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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.

Defector

Laura Wagner

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns watches during the second half in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 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.

Media Meltdowns

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Championship Inspires Confusing Poetry

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Deandre Ayton Lost, But He Still Had Fun

Ray Ratto

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Mike Budenholzer Did What He Had To Do

Patrick Redford

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bucks Exorcised All Their Demons

Tom Ley

Giannis, Oh My God

Albert Burneko

Young girls play basketball in a swimming pool in a 1930s photo

A Deep And Illuminating NBA Finals Preview For Basketball Morons

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks draws up a play during a huddle during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Congrats To Mike Budenholzer On Not Being Fired

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers reacts to the crowd after a Phoenix Suns foul during the first half in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 30, 2021 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 Harry How/Getty Images)

Is That All There Is?

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

This formulation was never going to work.

Guys Can Only Get You So Far

The Clippers Are Not Dead

Was That Some Sort Of Prank?

Let Us Now Watch Game 1 Of The Eastern Conference Finals, And Speak Of It Together

Giri Nathan

Deandre Ayton Had To “Like, Dunk It, OK?” So He Did

<a href="https://jeremygordon.xyz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeremy Gordon</a>&#8216;s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, and Pitchfork.

Jeremy Gordon

A Grand Unified Theory For Achieving Total Basketball Enlightenment

Trae Young Is The Best Enemy

What Was Doc Supposed To Do?

Basketball Is Played By People, Not Archetypes

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 20: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers bumps into fans during the fourth quarter during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center on June 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Who Wants Ben Simmons?

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate the win of game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in overtime to win the series.

Defensive Heroics Made For A Wild Night In The NBA And NHL Playoffs

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates a basket in Game Five of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 16, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Enjoy The Paul George Redemption Arc

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

Dan McQuade

A Dispatch From The Most Horrible Sixers Collapse Of My Lifetime

What The Damn Hell

Kevin Durant Finally Had The Moment To Himself

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers slam dunks against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 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)

Kawhi Leonard Locks In

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game Seven of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.