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Ray Ratto

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Stephen Curry #30 after scoring and drawing a foul against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half during an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 08, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

I Suppose What The Warriors Needed All Along Was Will Ferrell

Israel Daramola

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, as seen in the HBO series "Winning Time"

HBO’s ‘Winning Time’ Is Overstated, But Says What Other Sports Entertainment Won’t

Patrick Redford

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 20: Nikola Jokic #15 of Team LeBron and Joel Embiid #21 of Team Durant talk during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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)

Let’s Take Stock Of The NBA MVP Race

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Welcome To Obscurity, Kristaps

If LeBron James Can Score 56 Points Every Game, The Lakers Might Be Alright

Here Come The Celtics

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Jrue Holiday Is Indispensable

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on March 01, 2022 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)

Luka Doncic Went Out Of His Way To Cook LeBron James

Maybe Now Markelle Fultz Can Finally Just Play Some Basketball

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Ja Morant and teammates celebrate after his buzzer beater to end the first. half

Ja Morant Is An Unhuman Highlight Reel Right Now

Albert Burneko

Just Steph Curry, Calmly Being Impossible

Tom Ley

The New Sixers Are Going To Drive People Crazy

Maitreyi Anantharaman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he attempts to layup against CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Nobody Likes The Lakers

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets walks backcourt during a game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on January 12, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Here Comes Kyrie Irving

De’Aaron Fox’s NFT Project Suddenly, Mysteriously Shuts Down

D’Angelo Russell And The Timberwolves Might Be—Could Be! Possibly!—Good Now

Here's Mauer on that stupid Whitlock show

Former NBA Referee Ken Mauer: I’m A Big Asshole

ZionWatch: Finally Spoke To New Teammate

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 01: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers sits courtside before Game Five of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 01, 2021 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

LeBron James And Rich Paul Are Turning The Heat Up On Rob Pelinka

Media Meltdowns

Here Are Two Utterly Unbearable Minutes Of TV Sports Debate

The Knicks Not Fit For Viewing

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 16: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after an injury to his hand and a technical-foul during the second half of the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center on February 16, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Rockets 124-121. 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)

Chris Paul And The Suns Deserve A Hand

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 10: Enes Freedom #13 of the Boston Celtics stands on the court during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 10, 2021 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Only Thing Stopping Me From Captaining The Los Angeles Lakers Is My Brave Support Of Human Rights

Take A Moment To Appreciate Cam Thomas Before He Returns To The Vault

Remade Blazers Rub Knicks’ Noses In Their Own Mess