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Rafi Kohan is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. His first book, The Arena, 
was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing. 
Previously, he has served as deputy editor at the New York Observer and as 
executive editorial director for the Atlantic’s creative studio, Re:think. His 
writing has appeared in numerous publications, including GQ, Men’s 
Journal, Rolling Stone, The Ringer, and the Wall Street Journal.

Rafi Kohan

Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics sneering disdainfully at Jerry Stackhouse, who is trying to guard him in 2002. The cover of Rafi Kohan's book "Trash Talk" is at upper left.

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

Gary Payton And The Art And Strategy Of “Talking Crazy”

Ray Ratto

Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards battles for control of the ball against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on November 27, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Washington won the game 126-107.

The In-Season Tournament For Even The Least Of Us

Giri Nathan

Pat McAfee conducts an interview with Adam Silver

Media Meltdowns

Adam Silver Can’t Resist Praising Henry Kissinger On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

Patrick Redford

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 04: &lt;&gt;during the NBA In-Season Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Minor Stakes Of The NBA In-Season Tournament Have Led To Good, Silly Fun

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks smiles before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 2, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

Things We Actually Like

This Cheesy Mitchell Robinson Blog Is For My Mom

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Kevin Durant #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

In-Season Tournament Gets Everyone’s Attention With A Glaring Officiating Fuck-Up

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates during the game against the Boston Celtics during the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament on December 4, 2023 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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)

The Pacers Are Back, Or At Least Getting There

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on November 29, 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)

Ime Udoka Got Ejected For Being A Weird Asshole To LeBron James

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after receiving a technical foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings during the NBA In-Season Tournament game at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Nobody Collapses Like The Warriors

Pistons players sit on the bench during a blowout

The Pistons Complete Their No-Win November

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Now Is The Season Of Noticing The Indiana Pacers

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 1: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics answers questions during media day during the NBA Finals on June 1, 1986 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. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The State Of Basketblogging

Josh Giddey #3 during the pregame at Paycom Center on October 29, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Police Investigating If Josh Giddey Had A Relationship With A Minor

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 10: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is seen during the basketball friendly match played between Real Madrid and Dallas Mavericks at Wizink Center pavilion on October 10, 2023, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Why Is Mark Cuban Selling?

Tom Ley

DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on November 27, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Clippers Got Embarrassed By Some Old Friends

Devin Booker of the Suns celebrates on the floor against the Knicks

It’s Nothing But Bad News For Devin Booker Haters

Draymond Green talks to a teammate during a timeout.

Draymond Green Remains In Pursuit Of Method For Attacking Opponents That Won’t Get Him Suspended

Alex Squadron is a writer from New York. His byline has appeared in SLAM, the New York Post, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated and SB Nation. His first book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-League-Basketball-Relentless-Pursuit/dp/1496235851" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Life-League-Basketball-Relentless-Pursuit/dp/1496235851&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700717978074000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3O-s88UE2MyxmV19syo99i">Life in the G: Minor League Basketball and the Relentless Pursuit of the NBA</a>, was released in October 2023.

Alex Squadron

Joe Young of the Birmingham Squadron follows through on a jumper in a 2021-22 G-League game against the Texas Legends.

You Don’t Get From The G League To The NBA By Being “The Man”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 21: Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers dunks against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament game at State Farm Arena on November 21, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Obi Toppin; Onyeka Okongwu

Report: In-Season Tournament “Is A Real Thing”

How Many Different Ways Can James Dolan Tell Us He’s Sick Of This?

Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in the second half during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Capital One Arena on November 17, 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jordan Poole Charts A New Frontier In Unseriousness

Luis Paez-Pumar

Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder scores the game tying shot during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 18, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

Chet Holmgren Is This Good This Early

Chet Holmgren of the Thunder unsuccessfully posts up Chris Paul of the Warriors

Enjoy The Visual Tableau Of Chet Holmgren Unsuccessfully Posting Up Chris Paul

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings after fouled by D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakersin the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on November 15, 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Kings Are Making Continuity Work

Draymond Green puts Rudy Gobert in a chokehold.

NBA