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Defector

Giri Nathan

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images)

The Cavs Created The Conditions For A Josh Hart Game

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 21: Actors Tracy Morgan (R) and Timothée Chalamet (3R) attend Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Back-To-Back Blown Leads, With Noah Kulwin Of ‘Blowback’

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Stephon Castle dribbles against Alex Caruso

You Do Not Have To Hand It To Oklahoma City, And By “It” I Mean The Basketball

Tom Ley

The Knicks Made A Delicious Meal Out Of James Harden

Luis Paez-Pumar

Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Dylan Harper Demands Your Attention

Victor Wembanyama dunks over Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams

My God, Victor Wembanyama

Samer Kalaf

Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Bison performs during a break in play

Journalismism

Oklahoma Newspaper Deletes Column Comparing Thunder To Israel

Barry Petchesky

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner, looks on before Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on April 24, 2026 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Not Exactly Inspiring Confidence

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the third quarter in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Pistons Did Everything Wrong

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) embrace after the Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 139-109 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals to clinch the series at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Friday, May 15, 2026. ]

These NBA Playoffs Have Been Fantastic

David Roth

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs on May 12, 2026.

The “Too Large” Gesture, With Patrick Redford

The Pistons Had Their Chances

Jason Collins warms up for the Brooklyn Nets

Jason Collins Got To Tell His Own Story

Brandon Clarke concentrates before a game.

Brandon Clarke Found Dead In California

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MAY 12: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a foul shot after a technical was called against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Victor Wembanyama Must Be Seen To Be Believed

Los Angeles, CA - May 11: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in game four of the second round of the NBA playoffs in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, May 11, 2026. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Heaven Help Us, The Thunder Have Yet Another Dude

DENVER , CO - APRIL 27: Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates making a three pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 125-113 win in game five of their NBA Playoffs series on Monday, April 27, 2026. The Timberwolves lead 3-2 as they head back to Minneapolis for game six. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

The Father Who Stepped Back, With Tom Krell

Ben Dowsett is a freelance technology and sports nerd based in Utah. His other recent work can be found at Wired, ESPN and elsewhere.

Ben Dowsett

Scientists look at a digital rendering of a basketball player taking a jumper

Can The Jumper Be Hacked? Inside Basketball’s Next Arms Race

G-Wiz, the mascot of the Washington Wizards, stands courtside.

Bum-Ass Franchise Wins Last-Ditch Pot Of Gold After Years Of Self-Exile

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Interviews

Longtime NBA Photographer Nathaniel S. Butler Explains How He Sees Basketball

Ray Ratto

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - CIRCA 1990: The Rocky statue stands atop the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1990. The statue of fictional character Rocky Balboa, as portrayed by actor Sylvester Stallone, was created for and used in the Rocky III movie. It was later located outside the Spectrum at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. In 1990, it was temporarily moved to the top of the museum steps, which feature prominently in the original Rocky film, for the filming of Rocky V. In 2006, the statue was moved to a grassy area at street level on museum grounds. (Photo by James Drake/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Continues To Innovate In The Field Of Losing

Stephen Curry (30) speaks with coach Steve Kerr during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, California, on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Steve Kerr Hasn’t Had Enough Just Yet

The Timberwolves Were Elbowed And Kicked Back Into The Series

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

James Harden Is Powering Down

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 26: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on prior to Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 26, 2026 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

NBA