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Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates the game winning basket as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the fourth quarter of Round 1 Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Nets 115-114. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum’s Buzzer-Beater Was A Masterpiece Of Teamwork

David Roth

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, seemingly looking at the Distraction logo.

Podcasts

The NBA Playoffs And Watching R-Rated Movies With Your Parents, With Rohan Nadkarni

Laura Wagner

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

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

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

Tom Ley

Was That Some Sort Of Prank?

Let Us Now Watch Game 1 Of The Eastern Conference Finals, And Speak Of It Together


<p><a href="https://jeremygordon.xyz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeremy Gordon</a>&#8216;s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, and Pitchfork. </p>


Jeremy Gordon

A Grand Unified Theory For Achieving Total Basketball Enlightenment

Albert Burneko

Basketball Is Played By People, Not Archetypes

Ray Ratto

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate the win of game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in overtime to win the series.

Defensive Heroics Made For A Wild Night In The NBA And NHL Playoffs

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JUNE 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates a basket in Game Five of the Western Conference second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on June 16, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Enjoy The Paul George Redemption Arc

Kevin Durant Finally Had The Moment To Himself

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers slam dunks against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 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)

Kawhi Leonard Locks In

Chris Paul Reminded Everyone Who He Is

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 13: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets is injured during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference second round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum on June 13, 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Kyrie Irving Adds Yet Another Injury To The NBA Playoffs

Brad Stevens, seen here contemplating a future in which he doesn't have to coach anymore.

The NBA Playoffs And The Defenestration Of Boston, With Rohan Nadkarni

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks interview after a 127-121 Dallas Mavericks win over the LA Clippers in game two of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on May 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Luka Doncic Solves All The Problems

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MAY 23: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz blocks Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 23, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Grizzlies Are Here To Party


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks the ball past Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 99-90.

All The Phoenix Suns Have To Do Is Rewrite Their Own History

Russell Westbrook contemplates the void, and The Distraction logo.

A Hater’s Guide To Every Postseason, With Lauren Theisen And Albert Burneko

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to play behind Anthony Davis #3 during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on May 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

We Are Headed Towards A Most Uncertain NBA Playoffs

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Quinn Cook #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers and teammates after winning the 2020 NBA Championship in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

It Won’t Happen This Way Ever Again

Kelsey McKinney

a camera operator is silhouetted by a dusk sky

Media Meltdowns

The Art Of The Live Sports Broadcast Is In Danger

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 26, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

History May Not Be Kind To The Nuggets’ Future

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets reacts to James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)