defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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-no-empty-space

Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

Russell Westbrook (4) of the Denver Nuggets goes berzerk after dunking and taking a technical for hanging on the rim theatrically during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 120-101 series-clinching win over the LA Clippers at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The Denver Nuggets defeated the LA Clippers 4-3 in their best-of-seven NBA Playoffs series.

DENVER NUGGETS VS LA CLIPPERS, NBA

Nikola Jokic’s Friends Showed Up When He Needed Them Most

headshot1

Patrick Redford

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets sits on the bench after notching his 40th point during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 131-115 win over the LA Clippers

Jamal Murray Was Arrogant And Generous Enough To Craft Another Classic

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers drives on Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Kawhi Leonard Is Just Living With It

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets argues with referee Justin Van Duyne (64) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

DENVER NUGGETS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, NBA

Everyone Can Do That

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth speak during the teams training camp at the UCSD campus in La Jolla, California on Thursday, September 28, 2022.

DENVER NUGGETS TRAINING CAMP

Michael Malone And Calvin Booth Lose Their War Over The Soul Of The Nuggets

Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets fouls Nickeil Alexander-Walker #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves on a three point attempt as time expires in the double overtime period resulting in a game winning free throw by Alexander-Walker at Ball Arena on April 1, 2025 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.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets

Noooo, Russell Westbrook, Don’t Do That! Nooooo, Don’t Do That Either!

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts for the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets

JJ Redick Invented A New Way To Defend Nikola Jokic, And It’s Working

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 21: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets throws a no-look alley-oop pass to Aaron Gordon #32 against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Ball Arena on January 21, 2025 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.

Philadelphia 76ers v Denver Nuggets

How The Hell Is Nikola Jokic Doing This?

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 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.

Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets

Russell Westbrook Is Enjoying The Nikola Jokic School For Wayward Careers

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the second half at Intuit Dome on December 01, 2024 in Inglewood, 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.

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Clippers

Math Is Catching Up To The Nuggets

IMG_5859

Giri Nathan

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

How Can He Slap?

Jokic bird

Wings Week

Nikola Met A Bird

Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Minnesota Has The Bedrock

Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Rudy Gobert (27) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

No Weapon Formed Against Nikola Jokic Shall Prosper

Screenshot 2024-05-13 at 8.59.00 AM

The Timberwolves Had A Very Bad 20 Seconds

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets attempts to pass over Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 06, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Denver Nuggets – Game Two

The Nuggets Have Been Exposed For All To See

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets scores game winning basket against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 22, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray Has Never Missed A Jump Shot In His Entire Life

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on April 9, 2024. I put the little Distraction logo at upper right so it looks like he's glowering at it.

Denver Nuggets v Utah Jazz

Podcasts

We’re All Lifelong Nuggets Fans Here, With Patrick Redford

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during 2023-24 NBA Media Day on October 2, 2023 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

2023-24 San Antonio Spurs Media Day

This Fucking Guy Is Going To Ruin My Life

Nikola Jokic #15 high fives Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 8, 2024 NBAE at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Nikola Jokic And Aaron Gordon Are In Space

Image from iOS (36)

Luis Paez-Pumar

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Nuggets Own The Lakers

Serbian NBA basketball player Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets attends a horse race in his hometown of Sombor in native Serbia, on June 18, 2023. Jokic and his team the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA title on June 12, 2023. (Photo by Oliver Bunic / AFP)

SERBIA-BASKET-SRB-NBA-JOKIC

Defector Up All Night

Unforgiving. The Lightning Is Coming.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots the game winner three point basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on January 4, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. J

nikola-jokic

Nikola Jokic Is In One Of His Can’t-Miss Moods

justin

Justin Ellis

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets stands under the Jumbotron, which says "Howl-o-meter" during a stop in the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 1, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nikola Jokic’s Shoddy Work Ethic And Horse-Gazing Tendencies Have Clearly Cost Him A Shot At Greatness

Screen Shot 2023-08-15 at 5.48.50 PM

Aaron Gordon And Nikola Jokic Are Having A Good Fellas’ Trip

nikola jokic