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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

2023 NBA Finals – Miami Heat v Denver Nuggets

The Heat’s Fire Turned Back To Embers

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Tom Ley

DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: A overall view of the Denver Nuggets team during the post-game celebration during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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

A Championship Deciphers The Past

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets grabs the rebound during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 7, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

2023 NBA Finals – Denver Nuggets v Miami Heat

The Nuggets Were Just Too Damn Big

Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat flexes after a strong finish as Nikola Jokic (15) and Denver Nuggets teammates head to the bench for a timeout in the fourth quarter of Miami's 111-108 win during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, June 4, 2023

DENVER NUGGETS VS MIAMI HEAT, NBA PLAYOFFS

A Little Duncan Robinson Can Go A Long Way

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Patrick Redford

DENVER, CO - JUNE 4: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets on June 4, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Miami Punches Back

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a 104-93 victory against the Miami Heat in Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 01, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

2023 NBA Finals – Game One

The Two Plays That Defined Nikola Jokic’s Brilliant Finals Debut

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Chris Thompson

Nikola Jokic defends against Bam Adebayo.

The Heat Forgot Which Direction The Rim Is In

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Albert Burneko

An old black-and-white photo of a game between the Celtics and Royals

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A Timely And Data-Loaded 2023 NBA Finals Preview, For Basketball Idiots

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David Roth

Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin stand together as the team is introduced before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

2023 NBA Playoffs – 	Boston Celtics v Miami Heat

Podcasts

Eat Culture, With Rohan Nadkarni

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Giri Nathan

LeBron James talks to press after the Lakers' Western Conference Finals loss to the Nuggets

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LeBron Compliments Nikola Jokic’s Big Basketball Brain And Contemplates Retirement

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Israel Daramola

2023 NBA Playoffs – Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

Nikola Jokic Is The Best And Everyone Will Just Have To Accept It

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-108 during game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets – Game Two

LeBron Cost The Lakers

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Ray Ratto

DENVER, CO - MAY 16 : Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

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The Lakers Better Hope Their Jokic-Stopper Is For Real

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 11: Devin Booker #1 stands with head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 11, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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)

Denver Nuggets v Phoenix Suns – Game Six

The Suns Did It Again

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The Nuggets Need Jamal Murray Pulling Face

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 7: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets slightly stares at Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia before would Ishbia theatrically fall back into his seat after Suns player Josh Okogie (2) flew into the stands during the second quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

DENVER NUGGETS VS PHOENIX SUNS, NBA PLAYOFFS

Let’s All Agree That Nikola Jokic Shoving Mat Ishbia Was Good Fun

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during Game Two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns on May 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Media Meltdowns

Denver Post Columnist: Nikola Jokic’s Underwear Shows Why He Deserves MVP

DENVER, CO - MAY 1: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Round 2 Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Is A Big Strong Guy

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The Nuggets Packed All The Reasons To Doubt Them Into One Awful Quarter

DENVER, CO - APRIL 16: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets smiles during Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

2023 NBA Playoffs – Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray’s Back!

Nikola Jokic has a gross red scar on his arm.

Nikola Jokic’s Gnarly Oozing Arm Wounds Are Getting Out Of Hand

Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Got Up

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets smiles during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 10, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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 Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets

It’s Denver Nuggets Time

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks reacts on the court during the second half of Game One of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on May 02, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 121-114.

Dallas Mavericks v Phoenix Suns – Game One

Luka Doncic Is Going It Alone

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