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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Lauren Theisen

Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu high five during a game

WNBA

It’s A Long, Long Road To Las Vegas For The Liberty

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Anthony Edwards holds up seven fingers to indicate a Game 7.

That Was Violence!

Joel Embiid Is Persevering, For Good And Ill

Ray Ratto

Jontay Porter Is The NBA’s Collateral Damage

Klay Thompson reacts after missing a shot

Kings, Inevitable Passing Of Time End The Warriors

Doug McDermott of the Indiana Pacers dunks during a game against the Atlanta Hawks

Pacers Escape The Play-In, Reaffirm That The Hawks Are A 10th-Place Team

Katie Britt is not actually Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama.

Katie Britt

Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, delivering her floridly bizarre response to the State of the Union speech on Fox News on Thursday, Mar. 7 2024

This Is So Stupid

The Nets, Of The Great State Of Brooklyn, Have Lost, I Fear, For The Children! Of America. To The Detroit Pistons—Of. This. Great. Na. Tion. Tonight. Last Night.

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (second from left) and the bench react to a slam dunk by Boston Celtics guard Svi Mykhailiuk (not pictured) in the fourth quarter. The Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors, 140-88.

The Celtics Served The Warriors A Beating, And The NBA A Message

Think Your Rinky-Dink Three-Horse Flyover Burg Can Host An NBA All-Star Weekend? Think Again

Patrick Redford

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 29: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks for a rebound during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 29, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

An Ode To The Modern Rebounder

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla points in two directions while looking in a third.

Do You Have What It Takes To Put Two On The Ball?

The Detroit Pistons huddle before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 16, 2023.

The Pee Stains Alone

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Ja Morant demonstrates check ball situation for his attorney.

“Is A Basketball A Lethal Weapon?” And “Is Pulling Up Your Shorts A Fighting Stance?” Among Stupid Questions At Issue In Ja Morant Hearing

Rafi Kohan is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. His first book, The Arena, 
was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sports Writing. 
Previously, he has served as deputy editor at the New York Observer and as 
executive editorial director for the Atlantic’s creative studio, Re:think. His 
writing has appeared in numerous publications, including GQ, Men’s 
Journal, Rolling Stone, The Ringer, and the Wall Street Journal.

Rafi Kohan

Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics sneering disdainfully at Jerry Stackhouse, who is trying to guard him in 2002. The cover of Rafi Kohan's book "Trash Talk" is at upper left.

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

Gary Payton And The Art And Strategy Of “Talking Crazy”

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’

Now Is The Season Of Noticing The Indiana Pacers

Draymond Green talks to a teammate during a timeout.

Draymond Green Remains In Pursuit Of Method For Attacking Opponents That Won’t Get Him Suspended

The Wizards Are Exploring New Horizons Of Permanent Suckitude

Cameron Payne walks onto the court during his final appearance for the Phoenix Suns, during the 2023 playoffs.

Phoenix’s Title Push Has Maximums, Minimums, And Nothing In Between

David Roth

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics holds the ball while Jimmy Butler makes a Jimmy Butler Face in an Eastern Conference Finals game..

Podcasts

Sacred Oafs, Holy Madmen, Culture Wars, Things Of That Nature

Malik Monk prepares to push the button that illuminates the beam after Sacramento's win against Golden State in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs series.

The Beam Shines For All, With Patrick Redford

Donovan Mitchell watches the Cavaliers lose.

The Cavaliers Paid The Price For Arriving Ahead Of Schedule

Laura Wagner

Elder Wisdom

What Can A Hoop Do?

The Dallas Mavericks Now Emit The Stench Of Death

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 28: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum on February 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee.