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Patrick Redford

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 16: Cooper Flagg of Montverde (32) drives to the basket during the Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between Montverde Academy and Sunrise Christian on January 16, 2023 at Blake Arena in Springfield, MA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire)

Cooper Flagg Is A Real Guy That You Need To Know About

Ray Ratto

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 15: President of basketball operations Daryl Morey responds during a press conference at the Seventy Sixers Practice Facility on February 15, 2022 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) 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.

James Harden And Daryl Morey Deserve Each Other

Tom Ley

James Harden #1 (L) and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a press conference at the Seventy Sixers Practice Facility on February 15, 2022 in Camden, New Jersey. (

James Harden Calls Daryl Morey A “Liar,” Vows Never To Play For Him

Israel Daramola

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson next to each other in season two of HBO's series "Winning Time."

Arts And Culture

‘Winning Time’ Is Back And Still Ridiculous

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen report on a playoff game.

ESPN Lays Off Mark Jackson One Month After Dropping Jeff Van Gundy

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers looks on during a game in Portland, Oregon.

NBA Urges Teams To Disregard Damian Lillard’s Threats

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Christian Wood looks on during the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Surely Christian Wood Still Has Something To Offer

Giri Nathan

The Celtics Are All The Way In

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 30, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Rick Osentoski/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Is Committed To Feuding, Even With A Fake Tweet

Cameron Payne walks onto the court during his final appearance for the Phoenix Suns, during the 2023 playoffs.

Phoenix’s Title Push Has Maximums, Minimums, And Nothing In Between

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 3: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder is interviewed after the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2023 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League on July 3, 2023 at Delta Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chet Holmgren Has Been A Joy In An Otherwise Disappointing Summer League

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) extends his arms above his head

Catch The Victor Wembanyama Show

Victor Wembanyama answers for his overeager security guard.

Please Do Not Hit Britney Spears For Touching The Shoulder Of Victor Wembanyama

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center on March 24, 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard May Have Hit The Eject Button Too Late

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 11: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to a play against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.

The Sixers Enter Another Summer Of Angst

Samer Kalaf

A closeup of the Qatar World Cup gold medal

Capital

Qatar’s Interest In The Washington Wizards Is The Next Step

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Scoot Henderson celebrates after being drafted third overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Blazers Are At A Fascinating Crossroads

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Whatever The Warriors’ Plan, It Doesn’t Involve Jordan Poole

Shams Charania gestures during an interview.

Media Meltdowns

Shams Charania’s Whoopsie Sure Made Someone A Lot Of Money

Dave McKenna

In Praise Of Andre Jackson, A Dunker From The Gods

Wemby Takes New York

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 07: Former NBA athlete Isiah Thomas and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia attend Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 129-124. 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.

Isiah Thomas Will Always Find A New Situation To Fuck Up

Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards watches during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 17, 2023.

Bradley Beal Is A Wizard No More And The Suns Are Going For It

Michael Jordan on the sideline of a Charlotte Hornets game in March of 2023.

Let’s Look Back On The Charlotte Hornets Under Michael Jordan

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with his daughter Ognjena after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 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)

NBA