defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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.

defector-no-empty-space

Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

ratto-ray_400x400

Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Six

The Warriors Answered Every Question

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera staring very intensely at new quarterback Carson Wentz, but The Distraction logo has been superimposed over Wentz's face.

GettyImages-1386314212_jpg

Podcasts

Endurance Basketball, Dystopian Golf, And The Plight Of The Sacrificial Mensch

IMG_6025-800

Albert Burneko

Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors) wrestle Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) for the ball

GettyImages-1402771754

What’s Up With Jayson Tatum?

headshot1

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Five

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

IMG_5859

Giri Nathan

Draymond Green in his postgame press conference after the Warriors beat the Pistons 118-91 on Saturday, January 30.

draymond

Draymond Green Podcasted Beyond The Point Of Shame

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

DFmBbTQF_400x400

Dan McQuade

Workers look at the rim with a big ladder

net-wrong-height

The Rim Wasn’t The Correct Height!

of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Three

Robert Williams Was Everywhere

<a href="http://www.ddavisla.com">David Davis </a>is the author of Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans From World War II Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation and Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku. He lives in Los Angeles.
<div></div>

91QDg1THB8L._US230_

David Davis

EYRFr-vXQAI3AVn

How They Shot “The Last Shot”

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-104. 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)

Philadelphia 76ers v Phoenix Suns

The NBA’s Actual Ref Problem, Explained

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Two

That Was A Hell Of A Defensive Performance

Stephen Curry shoots against Al Horford and Robert Williams in Game 2 of the NBA Finals

The Warriors Warriored All Over The Celtics

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: (L to R) Kevon Looney #5, Klay Thompson #11, Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game One

What The Hell Happened To The Warriors There?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 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)

The Celtics Sprung A Trap On The Warriors

A bunch of old-timey basketball players from an Olympics in the black-and-white era

GettyImages-1276989222

A Sophisticated And Punctual Preview Of The 2022 NBA Finals, For Basketball Idiots

2022 NBA Finals – Media Day

These NBA Finals Don’t Need To Be About Anything More Than Who Gets A Parade

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with his teammates and the Eastern Conference Bob Cousy champions trophy after defeating the Miami Heat in Game Seven to win the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 29, 2022 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game Seven

The Celtics Fought Like Hell For This

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Golden State Warriors hold the Western Conference Champion trophy after the 120-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Golden State Warriors – Game Five

The Warriors’ Path Back To The Finals Was Never Guaranteed

Disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich putting a mask on after getting pardoned for his many obvious crimes.

Former IL Governor Blagojevich Files Suit In Order To Run For State Office Again

Blowout Season, Graft Culture, And Magnanimous Husband Mode

Image from iOS (36)

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on ahead of Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game Five

Celtics-Heat Is No Fun

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks – Game Four

Steve Kerr’s Anger Is A Starting Point

Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics blocks a shot by Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics – Game Four

The Boston Celtics Were Too Damn Big

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks – Game Three

Andrew Wiggins Is Still Andrew Wiggins, Kind Of

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench during the second half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

lakers-bench-coach

The Lakers Head Coach Job Is Only Good For One Thing

skalaf-photo

Samer Kalaf

Marcus Smart returns to the court after an injury in Game 3

heat-celtics-game3-smart

The Celtics Should Try Three Dramatic Player Returns Next Time

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 19: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game Two

Marcus Smart Makes The Celtics Who They Are