defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

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_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

back-in-stock-for-a-limited-time

Merch v3

headshot1

Patrick Redford

A detailed view of a hand holding a Fanduel Sports Network–branded microphone during an interview after the Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics on February 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

fanduel microphone

Gambling

The NBA Media Is Not Built To Cover A Gambling Scandal

IMG_5859

Giri Nathan

A circle around the mark Jaylen Brown left on OG Anunoby's jersey during a game

jaylen-brown-og-anunoby-hair-analysis

Jaylen Brown’s Really Leaving His Mark On Opponents

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


Profile Pic

Chris Thompson

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks

Nico Harrison, Mavericks Fans, And Rooting Against Your Guys

shams-charania-investigation

Shams Charania Tries Out Legal Commentary, With Perplexing Results

ratto-ray_400x400

Ray Ratto

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks onstage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel on September 24, 2025 in New York City.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025

Adam Silver’s Job Is About To Get So Much Harder

Terry Rozier #2 of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on March 02, 2025 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images) PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 22: Head coach Chauncey Billips of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center on October 22, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

billups-rozier

Chauncey Billups And Terry Rozier Arrested In Connection With Federal Gambling Investigations

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a score during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 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.

Wemby’s Going To Make Things Ugly For These Guys

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 21: Steven Adams #12 of the Houston Rockets keeps control of the ball from Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on October 21, 2025 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. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder

Being Huge Is Cool Again

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG --- Kings's Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings played the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Ca., on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG — Kings’s Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings playe

Podcasts

Were The 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals Really Fixed?

IMG_6025-800

Albert Burneko

image0 (5)

Israel Daramola

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Male students playing basketball, Western High School, Washington, D.C., circa 1899

old timey hoops

Harken Ye Unto The 2025–26 NBA Season Preview, Which Stands Before You

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 6: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Paycom Center on April 6, 2025 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. (Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Oklahoma City Thunder

The 2024–25 NBA Season, Reviewed

Kawhi Leonard answers questions at a Clippers media day presser

kawhi-leonard

Kawhi Leonard Breaks His Silence, Sort Of

art1

A Dissection Of The Kawhi Leonard Scandal, With Noah Kulwin

gerald-bourguet

Journalismism

NBA Reporter Fired After Accurately Describing Charlie Kirk’s Beliefs

steve-ballmer-espn

Steve Ballmer Pleads Ignorance About Kawhi Leonard’s Outside Money

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers attends a press conference at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Center Gymnasium during his 2025 Asia Tour on August 23, 2025.

NBA Star Kawhi Leonard 2025 Asia Tour In China’s Sichuan Province

Kawhi Leonard And Los Angeles Clippers Implicated In Low-Effort Tree-Planting Scheme

Doris Burke

ESPN Demotes Wrong Culprit From Lousy NBA Finals Commentary Team

shamsespn1

Media Meltdowns

The Feds, Unlike Shams Charania, Have Not Cleared Malik Beasley’s Gambling Case