CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

P.J. Tucker warns the moron bodyguard who rushed him on the court during Game 3.

Kevin Durant’s Idiot Bodyguard Rushed The Court To Protect Him From P.J. Tucker

Patrick Redford

Mike Pence's new house as rendered by Google Maps' 3D imaging.

Politics

Look At The Weird-Ass Basketball Court In Mike Pence’s Ugly New McMansion

Chris Paul runs past Facundo Campazzo in a playoff game.

God Help Me, I’ve Been Charmed By Chris Paul

Kristaps Porzingis shoots warmup jumpers prior to the start of Game 7 against the Clippers.

Kristaps Porzingis Came Up Short

Andre Drummond May Not Have Been The Solution After All

The Knicks Look Like Crud

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bucks Didn’t Conquer The Giannis Wall, And Didn’t Have To

David Roth

Russell Westbrook contemplates the void, and The Distraction logo.

Podcasts

A Hater’s Guide To Every Postseason, With Lauren Theisen And Albert Burneko

Let’s Appreciate Some Randos Who Smushed The Hornets Flat As A Pancake

The Celtics and Pacers play basketball, poorly.

What Is This NBA Play-In Tournament? What Is It? Will Someone Please Tell Me What It Is?

Udonis Haslem gets into it with Dwight Howard of the 76ers.

Udonis Haslem Surfaced Just Long Enough To Give Dwight Howard The Business And Not A Minute Longer

Shams Charania gestures during an interview.

Confirmed: NBA Games To Take Place Somewhere Along The Spacetime Continuum

Senators Week

LeBron James, Like Former Massachusetts Senator George Frisbie Hoar, Opposed To New Rule

Russell Westbrook, Ish Smith, and Bradley Beal celebrate during the Wizards' win over the Lakers.

The Unstoppable, Charming, Incredibly Telegenic Wizards Are Truly Basketball’s Feel-Good Story, No Matter What The Haters And Losers Say

This Is So Stupid

Wow: I Can’t Wait To Watch A Broadcast Crossover Event Between The NBA And This Beloved Action Film Franchise

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 29: Luke Walton head coach of the Sacramento Kings complain on a call against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&amp;T Center on March 29, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. 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. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Here’s To Another Lost Season In Sacramento

Wizards rookie Deni Avdija lies injured on the court.

Deni Avdija’s Brutally Frustrating Season Comes To A Brutal End

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 27, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida

“Dade County, How Do You Like Bam, Man!”

Kevin Durant warms up before Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves in a meaningful t-shirt.

Activism, Branding, And Writing While Black, With Tyler R. Tynes

A doodle of Zion Williamson kicking my head off from the hood of a speeding Jeep.

Science

Could A Jeep-Mounted Zion Williamson Roundhouse-Kick My Head Off? An Investigation

Ray Ratto

This Is The Weird And Bad Part Of The NBA Slog

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Two seats in an arena at an NBA game. They are black. There are steps next to them. Both seats have a cover on them that says 'PLEASE SIT HERE'

I Went To An NBA Game Last Night

Let's Remember Some Guys

Let’s Remember Some Guys Who May Or May Not Have Told Kelvin Sampson, Respectfully, To Cram It

Aaron Gordon is sad, with headlines from different publications expressing surprise at his dunk contest loss.

Aaron Gordon’s 19-Minute “Documentary” About Losing The Dunk Contest Is Just The Lamest Shit Ever

A mysterious, unknown NBA general manager, sitting in front of a Celtics backdrop and speaking into a Celtics-branded microphone.

basketball