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Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Giannis Antetokounmpo smiles after pranking Jaylen Brown.

NBA Friendship Wobbled By Ill-Timed Fake Handshake

Ray Ratto

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 8: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a made basket during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center on November 8, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

The NBA Is Turning Into One Big Hospital Ward

Johnny Davis of the Wizards, flailing at the basketball while being struck in the face, with the word "BUTT" superimposed over his arm.

Here Are Some Young NBA Players Who Are Butt

It Has Come To This: A Derrick White Appreciation Blog

Stephen Curry (right) and Steve Kerr (left) high-five during an April 26, 2023 Warriors game against the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors Are Still Doing It The Warriors Way

Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a foul call during the first half against the Phoenix Suns on November 4, 2024.

The Eastern Conference Is 87 Percent Butt

Patrick Redford

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bucks defeated the 76ers 124-109. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Playing Like Milwaukee Butt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on October 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid Shoves Author Of Weird Column About Him Shaming The Memory Of His Dead Brother

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder leaves the court after the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 24, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Chet Holmgren Is The Future, Too

Bronny James talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers Gave An Assist To Bronny By Beating The Shit Out Of The Lakers

Giri Nathan

A statue of Dwyane Wade outside the Miami Heat's arena

That Isn’t Dwyane Wade, Sir

Dave McKenna

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1992: Jerrod Mustaf #0 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to playing the Washington Bullets in an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Mustaf played for the Suns from 1991-94.

Sadly, Jerrod Mustaf Was More Than A Basketball Player

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

These Lakers Already Feel Different

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates against the Houston Rocketsduring the second half at Toyota Center on October 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

The Hornets Are Under Construction, But LaMelo Ball Is Still Really Fun To Watch

Albert Burneko

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, illuminated by somewhat spooky crimson light during the pregame ceremonies ahead of Thursday night's road game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Victor Wembanyama’s Hands Missed Opening Night

Luis Paez-Pumar

Tom Ley

A circa-1900 black-and-white photo of basketball players receiving dance lessons from a lady in a flapper hat and dress.

A Preview Of The 2024-25 NBA Season, Accurately Enumerating Everything That Will Happen In It

<a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://demause.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://demause.net/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">Neil deMause</a> has covered sports economics for more publications than even he can shake a stick at. He’s co-author of the book <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Field-Schemes-Stadium-Swindle-Private/dp/1567511384?ascsubtag=c9dca64cfbbd6c35085d286f4423ee39b8350b2f&amp;rawdata=%5Br%7Chttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F%5Bks%7Cgoogle%5Bt%7Clink%5Bp%7C1800657108%5Ba%7C1567511384%5Bau%7C5722120546910826704%5Bb%7Cdeadspinascsubtag%3D4eba2da0f6cc83fe1f221e8d8ca5894cd93bf2a7ascsubtag%3D33f4f2a16c1eda72859c34ee8aa577410b04a0d8&amp;tag=deadspinamzn-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-ga="[[&quot;Commerce&quot;,&quot;deadspin - Baseball Doesn't Need Collusion To Turn Off The Hot Stove&quot;,&quot;1567511384&quot;]]" data-amazonasin="1567511384" data-amazontag="deadspinamzn-20" data-amazonsubtag="[r|https://www.google.com/[ks|google[t|link[p|1831644811[a|1567511384[au|5722120546910826704[b|deadspin[lt|text" data-commerceready="true">Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit</a>, and runs <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://fieldofschemes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://fieldofschemes.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">the website of the same name</a>.

Neil deMause

Philadelphia skyline with white puffy clouds focusing on William Penn Statue Broad Street area, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Philadelphia Has A Lot To Lose On The New 76ers Arena

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

Dan McQuade

The Mark Jackson 1990-91 NBA Hoops card with the Menendez Brothers courtside in the background

Why I Own An Unremarkable 1990 Mark Jackson Basketball Card

Shams Charania speaks with Mike Miller (L) and Donnie McGrath during the Paolo Banchero All Star Weekend kickoff party

Journalismism

Shams Charania’s Syntactical Talents Are Headed Toward A Bristol-Based Location

Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates scoring against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 11, 2023 in New York City. 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)

Julius Randle’s Knicks Tenure Was Exhilarating And Infuriating

Steve Ballmer speaks onstage at the Intuit Dome opening night event held at Intuit Dome on August 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Clippers Fans, And Only Clippers Fans, Can Now Buy Alcohol At 3:17 In The Morning In California

Rachelle Hampton

Donte DiVincenzo talks with Josh Hart of the New York Knicks. Both are standing on the court, looking at something to the left off camera.

The Trade Is The Cruelest Thing In Sports

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up prior to Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center on May 30, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.