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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

You DID Hear It From Us: There's Normal Gossip Merch

NEW NORMAL GOSSIP MERCH!

Merch v3

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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.

2023 NBA Finals – Miami Heat v Denver Nuggets

The Heat’s Fire Turned Back To Embers

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.

2023 NBA Finals – Denver Nuggets v Miami Heat

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

DENVER NUGGETS VS MIAMI HEAT, NBA PLAYOFFS

A Little Duncan Robinson Can Go A Long Way

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Patrick Redford

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a 104-93 victory against the Miami Heat in Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 01, 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)

2023 NBA Finals – Game One

The Two Plays That Defined Nikola Jokic’s Brilliant Finals Debut

Eric Lewis #42 looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Someone Tweeted NBA Referee Eric Lewis Out Of An NBA Finals Assignment

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Giri Nathan

Andrew Wiggins cradles the Larry O'Brien trophy.

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Andrew Wiggins Inspired Underachievers Everywhere

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Six

Gary Payton II Traversed Basketball Purgatory On His Way To A Championship

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Chris Thompson

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The Real Champion Is You, Who Gets To Look At These Sad Boston Fans

Stephen Curry #30 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Klay Thompson Is Just Happy To Be Here Again

<p>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 <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


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Drew Magary

General view of the NBA Finals logo

Funbag

We Must Give The NBA Finals A Better Name

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Five

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

Draymond Green in his postgame press conference after the Warriors beat the Pistons 118-91 on Saturday, January 30.

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Draymond Green Podcasted Beyond The Point Of Shame

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game Two

That Was A Hell Of A Defensive Performance

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: (L to R) Kevon Looney #5, Klay Thompson #11, Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 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)

2022 NBA Finals – Game One

What The Hell Happened To The Warriors There?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 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)

The Celtics Sprung A Trap On The Warriors

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Laura Wagner

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns watches during the second half in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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.

2021 NBA Finals – Game Six

Media Meltdowns

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Championship Inspires Confusing Poetry

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Deandre Ayton Lost, But He Still Had Fun

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Ray Ratto

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Mike Budenholzer Did What He Had To Do

That Was The Weepiest Finals Celebration Ever

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bucks Exorcised All Their Demons

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David Roth

NBA megastar Brandon Jennings seen here objecting to a foul call while with the Knicks, a team he apparently played for.

Boston Celtics v New York Knicks

Defector Up All Night

The Stars Are Out For Game 6 Of The NBA Finals!

Giannis Antentokounmpo attempts a pass while being fouled by Chris Paul in Game 4 of the NBA Finals

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Podcasts

Talking About The Federal Limewire Enforcement Agency And The NBA Finals, With Gabe Fernandez

Devin Booker and Chris Paul high-five at the end of Phoenix's victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals

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The NBA Finals At The End Of The World, With Albert Burneko

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Samer Kalaf

ESPN sports broadcaster, Rachel Nichols at American Airlines Center on February 06, 2021 in Dallas, Texas.

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks

Journalismism

The Current Version Of Deadspin Can’t Even Eat Shit Correctly

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