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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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Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bucks Didn’t Conquer The Giannis Wall, And Didn’t Have To

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, in happier times.

Danny Ainge Puts A Foot In His Big Fat Mouth

Tom Ley

Arena view. Fans point to another fan who it appears threw popcorn

The Assholes Are Back, Too

Giri Nathan

The Celtics Chose Death By Joe Harris

Patrick Redford

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Jae Crowder #99 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It’s Anthony Davis Time

Patrick Beverley looks bummed after committing a foul.

Bask In The Delights Of Patrick Beverley’s Miserable Evening

Ray Ratto

There’s Only One Solution To Bad Refereeing

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bryn Forbes #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Miami Heat during Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Bucks Couldn’t Miss

The Clippers And Mavericks Are Good At Being Mean

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MAY 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 23, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Grizzlies Are Here To Party

Trae Young beats Frank Ntilikina for the deciding bucket.

A Timely Nudge And A Lost Shoe Helped Trae Young Author A Classic Finish

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

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball past Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 99-90.

All The Phoenix Suns Have To Do Is Rewrite Their Own History

Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after scoring in overtime against Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ugly Playoff Basketball Games Are Uniquely Thrilling

Albert Burneko

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, in a hoodie, making a goofus face

A Timely And Incredibly Expert Preview Of The 2021 NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court during the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 19, 2021 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 Harry How/Getty Images)

Alex Caruso Was Right Where The Lakers Needed Him To Be

David Roth

Russell Westbrook contemplates the void, and The Distraction logo.

Podcasts

A Hater’s Guide To Every Postseason, With Lauren Theisen And Albert Burneko

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores the game winning three point basket against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the closing minute of an NBA Tournament Play-In game at Staples Center on May 19, 2021 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

What If We Just Did Six More Of That?

Let’s Appreciate Some Randos Who Smushed The Hornets Flat As A Pancake

Kwame Brown Is Tired Of Being The Joke

The Knicks Got Good And Stayed Good

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

Dan McQuade

Allen Iverson at a press conference, holding a VHS cassette tape

Thinking About Another Run Two Decades After The Sixers’ Last One

The Celtics and Pacers play basketball, poorly.

What Is This NBA Play-In Tournament? What Is It? Will Someone Please Tell Me What It Is?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he drives between LeBron James #23 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 115-113 Warriors win on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Staples Center on January 18, 2021 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The NBA Should Beware Of Getting What It Wanted From The Play-In Games

The Steph Curry Show Rolls On

Laura Wagner

Wizards Complete U-Turn