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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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Tom Ley

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets draws a triple team from Rudy Gobert (27), Jaden McDaniels (3) and Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 142-138 overtime win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA

Nikola Jokic And Anthony Edwards Gave Us A Christmas Game For All Time

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Patrick Redford

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - DECEMBER 25: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on December 25, 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)

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder

De’Aaron Fox Is In Control

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Ray Ratto

Draymond Green (23) argues an out of bounds call with referee Marc Davis (8) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Orlando Magic on December 22, 2025.

Golden State Warriors vs Orlando Magic

Draymond Green Is Still Innovating In The Meltdown Space

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Jalen Duren #0 and Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena on November 28, 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons

Podcasts

Project B For “Basketball”, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Rachelle Hampton

A man is asleep on a couch in front of a television.

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An Ode To Falling Asleep In Front Of A Basketball Game

Kevin Durant #7of the Houston Rockets exchanges words with Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on December 20, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Houston Rockets v Denver Nuggets

What Can A Man Say To A Man?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a timeout during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 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 John Fisher/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Trapped By His Unwillingness To Be The Bad Guy

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers looks on in street clothes during player introductions before a game against the Detroit Pistons

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Following The Damned Pacers Through The Pits Of Hell

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

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.

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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