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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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Patrick Redford

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 02: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Ball Arena on April 02, 2024 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets

Podcasts

A Unifying Theory Of European Hoopers, With Tom Krell

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Giri Nathan

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards against Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Mike Christy/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns

LeBron James And The Lakers Benefit From The Duality Of Dillon Brooks

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 06: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers runs down court during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Arena on December 06, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 99-94. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers Situation Is Alarming

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David Roth

Victor Wembanyama and his long ass arms grab a rebound over Jaylen Williams of the Thunder during the fourth quarter of a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder : Emirates NBA Cup – Semifinals

The Spurs Showed How To Beat The Thunder

A general view of an NBA on NBC camera during the game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 25, 2025.

nba on nbc camera

Let’s Check In On The State Of The NBA’s National Broadcasts

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Derik Queen #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a play during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on December 08, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

San Antonio Spurs v New Orleans Pelicans

Derik Queen Might Be Good Enough To Make A Colossally Dumb Decision Look Slightly Less Dumb

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James’s Scoring Streak Tells The Story

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2025 in Inglewood, 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Clippers

It Is A Moral Imperative For The Rest Of The NBA To Improve The Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dillon Brooks Wants The Last Word

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


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Chris Thompson

Chris Paul

The Clippers Checked Out Early From Chris Paul’s Retirement Tour

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Journalismism

Suns Reporter Describes Death Threats And Moving His Family Out Of Phoenix After Charlie Kirk Tweets

BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1984: Referee Earl Strom #12 looks on prior to the start of an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics circa 1984 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Strom was an NBA referee for 29 years. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Earl Strom

Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

The Ray Ratto Guide To Officiating

Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija Kicks Mondo Ass Now

James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after a no foul call during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on November 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

James Harden Clippers

The Clippers Are Circling The Toilet

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a layup against John Collins #20 and Nicolas Batum #33 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at Intuit Dome on November 29, 2025 in Inglewood, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

Cooper Flagg Makes History Against The Ancient Clippers

Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass the ball against Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans v Golden State Warriors

The Warriors Without Steph Curry Are Bad, But The Pelicans Are Still Worse

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Ray Ratto

Cason Wallace #22, Isaiah Hartenstein #55, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, Chet Holmgren #7, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 23, 2025.

Portland Trail Blazers v Oklahoma City Thunder

Are The Thunder Too Good?

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 24: Brandon Ingram #3 of the Toronto Raptors waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on November 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors

Welcome To The ‘Nothing But Respect’ Media Hour

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after he dunks in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Little Caesars Arena on November 17, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Rick Osentoski/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Detroit Pistons

Jalen Duren, Phenomenal Leaper, Has Made The Leap

Kon Knueppel

Can Anything Make The Hornets Make Sense?

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on from the bench in the second half during timeout against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

Memphis Grizzlies v Dallas Mavericks

Even In Street Clothes, Ja Morant Is The Drama

Victor Wembanyama sits court-side in street clothes.

Wemby in street clothes

Basketball Is Too Hard For All This Soft Tissue

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket after being fouled by Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson (2) in the first half

Lakers vs Jazz in Los Angeles, CA

LeBron James Embraces His Version Of An Old-Man Game

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 29: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics watches warmups before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden on October 29, 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics

Which NBA Teams Are Cool?

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors gets into a verbal altercation with a fan during the second quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 16, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v New Orleans Pelicans

A Brand-New Draymond Green Incident Cycle Has Arrived Right On Schedule