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

Ray Ratto

LeBron James speaks with Stephen Curry following a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors

It’s Time To Daydream About LeBron On The Warriors

Stephen Curry (30) speaks with coach Steve Kerr during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in Oakland, California, on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Steve Kerr Hasn’t Had Enough Just Yet

Ben Dowsett is a freelance technology and sports nerd based in Utah. His other recent work can be found at Wired, ESPN and elsewhere.

Ben Dowsett

The Block, As Remembered By The Guy Who Called It And The Guy Who Let It Be

Patrick Redford

The Warriors’ Old Guys Showed Up When It Mattered Most

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Steve Kerr Remembers Too Late That He Is Not A Doctor

Tom Ley

Women's Basketball

“Disgusted” Breanna Stewart Holds Up “Abolish ICE” Sign Before Unrivaled Game

Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga L competes during the 2025-2026 NBA regular season basketball game between Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors on January 20, 2026.

The Jonathan Kuminga Saga Swings Towards Tragicomedy

Jimmy Butler’s Injury Thrusts Steve Kerr And Jonathan Kuminga Once More Into The Hell Of Working Together

Jonathan Kuminga, at left, of the Golden State Warriors sit with fans before their game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

Jonathan Kuminga Is In Basketball Purgatory

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is fouled while going up for a shot against Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on January 11, 2026 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This Is So Stupid

Sacramento Watch: Several Teams Tainted By Proximity To Kings

Draymond Green (23) argues an out of bounds call with referee Marc Davis (8) in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Orlando Magic on December 22, 2025.

Draymond Green Is Still Innovating In The Meltdown Space

Giri Nathan

Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass the ball against Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans

The Warriors Without Steph Curry Are Bad, But The Pelicans Are Still Worse

Cason Wallace #22, Isaiah Hartenstein #55, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, Chet Holmgren #7, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 23, 2025.

Are The Thunder Too Good?

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors gets into a verbal altercation with a fan during the second quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 16, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

A Brand-New Draymond Green Incident Cycle Has Arrived Right On Schedule

Tech leaders, including Sam Altman (C), CEO of OpenAI, and Tim Cook (2nd L), CEO of Apple, attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Capital

An Evening With Sam Altman And Steve Kerr

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

For A Limited Time

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 12, 2025 in San Francisco, 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.

Physicality Is Where Basketball Lives And Careers Die

Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Houston Rockets after making a three-point basket during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

Sometimes It’s The Buddy Hield Game

Buddy Hield #7 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

Buddy Hield To The Rescue

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 23, 2025 in Houston, 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 Warner/Getty Images)

Jalen Green Stops Killing The Rockets Long Enough To Kill The Warriors Instead

Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets dives for the ball against Gary Payton II #0 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2025.

The Warriors And Rockets Know Each Other’s Weaknesses

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of the NBA play-in tournament game at Chase Center on April 15, 2025.

The Warriors Really Had To Work For It

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on March 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

The NBA Playoffs Will Be A Clash Of Generations And Styles

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

looks on during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, 2025. His mouthpiece is hanging out of his mouth and he looks faintly sinister in how delighted he seems.