problems Than The Refs

Patrick Redford

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a 104-93 victory against the Miami Heat in Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 01, 2023 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Two Plays That Defined Nikola Jokic’s Brilliant Finals Debut

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Nikola Jokic defends against Bam Adebayo.

The Heat Forgot Which Direction The Rim Is In

Albert Burneko

An old black-and-white photo of a game between the Celtics and Royals

A Timely And Data-Loaded 2023 NBA Finals Preview, For Basketball Idiots

Eric Lewis #42 looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 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 (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Someone Tweeted NBA Referee Eric Lewis Out Of An NBA Finals Assignment

David Roth

Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin stand together as the team is introduced before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Podcasts

Eat Culture, With Rohan Nadkarni

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors hugs general manager Bob Myers after the Warriors defeated the Kings 120-100 in game seven of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 30, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Warriors Are In Flux

Jaylen Brown looks miserable during the post-game press conference.

Jaylen Brown Was Supermaximally Shitty When It Counted

Caleb Martin of the Miami Heat shoots over Derrick White of the Boston Celtics in Monday night's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

The Heat Win Ugly

MIAMI, FL - MAY 27: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics shoots the game winner during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat on May 27, 2023 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Derrick White Was In Place

Jayson Tatum blocks the shot of Bam Adebayo.

It’s Fine That The Celtics Are Kicking The Heat’s Butts Off. I’m Not Worried. It’s Fine!

Giri Nathan

This Twitter Account Is Unusually Dedicated To Defending The Honor Of NBA Referee Eric Lewis

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics holds the ball while Jimmy Butler makes a Jimmy Butler Face in an Eastern Conference Finals game..

Sacred Oafs, Holy Madmen, Culture Wars, Things Of That Nature

Life's Rich Pageant

Mission Re-Accomplished: Shaq Served At Former FTX Arena

Steph Curry carves a Bored Ape ice sculpture.

The NBA’s New Social Justice Champion Has A Few Demerits

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics controls the ball ahead of Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Kaseya Center on May 23, 2023 in Miami, 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Celtics Live To Disappoint Another Day

LeBron James talks to press after the Lakers' Western Conference Finals loss to the Nuggets

LeBron Compliments Nikola Jokic’s Big Basketball Brain And Contemplates Retirement

Israel Daramola

Nikola Jokic Is The Best And Everyone Will Just Have To Accept It

Joe Mazzulla Looks Totally Lost Out There

<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>


Charles P. Pierce

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics Are Gifting The Heat This Series

LeBron Cost The Lakers

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 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 (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

From left: Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob at Chase Center, Friday, July 30, 2021, in San Francisco, Calif. The Warriors selected Jonathan Kuminga (No. 7) and Moses Moody (No. 14) in the NBA Draft on Thursday night.

NBA