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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

Buy a Defector Gift Subscription, Get A (Different) Gift Subscription

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2025 gift subs

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Giri Nathan

Boston, MA - November 12: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla high fives guard Payton Pritchard in the second quarter. The Celtics played the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden on November 12, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Payton Pritchard, Derrick White get back on track to help Celtics rout Grizzlies

Boston Sports Franchise Removes The Phrase “White Power” From Its Website

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


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Chris Thompson

Jokic dribbles 2025

Even By His Lofty Standards, Nikola Jokic Is On One

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Patrick Redford

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center on November 10, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Milwaukee Bucks v Dallas Mavericks

This Is Not The Start Cooper Flagg Wanted

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Podcasts

A Brief Tour Through The Bad Parts Of The NBA, With Ock Sportello

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Tom Ley

ScoreCard TV

Am I A Bug To You?

Nico Harrison

Nico Harrison Is Toast

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball in overtime to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center on November 10, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

Cleveland Cavaliers v Miami Heat

The Heat And Cavs Played The Wildest Eight Seconds Of The Season

Kings head coach Doug Christie looking confused.

doug christie

The Kings Are An Abomination

Tech leaders, including Sam Altman (C), CEO of OpenAI, and Tim Cook (2nd L), CEO of Apple, attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

Capital

An Evening With Sam Altman And Steve Kerr

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 03: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum on November 03, 2025 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. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Detroit Pistons v Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant’s Melodrama Tips Into Tedium

Zion Williamson and Jeremiah Fears of the New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans v Denver Nuggets

The Pelicans Are Already Deeply Alarming

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 25: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 25, 2025 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Charlotte Hornets v Philadelphia 76ers

The NBA’s Rookie Class Is Getting Straight To Work

A detailed view of a hand holding a Fanduel Sports Network–branded microphone during an interview after the Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics on February 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Gambling

The NBA Media Is Not Built To Cover A Gambling Scandal

A circle around the mark Jaylen Brown left on OG Anunoby's jersey during a game

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Jaylen Brown’s Really Leaving His Mark On Opponents

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks

Nico Harrison, Mavericks Fans, And Rooting Against Your Guys

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Shams Charania Tries Out Legal Commentary, With Perplexing Results

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Ray Ratto

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks onstage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel on September 24, 2025 in New York City.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025

Adam Silver’s Job Is About To Get So Much Harder

Terry Rozier #2 of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on March 02, 2025 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) PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Chauncey Billips of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center on October 22, 2025 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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Chauncey Billups And Terry Rozier Arrested In Connection With Federal Gambling Investigations

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a score during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. 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.

Wemby’s Going To Make Things Ugly For These Guys

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 21: Steven Adams #12 of the Houston Rockets keeps control of the ball from Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on October 21, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder

Being Huge Is Cool Again

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG --- Kings's Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings played the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Ca., on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG — Kings’s Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings playe

Were The 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals Really Fixed?

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Albert Burneko

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Israel Daramola

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Male students playing basketball, Western High School, Washington, D.C., circa 1899

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Harken Ye Unto The 2025–26 NBA Season Preview, Which Stands Before You

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 6: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Paycom Center on April 6, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 William Purnell/Getty Images)

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