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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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Ray Ratto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Four

The Nets’ Making Was Their Undoing

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Patrick Redford

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - APRIL 21: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives into Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2022 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)

Dallas Mavericks v Utah Jazz – Game Three

Jalen Brunson And The Mavericks Are In The Process Of Ending The Jazz Once And For All

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Chris Thompson

That Was Painful

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 20: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets stands for the singing of the national anthem before Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics – Game Two

BenWatch: Incoming

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with Larry Nance Jr. #22 following Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 125-114. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

New Orleans Pelicans v Phoenix Suns – Game Two

The Pelicans Are Rising To The Moment

Jalen Brunson Torched Utah’s Shabby Playoff Defense

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: JaMychal Green #0 of the Denver Nuggets and Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Golden State Warriors go for a rebound during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 18, 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)

Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors – Game Two

Give Me Game 7 Or Go To Hell

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 16: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court during the first half of Game One of the Western Conference First Round against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on April 16, 2022 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. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Memphis Grizzlies – Game One

Anthony Edwards Is That Guy

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)

Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics – Game One

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

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David Roth

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

New York Knicks v Denver Nuggets

Podcasts

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

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Laura Wagner

2021 NBA Finals – Game Six

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

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

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Tom Ley

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Four

Was That Some Sort Of Prank?

Atlanta Hawks v Philadelphia 76ers – Game Seven

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

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Albert Burneko

Philadelphia 76ers v Atlanta Hawks – Game Six

Basketball Is Played By People, Not Archetypes

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.

Milwaukee Bucks v Brooklyn Nets – Game Seven

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)

Los Angeles Clippers v Utah Jazz – Game Five

Enjoy The Paul George Redemption Arc

Milwaukee Bucks v Brooklyn Nets – Game Five

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)

Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Four

Kawhi Leonard Locks In

Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets – Game Three

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)

Brooklyn Nets v Milwaukee Bucks – Game Four

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)

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Luka Doncic Solves All The Problems

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