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

Patrick Redford

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 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)

The Celtics Sprung A Trap On The Warriors

Albert Burneko

A bunch of old-timey basketball players from an Olympics in the black-and-white era

A Sophisticated And Punctual Preview Of The 2022 NBA Finals, For Basketball Idiots

Ray Ratto

These NBA Finals Don’t Need To Be About Anything More Than Who Gets A Parade

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Golden State Warriors hold the Western Conference Champion trophy after the 120-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Warriors’ Path Back To The Finals Was Never Guaranteed

Giri Nathan

Andrew Wiggins Is Still Andrew Wiggins, Kind Of

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after being fouled by Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at American Airlines Center on January 05, 2022 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

How The West Wasn’t One-On-One

Did I Say Grizzlies-Warriors Would Be A Great Rivalry? I Lied

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 03, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Grizzlies-Warriors Has All The Ingredients For The Next Great NBA Rivalry

David Roth

JaVale McGee arguing a call in the first game of Phoenix's playoff series against Dallas.

Podcasts

The Art Of Knowing Where To Stand, With Patrick Redford

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


Chris Thompson

Gary Payton II’s Elbow Injury Is A Huge Bummer

Tom Ley

Ja Morant Goes Where He Wants

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against De'Anthony Melton #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 01, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Jordan Poole Can Do Everything For The Warriors

Draymond Green Knows Exactly Who He Is

How Nice It Must Be To Have Your Cranium In Nikola Jokic’s Hand

Lauren Theisen

The Warriors Are Back, And They’re Incredible

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Chase Center on March 30, 2022 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)

What Are The Warriors?

The Miami Heat Are Now Fighting Themselves

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors competes for a loose ball against Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at Chase Center on March 16, 2022 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Warriors Were Healthy Just Long Enough To Get Their Hopes Up

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Stephen Curry #30 after scoring and drawing a foul against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half during an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 08, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

I Suppose What The Warriors Needed All Along Was Will Ferrell

If LeBron James Can Score 56 Points Every Game, The Lakers Might Be Alright

Just Steph Curry, Calmly Being Impossible

Laura Wagner

Helpful Kevin Porter Jr. Nudges Steph Curry Out Of His Slump

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors runs around his teammates during player introductions before their game against the Detroit Pistons at Chase Center on January 18, 2022 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)

Steph Curry Is Looking Depressingly Human

Chamath speaks onstage during the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 19, 2016 in San Francisco, California.

Capital

Chamath Palihapitiya’s Whole Game Is Being A Loudmouth

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors standing with his eyes closed during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of his game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center on January 09, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)