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

Giri Nathan

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets attends a 2025 NBA Summer League game

Interviews

Let’s Unpack LaMelo Ball’s Sugary Abode

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Coby White, Moussa Diabaté, and Kon Knueppel

The Hornets Aspire To Be An Also-Ran With A Plan

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a three-point basket during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets

LaMelo Ball Is Headed To Minnesota, Hopefully Not In His Car

Israel Daramola

LaMelo Ball Gets Let Off The Hook

Ray Ratto

Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) screams out after dunking during the first half of a NBA game at the TD Garden.

No, Seriously, Pay Attention To The Charlotte Hornets

Patrick Redford

Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls NBA Basketball

Maybe LaMelo Ball Shouldn’t Have A Driver’s License

Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, and Jalen Duren brawl

Pistons Pissed, Hornets Stung, Beef Stew Beefs, Too

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: Raymond Felton #20 and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats react during a game with the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2009 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 Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Into The Research Triangle Of Sadness, With Jacob Rosenberg

Can Anything Make The Hornets Make Sense?

Terry Rozier dribbles a ball as a Charlotte Hornet.

Terry Rozier Is The Latest Player Implicated In Illegal Sports Betting Scheme

Bradley Beal And The Suns Are Stuck Heavin’ In Hell

LiAngelo Ball #18 of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the court in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Spectrum Center on October 05, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Middle Ball Brother Finds Basketball-Free Success

Dalen Terry of the Chicago Bulls goes to floor following a play during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Next Time The Bulls And Hornets Play Each Other, The Venue Must Be Hell Itself

Some kids who are fans of the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets Cruelly Bait-And-Switch Child By Promising PS5 But Giving Him PS5 And Hornets Tickets

LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates against the Houston Rocketsduring the second half at Toyota Center on October 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

The Hornets Are Under Construction, But LaMelo Ball Is Still Really Fun To Watch

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game on February 10, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)

Don’t Look Now, But The Pistons Have Competition In The Crapper

Tom Ley

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 22, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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

Karl-Anthony Towns’s Big Night Turned Into A Big Bummer

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 27, 2022 in New York City.

The Cycle Continues Around Miles Bridges

Michael Jordan on the sideline of a Charlotte Hornets game in March of 2023.

Let’s Look Back On The Charlotte Hornets Under Michael Jordan

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 1: Michael Jordan attends the game between the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets on March 1, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

Michael Jordan Is Getting Out Because The Getting’s Always Good

Share With Us Your Cursed Sports Video

Let’s Take Stock Of The Horrors Of The Brick For Vic Campaign

Miles Bridges Arrested For Domestic Violence, Mother Of Children Mychelle Johnson Posts Photos Of Injuries

Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson reacts to a play in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 10, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Seven Totally Baseless Guesses Why Warriors Assistant Kenny Atkinson Snubbed The Hornets

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 13: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets is restrained after a foul is called and he is ejected during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miles Bridges