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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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Better Hate An Owner

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Death To The NCAA

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Ray Ratto

This photo illustration shows people wearing face masks, watch a televised conversation between Britain's Prince Harry with his wife Meghan Markle and US host Oprah Winfrey, in Arlington, Virginia March 7, 2021. - Britain's royal family on Sunday braced for further revelations from Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan, as a week of transatlantic claim and counter-claim reaches a climax with the broadcast of their interview with Oprah Winfrey. The two-hour interview with the US TV queen is the biggest royal tell-all since Harry's mother princess Diana detailed her crumbling marriage to his father Prince Charles in 1995. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

The Real All-Star Game Featured Oprah

Laura Wagner

Joel Embiid And Ben Simmons Get Out Of Meaningless Obligation

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 03: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz is escorted off the court after being ejected during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2021 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Jazz Lack The Lost Art Of Working The Refs

Tom Ley

This Is So Stupid

Longtime Triple-Double Machine Mason Plumlee Now Has A Second Triple-Double, And Get This: He Did It With A Pal

The Bucks’ Hand Sanitizer Cam Is Very Interactive

Lauren Theisen

Media Meltdowns

Candace Parker Explains Basketball To Shaq

Samer Kalaf

Governor Andrew Cuomo cuts a ribbon with New York Knicks owner James Dolan.

Defector Up All Night

Knicks Choose The Best Possible Time To Praise Andrew Cuomo’s Decision-Making

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 1: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets drives off a screen by DeAndre Jordan #6 against Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&amp;T Center on March 1, 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)

James Harden Is Fun Again

Nikola Jokic Explains Rare Poster Dunk With Science And Mime

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

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

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

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