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

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Anthony Edwards holds up seven fingers to indicate a Game 7.

That Was Violence!

Tom Ley

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

No Weapon Formed Against Nikola Jokic Shall Prosper

The Timberwolves Had A Very Bad 20 Seconds

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts to pass over Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

The Nuggets Have Been Exposed For All To See

Ray Ratto

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets makes the game winning shot during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game Five of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

With King James Deposed, The Revolution In The West Has Only Just Begun

Patrick Redford

There Are NBA Players With Interesting Podcasts, And Then There’s Michael Porter Jr.

Justin Ellis

Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James waving his hands on the court reacting to a ball going out of bounds and a ref's decision against the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round series in the NBA Playoffs.

LeBron James And The Lakers Cheat Death For At Least One More Game

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets scores game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 22, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Jamal Murray Has Never Missed A Jump Shot In His Entire Life

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during 2023-24 NBA Media Day on October 2, 2023 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

This Fucking Guy Is Going To Ruin My Life

Nikola Jokic #15 high fives Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8, 2024 NBAE at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Nikola Jokic And Aaron Gordon Are In Space

David Roth

o-founder of Subway, Fred DeLuca poses for a portrait in February 1991 in Toronto Canada.

Podcasts

Truth In Sandwich Advertising, With Rohan Nadkarni

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Nuggets Own The Lakers

Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in the second half during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jordan Poole Is Just Gonna Pass The Ball Right To—Oh No Fuck Me!

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the game winner three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 4, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. J

Nikola Jokic Is In One Of His Can’t-Miss Moods

DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on November 27, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Clippers Got Embarrassed By Some Old Friends

Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 14, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

The Clippers Need Some New Ideas

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets stands under the Jumbotron, which says "Howl-o-meter" during a stop in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 1, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nikola Jokic’s Shoddy Work Ethic And Horse-Gazing Tendencies Have Clearly Cost Him A Shot At Greatness

Defector Up All Night

Aaron Gordon And Nikola Jokic Are Having A Good Fellas’ Trip

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates as he leaves the court after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 94-89 NBA Finals clinching win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Nikola Jokic Just Wants To Go Home

Giri Nathan

The Nuggets Couldn’t Have Done It Without Bruce Brown

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 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 Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Jamal Murray Became A Champion And His Best Self All At Once

APR 28 1968; READY FOR ROCKET-TICKET CAMPAIGN; Jack Grunwald, right, will serve as general chairman of the Denver Rockets' season-ticket drive that will be launched with an organizational dinner meeting for 60 area businessmen Monday evening at the Denver Athletic Club. Grunwald headed last year's drive that set an ABA high of nearly 700 season tickets. Mapping plans are, from left. Rockets owner J. W. Ringsby, cochairmen Max Moore and Frank Byrne.; (Photo By The Denver Post via Getty Images)

It’s An Upset That The Nuggets Exist

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.

The Heat’s Fire Turned Back To Embers

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.