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

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

Dan McQuade

A corner shot of a packed Palestra shot with a wide angle lens

High School Sports

Go Out And Watch Some Basketball

Maitreyi Anantharaman

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 18: Mac McClung #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the AT&amp;T Slam Dunk Contest as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mac McClung Was A Star All Along

Albert Burneko

Ben Simmons takes a short shot during the Brooklyn Nets' loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Nets Coach: The Challenge With Ben Simmons Is He Is A Crappy Player

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Those Who Fear The Deal Zone Risk The Consequences

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving shake hands.

For The Lakers, Kyrie Irving Would Be A Risk Worth Taking

Giri Nathan

Ben Simmons Has Stumped Another Coach

In Tidy Role Reversal, The Lakers Profit From The Wizards’ Dysfunction

Patrick Redford

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 9: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game on December 9, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Why Are So Many NBA Players Putting Up 40 This Year?

This Is So Stupid

Donovan Mitchell’s 71-Point Game Must Be Stricken From The Record Books If We Are To Preserve The Soul Of This Great Game

When It’s Just Basketball, It’s Just Basketball

Jimmy Butler Goes With The Flow

Ivica Zubac high-fives head coach Tyronn Lue.

Ivica Zubac Went Ogre Mode For The Indomitable Clippers

It Is Time Once Again For Math To Tell Us Which Underperforming NBA Teams Are Truly Crud

Jerami Grant Has Things Covered

Russell Westbrook watches from the sidelines.

How Long Will The Lakers Delay The Inevitable?

David Roth

Zion Williamson casts a skeptical look at officials in a New Orleans Pelicans game in October of 2022.

Podcasts

The Dreaded Vladimir Radmanovic Comparison, With Patrick Redford

Kyrie Irving gives Ben Simmons a thumbs-up

How’s This Gonna Work?

Russell Westbrook watches from the bench.

Russell Westbrook Has “Great Game,” Makes Zero Shots In Lakers Loss

Seven old-timey hoopers in white outfits and high socks