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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

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Live Event

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Tom Ley

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a shot against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers of game three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 09, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.

Cleveland Cavaliers v Indiana Pacers – Game Three

All Of You Motherfuckers Are On Fraud Watch

Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the fourth quarter of Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on May 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma City Thunder – Game One

That Was All Mark’s Dang Fault

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David Roth

Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs.

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Podcasts

I’m Feeling Like Steve, With Patrick Redford

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Ray Ratto

of the Memphis Grizzlies walks off the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Memphis Grizzlies – Game Three

For 20 Minutes, The Memphis Grizzlies Were Actually In It

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Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on March 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA Playoffs Will Be A Clash Of Generations And Styles

Darius Garland reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat

Miami Heat v Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers Are Going To Take Some Getting Used To

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 21, 2025 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)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz

The Thunder Need Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Greatness To Be Enough

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands next to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 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)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors – Game One

Everyone Thinks They Have A Shot

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts to drive past Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center on January 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers v Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder Articulate A Philosophy Of Pressure

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket around Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Oklahoma City Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers

What Could Possibly Be The Problem With More Cavaliers-Thunder?

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

Evan Mobley 2025

Evan Mobley Is The Real Thing

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks lifts the championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates after the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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The Bucks Rode A Big Third Quarter To An NBA Cup Win They Definitely Care About

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 8: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a made basket during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center on November 8, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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.

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder

The NBA Is Turning Into One Big Hospital Ward

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder leaves the court after the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, October 24, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

DENVER NUGGETS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, NBA

Chet Holmgren Is The Future, Too

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Albert Burneko

P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs.

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Thunder–Mavericks Deserved A Better Ending

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