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Defector

Samer Kalaf

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer at the Intuit Dome Steel Topping Out,

Journalismism

When All You Have Is A Hammer, Every Headline Looks Like A Nail

Patrick Redford

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer cheers on his team before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Intuit Dome on February 4, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Getty Images) 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.

How Do We Make Sense Of ESPN Duffing Its Big Clippers Scoop?

Ray Ratto

Gillian Zucker, left, president business operation, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Inglewood Mayor James Butts at the announcement that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held at the team's new Inglewood arena, in January of 2024.

Steve Ballmer Betrayed His Fellow Billionaires, And They Are Not Pleased

Tom Ley

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors 103-102 at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026

The Funniest Emails From The Kawhi  Leonard Investigation Are Also The Most Clarifying

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer hands Kawhi Leonard his jersey as he and Paul George are introduced at Green Meadows Recreation Center on July 24, 2019 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)

NBA Crushes Clippers After Kawhi Leonard Investigation

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Steve Ballmer attends the Los Angeles Clippers &amp; Comcast NBCUniversal's NBA All-Star Legendary Tip-Off Celebration at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on February 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/WireImage)

ESPN Reports Steve Ballmer Cleared By NBA’s Kawhi Leonard Investigation, NBA Says Otherwise

Owner Tom Dundon of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks during a press conference before a game on April 2, 2026.

This Is So Stupid

Here Is An Extremely And Needlessly Complicated Way To Rescue Portland From Tom Dundon

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Players, team members and other participants gather to attend the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The NBA’s Lottery Reform Proposal Will Change, But Not Eliminate, Tanking

Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association, watches the game during the second half between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz at Moda Center on March 13, 2026. He is looking extra turtle-ish.

The NBA’s Expansion Gambit Is About Getting Bigger, Not Better

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: (L-R) NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, IOC President Thomas Bach, President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani and President Gianni Infantino attend the Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Podcasts

What Sort Of NBA Does Adam Silver Want To Build In Europe?

Taylor Hendricks of the Utah Jazz talks with team owner Ryan Smith during warmups before their game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026. Smith has a backwards baseball cap on, as always.

The Utah Jazz Got Fined For Losing Too Oafishly

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the pre-game press conference in Berlin.

The NBA Could Really Use A Break

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks onstage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel on September 24, 2025 in New York City.

Adam Silver’s Job Is About To Get So Much Harder

Abysmal Kevin Hart Special Interrupted By Sporadic Basketball

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards walks off the court after the game. Edwards led all scorers with a career high 51 points.

Sure, Go Ahead And Try To Fix The NBA All-Star Game

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

The NBA In-Season Tournament Will Be A Referendum On The Regular Season

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is interviewed before Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The NBA’s Landmark TV Deal Shows What Matters

Jontay Porter Is The NBA’s Collateral Damage

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 17: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The NBA, And The Definition Of Work

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


Chris Thompson

Would Anyone Miss The NBA All-Star Game?

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 11: NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference ahead of the Paris Game 2024 match between Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers at Accor Arena in Paris, France on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Some People Just Can’t Stand To See A Load Managed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center on January 07, 2024 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

After A Whole Three Weeks Of Counseling, Draymond Green Returns To The Warriors

Giri Nathan

Pat McAfee conducts an interview with Adam Silver

Media Meltdowns

Adam Silver Can’t Resist Praising Henry Kissinger On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

attends the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.