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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.

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Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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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.

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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.

Gary Payton posts up Stackhouse

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

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

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Giri Nathan

Pat McAfee conducts an interview with Adam Silver

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Media Meltdowns

Adam Silver Can’t Resist Praising Henry Kissinger On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’

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Chris Thompson

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

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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..

Boston Celtics v Miami Heat – Game Four

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

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Laura Wagner

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Elder Wisdom

What Can A Hoop Do?

The Dallas Mavericks Now Emit The Stench Of Death

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Patrick Redford

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.

Los Angeles Lakers v Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant Needs This Time Away

Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.

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Dan McQuade

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

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High School Sports

Go Out And Watch Some Basketball

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

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.

2023 NBA All-Star – AT&T Slam Dunk Contest

Mac McClung Was A Star All Along

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Albert Burneko

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

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

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

Brooklyn Nets v Phoenix Suns

Ben Simmons Has Stumped Another Coach

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

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)

Milwaukee Bucks v Dallas Mavericks

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

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

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