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Defector

Ray Ratto

Stephen Curry attends the Guangdong City Basketball League All-Star Game event on September 12, 2026 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China.

Stephen Curry Leaves $20 Million In His Work Clothes

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Conservative YouTuber and influencer Nick Shirley records during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on exposing fraud in Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. CEO of O’Keefe Media Group James O'Keefe and Acting Vice-President of Policy and Government Affairs at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette also testified about various fraud schemes uncovered across the U.S. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Government By Influencer, With Eamon Whalen

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 28: Head coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz looks on during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 134-109. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Zoomer Cultural Exchange Hour, With ‘State Of The League’

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


Chris Thompson

LeBron James smiles and gestures from the stage of some dumb event.

Life's Rich Pageant

LeBron James Wants Your Paycheck To Become His Paycheck, By Way Of Polymarket

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Steve Ballmer Is Just Going To Have To Take It

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Fans cheer after Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Yibing Wu of China in their Men's Singles Third Round match on Day Six of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Honey Deuce McBride, With Giri Nathan

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Perfect Spiritual Fit Between NBA Player And NBA City Achieved

Australian Football

Better Hate An Owner

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Death To The NCAA

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Samer Kalaf

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer at the Intuit Dome Steel Topping Out,

Journalismism

When All You Have Is A Hammer, Every Headline Looks Like A Nail

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer cheers on his team before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images) 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.

How Do We Make Sense Of ESPN Duffing Its Big Clippers Scoop?

Gillian Zucker, left, president business operation, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Inglewood Mayor James Butts at the announcement that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held at the team's new Inglewood arena, in January of 2024.

Steve Ballmer Betrayed His Fellow Billionaires, And They Are Not Pleased

Tom Ley

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors 103-102 at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026

The Funniest Emails From The Kawhi  Leonard Investigation Are Also The Most Clarifying

Sheel Tyle and Tom Dundon sit at the dais for a press conference.

Tom Dundon Isn’t Acting Alone

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer hands Kawhi Leonard his jersey as he and Paul George are introduced at Green Meadows Recreation Center on July 24, 2019 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

NBA Crushes Clippers After Kawhi Leonard Investigation

TORONTO, ONTARIO - MAY 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors high fives rapper Drake during game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on May 21, 2019 in Toronto, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Canada Vs. America, With Jake Bittle

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 04: (L-R) Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner attend the 2026 Met Gala celebrating "Costume Art" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

I’m On That Good Kushner Alcohol, With Harrison Faigen

Giri Nathan

Los Angeles Lakers' Governor Jeanie Buss during the Los Angeles Lakers unveiling former head coach Pat Riley statue at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

The Buss Children Are Squabbling Over Their Remaining Lakers Stake