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Patrick Redford

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 08: Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils looks over the court during the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Where Should Cooper Flagg End Up?

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Tyrese Haliburton rises up for the game-winner.

The Pacers Drew Up A Beauty And Were Rewarded With A Miracle

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at the TD Garden on January 12, 2025 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.

Payton Pritchard Brings The Hush

Evan Mobley drives past Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Cavaliers Are Now Playing With Their Food

Samer Kalaf

Celtics Bring Lakers Back Down To Earth

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

‘Court Of Gold’ Is Brilliant When It Gets Specific

Giri Nathan

Draymond Green smiles at a press conference after being told that Karl-Anthony Towns did not miss a game because he was scared of Jimmy Butler, per Green's speculation, but because of the death of a family friend

Draymond Green Pivots From Slander To Depraved Podcast Promo

<p>Alex Prewitt is a writer in Brooklyn. He shoots free throws the normal way.</p>


Alex Prewitt

How “Ball Don’t Lie” Became More Than A Basketball Mantra

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts for the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

JJ Redick Invented A New Way To Defend Nikola Jokic, And It’s Working

Ray Ratto

Darius Garland reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat

The Cavaliers Are Going To Take Some Getting Used To

Tom Ley

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 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.

LeBron Damn James

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 01: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of the game at the Wells Fargo Center on March 1, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

It’s Not A Real NBA Season Until Steve Kerr Complains About Traveling

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 03: (L-R) Naji Marshall #13, Kyrie Irving #11 and Max Christie #00 of the Dallas Mavericks pause during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on March 03, 2025 in Dallas, 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Mavericks Are Staring Into The Abyss

Justin Ellis

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama walks off the court and waves to fans after a game.

Maybe Trading Childhood Memories For Profit Is Not A Market Advantage

Israel Daramola

Steph Curry dribbling the ball in a game against the Orlando Magic.

Steph Curry Still Has The Nuclear Button

Luka Doncic Rubs The Mavericks’ Noses In Their Own Mess

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 21, 2025 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 Thunder Need Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Greatness To Be Enough

The Grim Reaper Is Headed To Philadelphia

and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Butler scored and was fouled on the shot against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2025.

The Warriors Might Be Onto Something

David Roth

Klay Thompson making the stink-face after hitting a three, being congratulated by an erased visual vacuum shaped exactly like Luka Doncic and with a Mavs logo where his head should be, in a frame from a since-deleted Mavericks hype video.

Dallas Mavericks Oafishly Edit Hype Video, Then Delete Hype Video

A general view of the atmosphere at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 24, 2016 in New Orleans, with a fried crab po'boy front and center.

Podcasts

Some Basketball, Some Sandwich, With Rohan Nadkarni

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 15: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks backcourt during a game against the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum on January 15, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Bobby Portis’s Big Suspension Is Ruinous Bullshit

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Chuck's Global Stars warms up during 2025 NBA All-Star Practice &amp; Media Availability at Oakland Arena on February 15, 2025 in Oakland, 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)

Victor Wembanyama Is Done For The Season Due To A Blood Clot In His Shoulder

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2025 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)

LeBron And Luka Will Have To Make A Weird, Compromised Roster Work

Dallas Mavericks fans lift a cutout of general manager Nico Harrison with a clown nose during a protest of the trade of Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic outside the American Airlines Center.

NBA