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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.

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Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Dante Exum #0 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 12, 2023 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas,

Los Angeles Lakers v Dallas Mavericks

The Dream Of Dante Exum Is Alive Once Again

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

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Drew Magary

Anthony Davis celebrates a basket during the Lakers' win over the Pacers in the final of the NBA's In-Season Tournament.

Indiana Pacers v Los Angeles Lakers: Championship – 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament

Can Anthony Davis Just Do That, Like, Every Game?

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Kevin Durant #35 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers: Quarterfinals – 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament

In-Season Tournament Gets Everyone’s Attention With A Glaring Officiating Fuck-Up

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Patrick Redford

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on November 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Denver Nuggets

Ime Udoka Got Ejected For Being A Weird Asshole To LeBron James

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

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Diana Moskovitz

Center Dwight Howard #12 of the Taoyuan Leopards reacts at the courtside during the T1 League game between TaiwanBeer HeroBears and Taoyuan Leopards at University of Taipei Tianmu Gymnasium on February 19, 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Dwight Howard

A Timeline Of The Sexual Assault Allegations Against Dwight Howard

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Chris Thompson

LeBron James powers through three Suns defenders in the fourth quarter of Thursday's game.

LeBron James Advanced The Lakers A Few Of His Precious Minutes

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Israel Daramola

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

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Arts And Culture

‘Winning Time’ Is Back And Still Ridiculous

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)

2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League – Detroit Pistons v Orlando Magic

Surely Christian Wood Still Has Something To Offer

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Giri Nathan

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

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

2023 NBA Playoffs – Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

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

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.

Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119-108 during game 3 of a Western Conference finals NBA playoff basketball game.

Nikola Jokic Was There When It Mattered Most

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets – Game Two

LeBron Cost The Lakers

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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)

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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

2023 NBA Playoffs – Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

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)

Los Angeles Lakers host Golden State Warriors for Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Monnday, May 8, 2023

The Warriors Blew It

2023 NBA Playoffs – 	Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers

Lonnie Walker IV Rewarded LeBron James’s Trust

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)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors – Game One

Jordan Poole, Off The Deep End

Dillon Brooks does a pre-game jump-kick.

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)

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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 (

2023 Play-In Tournament – Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers

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.

Los Angeles Lakers v Los Angeles Clippers

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)

Chicago Bulls v Los Angeles Lakers

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

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