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<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics Are Gifting The Heat This Series

Israel Daramola

LeBron Cost The Lakers

Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 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 (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

Ray Ratto

DENVER, CO - MAY 16 : Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

The Lakers Better Hope Their Jokic-Stopper Is For Real

BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the 76ers looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 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 (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sixers Deny Doc Rivers The Chance At A Fourth Straight Second-Round Loss

Giri Nathan

Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell hug each other.

Two Fans Of Usually Bad Teams Deal With The Specter Of Expectations

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid covers his face with a towel.

Joel Embiid Is A Finite Resource

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics collides with Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

That’s Gotta Hurt

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Devin Booker #1 stands with head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 11, 2023 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 Suns Did It Again


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Sixers Had Another Nightmare Finish Against Boston

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semi-finals on May 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jayson Tatum Hit The Shots When It Mattered

The Bucks’ Playoff Defeat Has Caused Giannis To Massively Think

Quentin Grimes steals the ball from Jimmy Butler

Quentin Grimes Ignored The Pain And Stole The Ball

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 10: LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on May 10, 2023 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Lakers-Warriors Is A Series Searching For A Story

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Joel Embiid Is Showing Up His Biggest Critic: Joel Embiid

Tom Ley

The Nuggets Need Jamal Murray Pulling Face

Los Angeles, CA - May 08: Lakers forward LeBron James forces Warriors guard Stephen Curry to turn over the ball with less than tweo seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday, May 8,, 2023. Los Angeles on Monday, May 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Warriors Blew It

Lonnie Walker IV Rewarded LeBron James’s Trust

TORONTO, ON- MAY 7 - Toronto Maple Leafs fans leave after the Leafs fall 3-2 in Florida for game three in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, Toronto fans gathered at Maple Leaf Square outside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. May 7, 2023. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The Leafs Are The Hockey Knicks, Unless It’s The Other Way Around

Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat grabs the rebound during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks on May 8, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami,

The Heat Sapped New York’s Will To Live One Rebound At A Time

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 7: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets slightly stares at Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia before would Ishbia theatrically fall back into his seat after Suns player Josh Okogie (2) flew into the stands during the second quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Let’s All Agree That Nikola Jokic Shoving Mat Ishbia Was Good Fun

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers falls to the court after colliding with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Celtics Own The Sixers

Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on April 04, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)