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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

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Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics collides with Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics – Game Seven

That’s Gotta Hurt

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

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The Sixers Had Another Nightmare Finish Against Boston

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semi-finals on May 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Jayson Tatum Hit The Shots When It Mattered

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Joel Embiid Is Showing Up His Biggest Critic: Joel Embiid

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in overtime of game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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James Harden Knows

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers falls to the court after colliding with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The Celtics Own The Sixers

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during Round Two Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 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 2023 NBAE

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James Harden Outshot The Celtics, Somehow

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

Trae Young prepares to inbound the ball, defended by Marcus Smart.

Finally, Some Crotch Abuse We Can All Feel Good About

Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

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Diana Moskovitz

The Houston Rockets introduce Ice Udoka as the next head coach during a press conference on April 26, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. All three men are sitting at a table. Udoka is in the center, with the team owner on the left and the team GM on the right.

Houston Rockets Introduce Ime Udoka Press Conference

Ime Udoka Is Not Here To Talk About The Past

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks scores the game winning shot during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Trae Young Shoots, Shoots, Shoots To Keep The Hawks Alive

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)

Portrait Of Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell

Politics

FBI Releases Bill Russell Investigation Files, Slanders The Dead

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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

2023 NBA Playoffs – Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets

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

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Giri Nathan

Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid Made His Case Again

New York Knicks v Boston Celtics

Immanuel Quickley Kept The Knicks On Their Feet

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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)

Los Angeles Lakers (121) Vs. Boston Celtics (125) At TD Garden (OT)

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)

Boston Celtics v Chicago Bulls

The Celtics Are Untouchable

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

stephen a point

Media Meltdowns

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

2022 NBA Finals – Game Four

Ime Udoka’s Suspension Doesn’t Clear Much Up

2022 NBA Finals-Golden State Warriors v Boston Celtics

Ime Udoka’s In Trouble

Bill Russell at the Celtics arena in 2016

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Bill Russell Was The Most Important

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Four

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

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

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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.

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Podcasts

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

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Albert Burneko

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

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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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Five

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

Boston Celtics