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Defector

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

Dan McQuade

LaMelo Ball Is Back, And So Are His Otherworldly Assists

Giri Nathan

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passes downcourt against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 01, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Nikola Jokic Has Been Sculpted

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Russell Westbrook, Ish Smith, and Bradley Beal celebrate during the Wizards' win over the Lakers.

The Unstoppable, Charming, Incredibly Telegenic Wizards Are Truly Basketball’s Feel-Good Story, No Matter What The Haters And Losers Say

Tom Ley

Business Moron Tilman Fertitta Mad About Lack Of Cheap Labor To Exploit

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 21: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Kevin Love Is Not Having A Good Time

Albert Burneko

Head coach Nate Bjorkgren diagrams a play for the Indiana Pacers during a timeout

Let’s Check In On The Indiana Pacers, As Well As, For No Particular Reason, The Atlanta Hawks

This Is So Stupid

Wow: I Can’t Wait To Watch A Broadcast Crossover Event Between The NBA And This Beloved Action Film Franchise

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: Luke Walton head coach of the Sacramento Kings complain on a call against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&amp;T Center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Here’s To Another Lost Season In Sacramento

Wizards rookie Deni Avdija lies injured on the court.

Deni Avdija’s Brutally Frustrating Season Comes To A Brutal End

Maitreyi Anantharaman

The Best Bucket Of The Night Was The One That Didn’t Go In

Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates after scoring against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the Pistons 108-102 win over the Celtics at TD Garden on February 12, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Pistons Drafted Well?

Ray Ratto

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to a game against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on March 17, 2021 in Houston, 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

How The MVP Race Works

Please Join Me For A Chuckle At This Grayson Allen Blooper

This Shrieking Hornets Broadcaster Must Knock It Off, Immediately

Oh No, Zion, Why Did You Do This?

Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 27, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida

“Dade County, How Do You Like Bam, Man!”

Steph Curry Went Airplane Mode

at American Airlines Center on February 6, 2013 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Let’s All Salute LaMarcus Aldridge’s Cool-Ass Fadeaway

Luka Doncic celebrates after hitting a game-winner.

Luka Doncic Floated In A Buzzer-Beater For The Ages

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 07: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches during warm ups between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 07, 2021 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)

Embarrassing: Anthony Edwards Isn’t Familiar With Alex Rodriguez, That Guy On ‘Shark Tank’

The NBA’s Play-In Tournament Is A Fun Idea, Until You Actually Have To Play In It

A doodle of Zion Williamson kicking my head off from the hood of a speeding Jeep.

Science

Could A Jeep-Mounted Zion Williamson Roundhouse-Kick My Head Off? An Investigation

Jamal Murray, Joy Ruled Out Of The NBA Playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he made a basket to pass Wilt Chamberlain as the Golden State Warriors all-time leading scorer during the first quarter of their game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 12, 2021 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)

Steph Curry Had A Night For Himself

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 18: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 18, 2021 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)

NBA