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

Ben Simmons Is Back In Hell

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

Giri Nathan

Ben Simmons Has Stumped Another Coach

Ben Simmons dribbles in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies

Ben Simmons Is Clambering Bravely Out Of The Toilet

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?

Tom Ley

Ben Simmons Played Basketball

JaVale McGee arguing a call in the first game of Phoenix's playoff series against Dallas.

The Art Of Knowing Where To Stand, With Patrick Redford

Samer Kalaf

Ben Simmons Did That Little Practice Dunk For Nothing

Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 17: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench during the first quarter of Round 1 Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

BenWatch: Ah, Well, Nevertheless!

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets stands for the singing of the national anthem before Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

BenWatch: Incoming

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

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 10: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets walks on the court during halftime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 129-100.

For Ben Simmons’s Return, Philadelphia Was Ready But The Sixers Weren’t

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons–James Harden Blockbuster Should Make Everyone Happy

BenWatch: We’re In The Deal Zone

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

BenWatch: Very Generously Not Blaming Things On Joel Embiid

BenWatch: 76ers In No Hurry, They’ll Just Get James Harden Later

Simmons maybe sleeping with his eyes open at practice on Monday.

The Ben Simmons Situation Seems Further From Resolution Than Ever

These Gutsy 76ers Need And Deserve A Hero

BenWatch: Ben Back, But Bicycling

Laura Wagner

Daryl Morey: Not Annoyed

BenWatch: Leaving His Ball And Going Home

Ben Simmons stands sullenly at Sixers practice.

BenWatch: Unidentified Pocket Object

BenWatch: Ben Simmons Is Once Again Physically Located In Philadelphia

Ray Ratto

Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers calls out a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.