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

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is interviewed by the media after Round 1 Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

That’s Why You Make The James Harden Trade

Tom Ley

Boban Marjanovic #51 of the Houston Rockets smiles before the game against the LA Clippers on April 14, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Boban Delivered The Chicken

Ray Ratto

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer yells while the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots free-throws during a NBA basketball game on January 16, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by John McCoy/Icon Sportswire)

Steve Ballmer Hopes New Uniforms And Logos Can Change The Fundamental Clipperness Of The Whole Situation

Several YouTube screenshots of a screeching JJ Redick

Media Meltdowns

NBA Dead Period Filled By JJ Redick Reacting To Himself Blasting Doc Rivers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after a three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on January 16, 2024 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Paul George Makes The Clippers Terrifying

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

James Harden dribbles up the court while smiling.

This Might Be Working After All

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

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers and James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 12, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

James Harden Is In The Mud

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers encourages the crowd to get loud against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.

Sixers Shake Up NBA By Reacquiring Robert Covington

Albert Burneko

James Harden, in a dayglo green hoodie, watches a game from the bench.

James Harden Traded To Los Angeles Clippers After All

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: Houston Dynamo owner James Harden waves to the fans after the 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final against the Inter Miami at DRV PNK Stadium on September 27, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

James Harden Begins Going “Ben Simmons Mode”

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 15: President of basketball operations Daryl Morey responds during a press conference at the Seventy Sixers Practice Facility on February 15, 2022 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) 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.

James Harden And Daryl Morey Deserve Each Other

Russell Westbrook Is Just The Man To Salvage Dignity In Defeat

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers blocks the shot by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns, winning Round One Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 at Footprint Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Russell Westbrook Is Always Himself

Israel Daramola

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers react from the bench during a 125-118 LA Clippers win at Crypto.com Arena on April 05, 2023 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.

Getting Old Sucks

David Roth

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer looking very interested during an October 2022 tour of the future Clippers arena, which it turns out will have a lot of toilets in it.

Entire Clippers Roster Gathers To Watch Team Owner Shout “Toilets!”

Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers speaks in front of Kawhi Leonard #2, Marcus Morris Sr. #8, Ivica Zubac #40 and Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers during a 108-101 Minnesota Timberwolves win at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2023 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)

The Clippers Don’t Feel So Good

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates after the game against the LA Clippers on February 24, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

All Glory To The Beam

Luis Paez-Pumar

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on January 24, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

LeBron James Makes History, Looks Miserable Doing It

Ivica Zubac high-fives head coach Tyronn Lue.

Ivica Zubac Went Ogre Mode For The Indomitable Clippers

Let Patrick Beverley Cry His Happy Tears

The Timberwolves Deserve Better

Clippers Smite Poor Austin Reaves With Sword Of Truth

A Spalding ball sits on the court during the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets at Philips Arena on November 20, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.