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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

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers looks on during a game in Portland, Oregon.

NBA Urges Teams To Disregard Damian Lillard’s Threats

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

The Heat’s Fire Turned Back To Embers

Tom Ley

DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: A overall view of the Denver Nuggets team during the post-game celebration during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

A Championship Deciphers The Past

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets grabs the rebound during Game Three of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 7, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

The Nuggets Were Just Too Damn Big

Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat flexes after a strong finish as Nikola Jokic (15) and Denver Nuggets teammates head to the bench for a timeout in the fourth quarter of Miami's 111-108 win during Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, June 4, 2023

A Little Duncan Robinson Can Go A Long Way

Patrick Redford

DENVER, CO - JUNE 4: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets on June 4, 2023 at the Ball Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Miami Punches Back

Ray Ratto

Miami's Duncan Robinson argues with referee Eric Davis during Game 1 of the NBA Finals

The Heat Have Bigger Problems Than The Refs

Nikola Jokic defends against Bam Adebayo.

The Heat Forgot Which Direction The Rim Is In

Albert Burneko

An old black-and-white photo of a game between the Celtics and Royals

A Timely And Data-Loaded 2023 NBA Finals Preview, For Basketball Idiots

David Roth

Gabe Vincent, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin stand together as the team is introduced before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Podcasts

Eat Culture, With Rohan Nadkarni

Caleb Martin of the Miami Heat shoots over Derrick White of the Boston Celtics in Monday night's Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

The Heat Win Ugly

MIAMI, FL - MAY 27: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics shoots the game winner during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat on May 27, 2023 at the Kaseya Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Derrick White Was In Place

Jayson Tatum blocks the shot of Bam Adebayo.

It’s Fine That The Celtics Are Kicking The Heat’s Butts Off. I’m Not Worried. It’s Fine!

Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics holds the ball while Jimmy Butler makes a Jimmy Butler Face in an Eastern Conference Finals game..

Sacred Oafs, Holy Madmen, Culture Wars, Things Of That Nature

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics controls the ball ahead of Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Kaseya Center on May 23, 2023 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 Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Celtics Live To Disappoint Another Day

Giri Nathan

Joe Mazzulla Looks Totally Lost Out There

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Celtics Are Gifting The Heat This Series

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nobody Pounces Like The Heat

Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat grabs the rebound during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks on May 8, 2023 at Kaseya Center in Miami,

The Heat Sapped New York’s Will To Live One Rebound At A Time

RJ Barrett Needs To Be More Up Than Down

Giannis Erupts On Reporter With Heated Display Of Nuanced Understanding Of The Ultimate Purpose Of Sport

Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks is interviewed after Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mike Budenholzer Blew It Again

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida.