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Defector

Ray Ratto

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

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


Chris Thompson

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

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


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.

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

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>


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