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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

Profile Pic

Chris Thompson

Giannis Antetokounmpo smiles after pranking Jaylen Brown.

Giannis Fake Handshake

NBA Friendship Wobbled By Ill-Timed Fake Handshake

It Has Come To This: A Derrick White Appreciation Blog

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Giri Nathan

Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick at a Summer League game

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Wings Week

Celtics Wing Kisses Ring After Dissing King’s Offspring

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Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Finals – Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics

Al Horford Earned It

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Ray Ratto

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics exults near the Larry O'Brien Trophy after his team's win in the decisive Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals.

2024 NBA Finals – Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks

The Boston Celtics Are Champions, Among Other Things

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Tom Ley

Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics of the Boston Celtics celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics Were Built To Shine

The NBA Finals Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and the NHL Stanley Cup are pictured in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 02, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

F1 Grand Prix of Miami – Previews

The Playoffs Go Tinfoil

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

2024 NBA Finals – Game Three

The Celtics Keep It Simple

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics attempts to dunk the ball against P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

2024 NBA Finals – Game Two

The Celtics Are Winning Everywhere

Kristaps Porzingis Rained Hellfire On The Hapless Mavericks

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Albert Burneko

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Luis Paez-Pumar

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks on November 23, 2022 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics

Behold The Defector NBA Finals Mega-Preview

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


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Charles P. Pierce

Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton, who received many accolades for his performance on the court, is depicted here. Walton would later go on to pursue a career off the court as a sports broadcaster and an actor in feature films.

Portrait of Bill Walton

Bill Walton Let His Joy Flourish

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Boston Celtics v Indiana Pacers

The Celtics Were Finally Forced To Do Cool Stuff

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Anoint Yourself, Dammit!

Tyrese Haliburton is hounded on the sideline by Jayson Tatum.

The Silly Pacers Handed It To The Celtics, Over And Over Again

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Samer Kalaf

Al Horford reacts during the Boston Celtics' Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers

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The Celtics Are Waiting For A Real Challenge

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers three point basket during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024.

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One Unsustainable Trick To Beating The Boston Celtics

Nikola Jovic #5 and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat walk to the bench during the third quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics – Game Five

Thank God That’s Over

Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat celebrates a three-point basket as he runs past Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of game two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at TD Garden on April 24, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Miami Heat v Boston Celtics

The Heat Beat Boston At Its Own Game

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits injured on the court during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics on April 09, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Boston Celtics v Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Calf Joins Doc Rivers’s Reputation In The Infirmary

Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting the game-winning basket during overtime against the Boston Celtics at State Farm Arena on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta,

Boston Celtics v Atlanta Hawks

The Game Doesn’t Change Until Dejounte Murray Says So

Joe Mazzulla

Joe Mazzulla Must Disobey The NBA And Continue To Block Meaningless Shot Attempts

Nikola Jokic #15 high fives Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8, 2024 NBAE at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

Nikola Jokic And Aaron Gordon Are In Space

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David Roth

o-founder of Subway, Fred DeLuca poses for a portrait in February 1991 in Toronto Canada.

Co-founder of Subway, Fred DeLuca

Podcasts

Truth In Sandwich Advertising, With Rohan Nadkarni

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.

Golden State Warriors (88) Vs. Boston Celtics (140) At TD Garden

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

Boston Celtics