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Defector

Patrick Redford

Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi takes a nap next to his yellow jersey as the Tour de France cyclists had a day off 05 July 1952 in the mountain resort of L'Alpe d'Huez. Coppi had become the overall leader, the day before, after winning the stage from Lausanne (Switzerland) to L'Alpe d'Huez. Coppi never relinquished the lead and went on to capture his second Tour de France after winning in 1949. (Photo by STAFF / AFP) (Photo by STAFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Cycling

How Cycling Solved Sleep

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

Giri Nathan

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Interviews

Longtime NBA Photographer Nathaniel S. Butler Explains How He Sees Basketball

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Amen Thompson #1 celebrates with Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 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)

Rockets Put Selves In Fine Position For Gentleman’s Sweep

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

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LeBron James Still Has It

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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 Rich Storry/Getty Images)

I’m So Sorry To Tell You This But The Lakers Must Be Taken Seriously

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

LeBron’s Agent Openly Suggests A Trade For The Lakers On His Podcast

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards against Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 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 Mike Christy/Getty Images)

LeBron James And The Lakers Benefit From The Duality Of Dillon Brooks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 2025 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LeBron James’s Scoring Streak Tells The Story

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 2025 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dillon Brooks Wants The Last Word

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket after being fouled by Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson (2) in the first half

LeBron James Embraces His Version Of An Old-Man Game

Tom Ley

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 30, 2025 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.

Curious, I’m No Longer Hearing Much Chatter From The Many Haters Who Claimed That LeBron James’s Podcast Would Never Become “#8 On Trending” And “#9 On Trending”

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

JJ Redick Pushed The Panic Button And Lost Anyway

The Bulls celebrate an incredible last-second win.

How About These Absurd Chicago Bulls?

ESPN: LeBron James, On ESPN, To ESPN: “ESPN.”

The Lakers Are Puking And Shitting At An Inopportune Moment

Samer Kalaf

Celtics Bring Lakers Back Down To Earth

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 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.

LeBron Damn James

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2025 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LeBron And Luka Will Have To Make A Weird, Compromised Roster Work

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center on December 02, 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)

The Lakers Cannot Stop Embarrassing Themselves

Bronny James talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers Gave An Assist To Bronny By Beating The Shit Out Of The Lakers

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

These Lakers Already Feel Different

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Lebron James #6 and Stephen Curry #4 of Team United States celebrate after their team's win against Team Serbia during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)