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Defector

Patrick Redford

US Chess grandmaster Hans Niemann speaks to the press in the run-up to the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, on January 11, 2024. Niemann was previously accused of cheating by former world champion Norway's Magnus Carlsen, but the two have now ended their feud. (Photo by Olaf KRAAK / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT

Podcasts

Why Did The Magnus Vs. Hans Cheating Scandal Shake The Chess World So Much?

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Josh Plays Pickup Basketball

David Roth

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during Game Five of the 2025 World Series. The Distraction logo is at upper left and the light above the stadium is lovely.

I Like To Get A Solid 12 Hours

FBI Director Kash Patel leads news conference to announce arrests tied to illegal sports betting and poker game schemes, in New York City on October 23, 2025. NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday for alleged involvement in illegal gambling. Billups, a former Detroit Pistons star and member of the NBA Hall of Fame, was arrested in connection with rigged illegal poker games tied to the Mafia, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Rozier and a former NBA player, Damon Jones, were arrested in a sports betting case, Patel said at a press conference in New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Everything Is Gambling Now, With Liz Franczak

Shohei Ohtani rs rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

No That’s Too Good, With Justin Halpern

A crazy-ass map of the Thunder as Agentic basketball team

An Interview With The Guy Anthony Edwards Called “Fly As Fuck” While Giving Timothee Chalamet The White Boy Of The Year Award

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG --- Kings's Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings played the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Ca., on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

Were The 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals Really Fixed?

Rax King Plays The Banjo

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.

The Most Difficult Job In The World, With Seth Wickersham

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 6: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Paycom Center on April 6, 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)

The 2024–25 NBA Season, Reviewed

Announcements

‘Only If You Get Caught’ Is One Week Away

People walk past an installation showcasing the Riyadh Comedy Festival at Boulevard City in the Hittin neighborhood of Riyadh on October 6, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

Maxing Out The Candle Budget, With Eli Yudin

Cathy Vs. Phee In The Basketball Court Of Public Opinion, With Jordan Robinson And Maitreyi Anantharaman

Sabrina Goes Hunting

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

A Double Dose Of ‘Nothing But Respect,’ With Maitreyi Anantharaman And Max Wolf Friedlich

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Analytics, Feel, And The Bathroom Sandwich Scenario, With Andy Behrens And Christopher Harris

PARADISE, NEVADA - JULY 24: An aerial view of the construction site of New Las Vegas Stadium, the future home of the Athletics baseball team, on the site of the former Tropicana Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, on July 24, 2025 in Paradise, Nevada. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

This Building Is A Bucket, With Ben Schneider

Ceara (Almost) Learns To Cartwheel

Jalen Hurts looking thoughtful after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Teaching Jalen Hurts How To Complain, With Dan McQuade

A Dissection Of The Kawhi Leonard Scandal, With Noah Kulwin

General manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024. He is scowling under a hoodie.

Management Secrets Of Assholes, And Five Years Of Defector

A WNBA Playoff Preview For Everyone, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Diana Learns To Ride A Bike

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens participates in warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys.