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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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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Chris Thompson

It All Comes Down To Anthony Davis

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David Roth

Malik Monk prepares to push the button that illuminates the beam after Sacramento's win against Golden State in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs series.

Podcasts

The Beam Shines For All, With Patrick Redford

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Ray Ratto

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors – Game One

Jordan Poole, Off The Deep End

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Patrick Redford

DENVER, CO - MAY 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Is A Big Strong Guy

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Samer Kalaf

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The Grizzlies Are Done With Dillon Brooks

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Giri Nathan

2023 NBA Playoffs – Miami Heat v New York Knicks

RJ Barrett Needs To Be More Up Than Down


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during Round Two Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at the TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

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James Harden Outshot The Celtics, Somehow

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 30: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings embraces Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after Round One Game Seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2023 at Golden 1 Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings

It’s Over For The Sacramento Kings, Who Are Just Getting Started

Dillon Brooks does a pre-game jump-kick.

Eating Some Shit Might Be Just What The Grizzlies Need

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Albert Burneko

Steph Curry with the Sacramento crowd behind him

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Well, Shit: Steph Curry’s Fourth-Quarter Buckets, Graded For Rudeness

Trae Young prepares to inbound the ball, defended by Marcus Smart.

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

2023 NBA Playoffs – Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks

Mitchell Robinson Was The Biggest Big

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at Golden 1 Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Draymond Green And The Warriors Taught Sacramento A Painful Lesson

Donovan Mitchell watches the Cavaliers lose.

The Cavaliers Paid The Price For Arriving Ahead Of Schedule

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Giannis Erupts On Reporter With Heated Display Of Nuanced Understanding Of The Ultimate Purpose Of Sport

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks scores the game winning shot during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

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Tom Ley

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Anthony Edwards (1) of the Minnesota Timberwolves stands during a break in action in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA PLAYOFFS

Anthony Edwards Needs Some New Pals

LeBron James celebrates after scoring the decisive overtime basket.

LeBron James Sure Knows How To Pick His Spots

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches a shot he took against the Sacramento Kings during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 23, 2023 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors – Game Four

This Is What Flipping The Switch Looks Like

Cleveland Cavaliers v New York Knicks – Game Four

StarJ Barrett!

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round One Game Four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

2023 NBA Playoffs – Sacramento Kings v Golden State Warriors

The Kings Needed To Be Just A Little Better

Russell Westbrook Is Just The Man To Salvage Dignity In Defeat

Dillon Brooks pulls a face after being ejected.

Dillon Brooks Was Humiliating Himself Well Before He Made Contact With The Balls

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - APRIL 21: Fans of the New York Knicks are seen during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States. Filmmaker Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee watches the game with a Knicks jersey at Madison Square Garden.

NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks

Defector Up All Night

Let’s Have An NBA And NHL Playoffs Open Thread

Los Angeles, - April 20: Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench in street clothes against of the Phoenix Suns in the first half of game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns defeated the LA Clippers 129-124 to win game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game.

It’s About Star Power

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