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Defector

Ray Ratto

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.

College Basketball

Who Actually Wants A Bigger NCAA Tournament?

Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls calls a timeout during the second half against the Houston Rockets at the United Center on March 23, 2026.

Billy Donovan Hops Onto The NBA’s Slow-Moving Coaching Carousel

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


Chris Thompson

Doc Rivers Ends Bucks Tenure That Was A Huge Waste Of Everyone’s Time

Julian Reese of the Washington Wizards and Lachlan Olbrich #47 of the Chicago Bulls fight for the ball during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC.

And Now It Is Time To Forget The NBA’s Regular Season

Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the sideline, in street clothes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo And The Bucks Are Feuding Right To The End

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City. This is the play in which he hurt his hamstring.

A Vengeful Deity Is Smiting The Lakers

Victor Wembanyama holds up a finger, possibly in celebration.

Victor Wembanyama Fattened Up At The Shrimp Buffet

Houston Rockets Kenny Smith (C) gets squeezed out on a screen play by Seattle Supersonic Detlef Schrempf (R) as his teammate Gary Payton (L) dribbles past during game one of their Western Conference semifinal series on May 4 in Seattle.

A Basketball Team Can Be Sold, But Who Owns Its History?

Braylon Mullins of the UConn Huskies celebrates after hitting the game-winner against Duke.

Two Dazed Freshmen Authored The Tournament’s Immortal Moment

<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

A tightly cropped image of a player releasing a jump shot

Elder Wisdom

I Miss My Jump Shot

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


<p><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 <em>ESPN The Magazine</em>, 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.</p>


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.

March Madness’s Phony Rules Were Made To Be Broken

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

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.