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Defector

Ray Ratto

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 28: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against Josh Jackson #20 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on February 28, 2021 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Do Not Normalize The Eastern Conference


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

This is the screen you see when there are only 55,000 people ahead of you in line for a NBA Top Shot pack.

A Short, Lucrative, And Depressing Journey Into NBA Top Shot

Albert Burneko

John Wall clutches his dick and balls on the floor of Rockets arena

This Is So Stupid

Oh Wow, Look At That, John Wall Is Out Here Making History

Tom Ley

The Knicks Are Above .500, And We Must Remain Vigilant

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey in a 2017 interview.

How Much Faith Will The NBA Put In Utah Jazz Note-Taking?

Nick Greene

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

A Couples Therapist Explains Wilt Chamberlain’s Most Impressive Record (No, Not That One)

Just What The Hell Was All This About?

Patrick Redford

Better Hate An Owner

The DeVos Family Is The Face Of American Oligarchy

Luka Doncic Pulled The Celtics Closer To The Toilet

Giri Nathan

PokuWatch: Proof Of Concept

David Vanterpool discussing his path to the NBA.

Wolves Assistant David Vanterpool Couldn’t Even Get The Interim Gig

PokuWatch: Still Chasing The Dragon

Barry Petchesky

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts following a call during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Didn’t Stick Around To Get Buzzer-Beaten

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers passes the ball during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 03, 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/undefined)

Damian Lillard Is Unstoppable Right Now, As Usual

Kings Righteously Pissed After Jonas Valanciunas’s Tornado Slam Broke Chimezie Metu’s Wrist

Bucks senior vice president and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Lasry

33-Year-Old Bucks Exec Alex Lasry Wants To Be A Senator Now

NBA commissioner Adam Silver gestures as he addresses a press conference ahead of the NBA basketball match between Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris on January 24, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Nobody Wants This All-Star Game

It’s Important To Actually Own A Thing

Masai Ujiri pulling out his credentials before being shoved.

Masai Ujiri’s Outrageous Legal Saga Is Finally Over

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after made a bad pass against the Boston Celtics at Chase Center on February 02, 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)

When Draymond Green Speaks, Listen

Jonas Valanciunas Freaks Out After Being Dunked On, Gets Revenge On The Wrong King

A Good Pass Is One That Makes A Guy Look Silly

Mason Plumlee Is Officially A Triple-Double Machine

Russell Westbrook Can’t Believe He Airballed A Free Throw Either

Trae Young Got Owned By His Own Foul-Drawing Brain