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

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

We’ve Arrived At The “Nitpicking The Officiating” Portion Of The Finals

Patrick Redford

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings speaks to head coach Mike Brown in a break against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 20, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

Beam Team’s Esteemed Dreams Once Deemed Reamed, Now Redeemed With New Regimes

Giri Nathan

The New York Knicks celebrate with the Bob Cousy Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game Four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals

What Is This Alien Feeling Of Watching The Knicks Without Pain?

Ray Ratto

Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs.

Mike Brown Is Turning Skeptics Into Believers

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green blocks a shot by New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns in 4th quarter of 126-113 win

The Knicks Are Exuding Toilet Aromas

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

Dan McQuade

A Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals fan are seen prior to a game at Paycor Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is snow all around them.

The Bengals Left It To Their Fans To Clean Up The Snow

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown looks on from the sideline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center on December 22, 2024 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Knicks Backed Their Way Into A Good Coach

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 10: Head coach Doug Christie of the Sacramento Kings reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 10, 2025 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. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Doug Christie Gives The Surprising Kings The Freedom To Be Good

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2024 in Sacramento, 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)

It Feels So Over In Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Mike Brown, head coach of the Sacramento Kings, looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center on November 13, 2022 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)