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Defector

Dave McKenna

BOSTON - 1969: Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait in 1969 at the Boston 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 1969 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

Politics

FBI Releases Bill Russell Investigation Files, Slanders The Dead

Tom Ley

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 20, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2023 NBAE

The Sixers And Joel Embiid Are Back Where They Always End Up

Giri Nathan

Joel Embiid Made His Case Again

Immanuel Quickley Kept The Knicks On Their Feet

Patrick Redford

Boston, MA - January 28: Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James falls to his knees in frustration after the final play of regulation. The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics, 125-121, in overtime. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

There’s No Sense In The Lakers Crying Over The Unavoidable

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 24: Marcus Smart #36, Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on October 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Celtics Are Untouchable

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Media Meltdowns

The Ime Udoka Suspension Tied Stephen A. Smith’s Brain In Knots

Ime Udoka’s Suspension Doesn’t Clear Much Up

Ime Udoka’s In Trouble

Ray Ratto

Bill Russell at the Celtics arena in 2016

Bill Russell Was The Most Important

Oh Baby, We’ve Got A Proposed Kevin Durant Trade To Obsess Over

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

The Real Champion Is You, Who Gets To Look At These Sad Boston Fans

David Roth

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera staring very intensely at new quarterback Carson Wentz, but The Distraction logo has been superimposed over Wentz's face.

Podcasts

Endurance Basketball, Dystopian Golf, And The Plight Of The Sacrificial Mensch

Albert Burneko

Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors) wrestle Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) for the ball

What’s Up With Jayson Tatum?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

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

Dan McQuade

Workers look at the rim with a big ladder

The Rim Wasn’t The Correct Height!

of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP)

Robert Williams Was Everywhere

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

That Was A Hell Of A Defensive Performance

Stephen Curry shoots against Al Horford and Robert Williams in Game 2 of the NBA Finals

The Warriors Warriored All Over The Celtics

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: (L to R) Kevon Looney #5, Klay Thompson #11, Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

What The Hell Happened To The Warriors There?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Celtics Sprung A Trap On The Warriors

A bunch of old-timey basketball players from an Olympics in the black-and-white era

A Sophisticated And Punctual Preview Of The 2022 NBA Finals, For Basketball Idiots

These NBA Finals Don’t Need To Be About Anything More Than Who Gets A Parade

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with his teammates and the Eastern Conference Bob Cousy champions trophy after defeating the Miami Heat in Game Seven to win the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 29, 2022 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)

The Celtics Fought Like Hell For This

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on ahead of Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

Boston Celtics