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Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is fouled while going up for a shot against Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on January 11, 2026 in Sacramento, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

Sacramento Watch: Several Teams Tainted By Proximity To Kings

Ray Ratto

Bill Kennedy explaining, to the NBC cameras, that a play was called correctly. He is making "the Bill Kennedy face."

Everybody Loves Bill Kennedy

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks the floor during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Paycom Center on January 5, 2026 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

The Thunder Are Mortal

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 27: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at State Farm Arena on December 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trae Young

Trae Young Is A Casualty Of The Changing NBA

Podcasts

A Brief Lineage Of The NBA’s Supposed Swag Crisis, With Devon Walker

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second half of the game against the Detroit Pistonsat the TD Garden on November 26, 2025 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Jaylen Brown Is Handling The Spotlight Just Fine

Where Does ‘Marty Supreme’ Rank Among Recent Sports Movies?

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.

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

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)

De’Aaron Fox Is In Control

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.

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)

Project B For “Basketball”, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Rachelle Hampton

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

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.

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)

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

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

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

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)

A Unifying Theory Of European Hoopers, With Tom Krell

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)

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)

The Cleveland Cavaliers Situation Is Alarming

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.

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.

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)

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)

LeBron James’s Scoring Streak Tells The Story

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2025 in Inglewood, 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images)

It Is A Moral Imperative For The Rest Of The NBA To Improve The Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers 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)

Dillon Brooks Wants The Last Word

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

NBA