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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

It All Comes Down To Anthony Davis

Ray Ratto

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot by Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 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)

Jordan Poole, Off The Deep End

Eating Some Shit Might Be Just What The Grizzlies Need

LeBron James celebrates after scoring the decisive overtime basket.

LeBron James Sure Knows How To Pick His Spots

Patrick Redford

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during Round 1 Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James Got Some Help From His Secondary Buddies

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James #6 interviews after the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 11, 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 (

Lakers Redeem Cursed Season By Falling Backwards Into Playoffs

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

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 26: Patrick Beverley #21 of the Chicago Bulls touches the Los Angeles Lakers basketball court as he celebrates after scoring a basket against LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the closing minute of the game at Crypto.com Arena on March 26, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LeBron James Of Feet Not Quite Enough To Push LeBron James Of Basketball To Return Win

At Last, The Lakers And Russell Westbrook Are Kaput

LeBron James breaks the all-time scoring record

LeBron James Is All That Matters In Los Angeles

Albert Burneko

LeBron James looking up at what's probably a rebound

LeBron James’s Former Colleagues Laud His Greatness, Incredibly Rudely

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving shake hands.

For The Lakers, Kyrie Irving Would Be A Risk Worth Taking

LeBron James Is Next In A Long Line

Boston, MA - January 28: Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James falls to his knees in frustration after the final play of regulation. The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics, 125-121, in overtime. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

There’s No Sense In The Lakers Crying Over The Unavoidable

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

In Tidy Role Reversal, The Lakers Profit From The Wizards’ Dysfunction

LeBron James Still Rules

Giri Nathan

Anthony Davis Is The Center Of Everything

It Is Time Once Again For Math To Tell Us Which Underperforming NBA Teams Are Truly Crud

If The Lakers Are In Hell, The Nets Are Somewhere Worse

Russell Westbrook watches from the sidelines.

How Long Will The Lakers Delay The Inevitable?

David Roth

Zion Williamson casts a skeptical look at officials in a New Orleans Pelicans game in October of 2022.

Podcasts

The Dreaded Vladimir Radmanovic Comparison, With Patrick Redford

Russell Westbrook bricks a jumper late in Lakers-Blazers as teammates Anthony Davis and LeBron James wave their hands in frustration.