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Defector

Israel Daramola

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson next to each other in season two of HBO's series "Winning Time."

Arts And Culture

‘Winning Time’ Is Back And Still Ridiculous

Patrick Redford

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Christian Wood looks on during the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Surely Christian Wood Still Has Something To Offer

Giri Nathan

LeBron James talks to press after the Lakers' Western Conference Finals loss to the Nuggets

LeBron Compliments Nikola Jokic’s Big Basketball Brain And Contemplates Retirement

Nikola Jokic Is The Best And Everyone Will Just Have To Accept It

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets react after a three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most

LeBron Cost The Lakers

Ray Ratto

DENVER, CO - MAY 16 : Rui Hachimura (28) of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during 1st game of Western Conference Final at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

The Lakers Better Hope Their Jokic-Stopper Is For Real

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 10: LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors on May 10, 2023 at Chase Center 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

Lakers-Warriors Is A Series Searching For A Story

Los Angeles, CA - May 08: Lakers forward LeBron James forces Warriors guard Stephen Curry to turn over the ball with less than tweo seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monday, May 8,, 2023. Los Angeles on Monday, May 8, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Warriors Blew It

Lonnie Walker IV Rewarded LeBron James’s Trust

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


Chris Thompson

It All Comes Down To Anthony Davis

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

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

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

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.