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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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Tom Ley

Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors – Game Five

How Nice It Must Be To Have Your Cranium In Nikola Jokic’s Hand

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

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Doc Rivers And I Both Sound Terrified The Sixers Are Going To Choke

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Patrick Redford

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 26: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-97. 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)

New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns – Game Five

Jose Alvarado Is A Delightful Pest

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Albert Burneko

Ja Morant lays in the game-winner for the Grizzlies against the Timberwolves

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I’m So Glad The Grizzlies And Wolves Found Each Other

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

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Chris Thompson

Trae Young And The Hawks Went Down Easy

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All You Have To Do Today Is Watch Ja Morant’s Dunk

Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz tries to pass the ball while laid out on the floor against the Dallas Mavericks

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The Utah Jazz Spent An Evening In Spirit Prison

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 25: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2022 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)

Toronto Raptors v Philadelphia 76ers – Game Five

The Sixers Need More From James Harden

The Celtics Made Sure Kevin Durant Had The Playoffs From Hell

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Ray Ratto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Four

The Nets’ Making Was Their Undoing

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Samer Kalaf

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Ben Simmons Did That Little Practice Dunk For Nothing

Media Meltdowns

In The Game Of Basketball, One Must Be Careful To Avoid Sitting On A Whoopee Cushion While Laying An Egg

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets look on in the final seconds of their 109-103 loss against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 23, 2022 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images).

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Three

The Brooklyn Nets Never Really Became A Basketball Team

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 21: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives into Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 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)

Dallas Mavericks v Utah Jazz – Game Three

Jalen Brunson And The Mavericks Are In The Process Of Ending The Jazz Once And For All

That Was Painful

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets stands for the singing of the national anthem before Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics – Game Two

BenWatch: Incoming

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Jerry West Didn’t Get Angry, Don’t Say He Got Angry On A Television Show

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with Larry Nance Jr. #22 following Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 125-114. 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)

New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns – Game Two

The Pelicans Are Rising To The Moment

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2022 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)

Toronto Raptors v Philadelphia 76ers – Game Two

Nick Nurse Is Grumpy With Joel Embiid

Jalen Brunson Torched Utah’s Shabby Playoff Defense

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Barry Petchesky

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture with Grateful Dead musician Bob Weir following Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on April 18, 2022 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)

Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors – Game Two

This Is So Stupid

Someone Out There Probably Wants To See This Photo Of Steph Curry And Bob Weir

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: JaMychal Green #0 of the Denver Nuggets and Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Golden State Warriors go for a rebound during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 18, 2022 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)

Give Me Game 7 Or Go To Hell

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Lauren Theisen

The Warriors Are Back, And They’re Incredible

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Laura Wagner

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 16: A activist chains herself to the goal during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference First Round between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2022.

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ESPN Wanted No Part Of The Latest NBA Playoff Protest

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Trae Young Had The Game 1 From Hell