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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.

Defector

Albert Burneko

Kyrie Irving gives Ben Simmons a thumbs-up

How’s This Gonna Work?

Tom Ley

Ben Simmons Played Basketball

Ray Ratto

The Nets In Their Present Form Have Already Worn Us Out

DurantWatch: Well That Was A Huge Waste Of Time

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Kevin Durant and Steve Nash stand on the sideline of a Nets game.

DurantWatch: Sean Marks Is On The Clock

DurantWatch: Get Rid Of His Hand-Picked Head Coach, Or Else

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

David Roth

Podcasts

In Search Of The Impossible Trade, With Kazeem Famuyide

What The Hell Kind Of Kevin Durant Trade Can Even Work?

Holy Shit, Kevin Durant Wants The Hell Out Of Brooklyn

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Kyrie Irving attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)

So I Guess We’re Doing This Again

Fine, Let’s Talk About Kevin Durant All Summer

The Celtics Made Sure Kevin Durant Had The Playoffs From Hell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

The Nets’ Making Was Their Undoing

Samer Kalaf

Ben Simmons Did That Little Practice Dunk For Nothing

Media Meltdowns

In The Game Of Basketball, One Must Be Careful To Avoid Sitting On A Whoopee Cushion While Laying An Egg

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!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets look on in the final seconds of their 109-103 loss against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 23, 2022 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images).

The Brooklyn Nets Never Really Became A Basketball Team

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

The NBA Got The Play-In Tournament It Deserves

Kyrie Irving Won

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

Dan McQuade

Spencer Dinwiddie and the Mavs celebrate after a game-winner

Spencer Dinwiddie Doesn’t Look Like Dead Weight Anymore

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts after scoring against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Amway Center on March 15, 2022 in Orlando, 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 Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Every Great Kyrie Irving Performance Highlights How Much He’s Costing The Nets

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

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 12: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets walks backcourt during a game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on January 12, 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)