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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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The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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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.

2021 NBA Finals – Game Six

Media Meltdowns

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Championship Inspires Confusing Poetry

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Deandre Ayton Lost, But He Still Had Fun

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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

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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

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Tom Ley

2021 NBA Finals – Game Five

Giannis, Oh My God

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Albert Burneko

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

SWIMMING-LEISURE-FEATURE-SPORT

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)

Atlanta Hawks v Milwaukee Bucks – Game Two

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)

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Six

Is That All There Is?

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Chris Thompson

This formulation was never going to work.

Guys Can Only Get You So Far

The Clippers Are Not Dead

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Four

Was That Some Sort Of Prank?

Atlanta Hawks v Philadelphia 76ers – Game Seven

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

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Giri Nathan

Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns – Game Two

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


<p><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. </p>


Jeremy Gordon

A Grand Unified Theory For Achieving Total Basketball Enlightenment

Atlanta Hawks v Philadelphia 76ers – Game Five

Trae Young Is The Best Enemy

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What Was Doc Supposed To Do?

Philadelphia 76ers v Atlanta Hawks – Game Six

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.

Milwaukee Bucks v Brooklyn Nets – Game Seven

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)

Los Angeles Clippers v Utah Jazz – Game Five

Enjoy The Paul George Redemption Arc

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