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Defector

David Roth

Oscar Cluff #45 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks for a shot against Morez Johnson Jr. #21 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game on March 15, 2026.

Podcasts

Let’s Get Upset, With Ken Pomeroy

<a href="https://twitter.com/kenpomeroy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ken</a> has been cranking out college basketball statistics at <a href="http://kenpom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kenpom.com</a> since 2004. He’s written at The Athletic, Slate, the late ESPN The Magazine, and the late Basketball Prospectus. He hopes to live long enough to see the men&#8217;s game start using quarters, like every other basketball league in the world.

Ken Pomeroy

Braden Smith of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates with his teammates after being named outstanding player of the tournament after winning the championship game of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Championships on March 15, 2026.

College Basketball

March Madness’s Phony Rules Were Made To Be Broken

Ray Ratto

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

A kebab is prepared in the Elbis-Döner restaurant at Berliner Straße 2 in Wilmersdorf. It looks good as hell.

Kebab Juice On The Windowpane, With Rohan Nadkarni

Celtics' Bill Russell (rear) pins Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain's right arm, and holds him, during wild 4th quarter in which both sides fought on April 1, 1962.

There’s Always A Way To Deny The Undeniable

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Wizards Deserve This Humiliation

Luis Paez-Pumar

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrates with teammates after a 150-129 win against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida

Bam Adebayo Breaks The Concept Of Basketball, Scores 83 Points

James Harden of the LA Clippers carries his brand name wine J-Harden Cabernet Sauvignon and shoe package as he arrives ahead of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors.

My Coworkers Browbeat Me Into Drinking James Harden’s Wine

Jayson Tatum Might Redefine Basketball’s Worst Injury, Or Might Not

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) screams out after dunking during the first half of a NBA game at the TD Garden.

No, Seriously, Pay Attention To The Charlotte Hornets

Nikola Jokic Is A Mountain Of Angst

Trae Young of the Washington Wizards looks on as a tribute was shown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 24, 2026.

Trae Young Got Ejected From A Wizards Game Before He Ever Played In One

Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley raises his fist as the Lakers take the lead and go on to win game 4 in the final seconds to defeat Boston, 107-106. Photo is from June of 1987 and Riley's suit is immaculate.

Pat Riley To NBA Coaches: Would It Kill You To Put On A Nice Suit For Once?

Steve Kerr Remembers Too Late That He Is Not A Doctor

Victor Wembanyama celebrates while headed to the bench.

Wait, Whoa, The Spurs Are Way Ahead Of Schedule

Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first half at Fiserv Forum on February 18, 2026.

St. John’s Delivered A Truly Unholy Second Half Of Basketball

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

Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, and Jalen Duren brawl

Pistons Pissed, Hornets Stung, Beef Stew Beefs, Too

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks bummed on the sideline.

Make Hay While The Sun Is Shining, By Losing In Earnest While Giannis Is Injured

Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga L competes during the 2025-2026 NBA regular season basketball game between Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors on January 20, 2026.

The Jonathan Kuminga Saga Swings Towards Tragicomedy

Jimmy Butler’s Injury Thrusts Steve Kerr And Jonathan Kuminga Once More Into The Hell Of Working Together

Jonathan Kuminga, at left, of the Golden State Warriors sit with fans before their game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

Jonathan Kuminga Is In Basketball Purgatory

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Curdling

Bill Kennedy explaining, to the NBC cameras, that a play was called correctly. He is making "the Bill Kennedy face."

basketball