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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

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3

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Ray Ratto

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 SoFi Play-In Tournament – Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings

Klay Thompson Left It All In Oakland

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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.

2024 NBA Finals – Boston Celtics v Dallas Mavericks

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

Rachel is a writer, performer and improv instructor from Boston, Massachusetts. She has written for McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Reductress, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She thinks the sports horror novel she is working on could be her <a href="https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1325514-max-landis" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1325514-max-landis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1718077591839000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XT84xOkGfzjDGoFo6dhG7">Bright</a>.

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Rachel Andelman

Luka Doncic does kind of a weird follow-through as he watches a shot against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at American Airlines Center on March 13, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks

A Field Guide To Luka Doncic’s Many Busted Sports-Watching Setups

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Patrick Redford

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 12: Luka Dončić #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the 2024 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

2024 NBA Finals – Game Three

Luka Doncic Embarrassed Himself

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.

The Celtics Keep It Simple

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Chris Thompson

Kristaps Porzingis Rained Hellfire On The Hapless Mavericks

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Giri Nathan

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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

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 30: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals at Target Center on May 30, 2024 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Five

The Mavericks Have Met The Moment

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David Roth

Luka Doncic exults/leers in the direction of Minnesota center Rudy Gobert after hitting the game three-pointer over him in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Luka's really wet-looking.

Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Two

Deal With It

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 11: Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks – Game Three

Dereck Lively II Is The Man Of The Moment

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Justin Ellis

A photo of the scoreboard screen at the Target Center in Minneapolis displaying the words "Bring Ya Ass"

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Whomst Has Brought The Ass?

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

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Drew Magary

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 28: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves slam dunks the ball ahead of Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of game four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 28, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 122-116 and win the series 4-0. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns – Game Four

More Ant Dunks!

P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs.

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Thunder–Mavericks Deserved A Better Ending

DALLAS, TX - MAY 13: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander And The Thunder Passed Their First Real Test

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 9: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2024 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Dallas Mavericks v Oklahoma City Thunder

Kyrie Irving Is Right Where He Needs To Be

Gordon Hayward #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder arrives to the arena before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2024 NBA Playoffs – Oklahoma City Thunder v New Orleans Pelicans

Gordon Hayward Is The Low-Effort King Of The Playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 1: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers &amp; James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs- Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

It Is Happening Again To The Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts to officials for a LA Clippers foul during a 96-93 Mavericks win in game two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Luka Doncic Is Unshakeable

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is interviewed by the media after Round 1 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

2024 NBA Playoffs – Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

That’s Why You Make The James Harden Trade

Dallas Mavericks