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Defector

Ray Ratto

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors sits on the bench during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game on April 17, 2026.

In A Summer Of Superstar Movement, Steph Curry Is Conspicuously At Home

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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Coby White, Moussa Diabaté, and Kon Knueppel

The Hornets Aspire To Be An Also-Ran With A Plan

Brad Stevens, Celtics president of basketball operations.

What Do The Boston Celtics Intend To Be?

Malik Beasley Charged With Bribery, Money Laundering, And Wire Fraud In Alleged Prop-Bet Scheme

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is A Heat

Lauren Theisen

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - JUNE 8: OG Anunoby (8) of the New York Knicks and De'Aaron Fox (4) of San Antonio Spurs in action during the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at the Madison Square Garden in New York, United States on June 8, 2026. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

De’Aaron Fox, What Were You Thinking?

We’ve Arrived At The “Nitpicking The Officiating” Portion Of The Finals

Jalen Brunson drives the ball against De'Aaron Fox

Jalen Brunson Finished Off A Karl-Anthony Towns Master Class

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals.

There’s No Such Thing As An Inevitable Team In The NBA

Jared McCain of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates

The Thunder Have Numbers

Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs.

Mike Brown Is Turning Skeptics Into Believers

Stephon Castle dribbles against Alex Caruso

You Do Not Have To Hand It To Oklahoma City, And By “It” I Mean The Basketball

Victor Wembanyama dunks over Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams

My God, Victor Wembanyama

The Pistons Had Their Chances

Brandon Clarke concentrates before a game.

Brandon Clarke Found Dead In California

Ben Dowsett is a freelance technology and sports nerd based in Utah. His other recent work can be found at Wired, ESPN and elsewhere.

Ben Dowsett

Scientists look at a digital rendering of a basketball player taking a jumper

Can The Jumper Be Hacked? Inside Basketball’s Next Arms Race

G-Wiz, the mascot of the Washington Wizards, stands courtside.

Bum-Ass Franchise Wins Last-Ditch Pot Of Gold After Years Of Self-Exile

Giri Nathan

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Interviews

Longtime NBA Photographer Nathaniel S. Butler Explains How He Sees Basketball

Stephen Curry (30) speaks with coach Steve Kerr during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, California, on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Steve Kerr Hasn’t Had Enough Just Yet

Cade Cunningham handles the basketball with Max Strus guarding.

The Pistons Are Getting Down To Business

Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The Sixers And Flyers Claim Home Court Over Bruce Springsteen

Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a game in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs on April 30, 2026.

Sheesh!

David Roth

Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway (L) watches New York Knicks' center Charles Oakley (C) and Miami Heat center PJ Brown (R) go for a rebound in second period action of their game 12 April at the Miami Arena.

Podcasts

Getting Kicked In The Back By P.J. Brown

Morez Johnson Jr. of the Michigan Wolverines dunks the ball during the National Semifinal game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Arizona Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026.

basketball