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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

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winter 2023 gift (eyebrow)

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Chris Thompson

John Wall Will Finally Get Another Chance To Be A Basketball Player

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Giri Nathan

Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics – Game One

Report: Kyrie Irving, Not A Normal Person, To Lead Us Into Tomorrow

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Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Kyrie Irving attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)

2022 BET Awards – Arrivals

So I Guess We’re Doing This Again

2022 NBA Draft

The Knicks Are Proud Of Their Confusing, Crummy Draft Night

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Ray Ratto

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Four

Fine, Let’s Talk About Kevin Durant All Summer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Paolo Banchero pose for photos after Banchero was drafted with the 1st overall pick by the Orlando Magic during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 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)

The Magic Shocked Everyone By Selecting Paolo Banchero First Overall

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 25: Shaedon Sharpe #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on January 25, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Mississippi State v Kentucky

What Is Mystery Man Shaedon Sharpe’s Deal?

Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a play in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

2022 NBA Finals – Game Four

Seven Totally Baseless Guesses Why Warriors Assistant Kenny Atkinson Snubbed The Hornets

Andrew Wiggins cradles the Larry O'Brien trophy.

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Andrew Wiggins Inspired Underachievers Everywhere

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Six

Gary Payton II Traversed Basketball Purgatory On His Way To A Championship

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The Real Champion Is You, Who Gets To Look At These Sad Boston Fans

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Albert Burneko

Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber hoist the Larry O'Brien NBA championship trophy

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Get The Owner Out Of My Face

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Klay Thompson Is Just Happy To Be Here Again

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

The Warriors Answered Every Question

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David Roth

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera staring very intensely at new quarterback Carson Wentz, but The Distraction logo has been superimposed over Wentz's face.

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Podcasts

Endurance Basketball, Dystopian Golf, And The Plight Of The Sacrificial Mensch

Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors) wrestle Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) for the ball

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What’s Up With Jayson Tatum?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Five

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

Draymond Green in his postgame press conference after the Warriors beat the Pistons 118-91 on Saturday, January 30.

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Draymond Green Podcasted Beyond The Point Of Shame

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

Workers look at the rim with a big ladder

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The Rim Wasn’t The Correct Height!

of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Three

Robert Williams Was Everywhere

<a href="http://www.ddavisla.com">David Davis</a> is the author of Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans from World War Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation. A <a href="https://sidewinderfilms.org/films/waterman">documentary</a> based on his previous book, Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku, airs on <a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/waterman-duke-ambassador-of-aloha-ot83gi/">PBS’s American Masters series</a> on May 10.

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David Davis

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How They Shot “The Last Shot”

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-104. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers v Phoenix Suns

The NBA’s Actual Ref Problem, Explained

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Two

That Was A Hell Of A Defensive Performance

Stephen Curry shoots against Al Horford and Robert Williams in Game 2 of the NBA Finals

The Warriors Warriored All Over The Celtics

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: (L to R) Kevon Looney #5, Klay Thompson #11, Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Finals – Game One

What The Hell Happened To The Warriors There?