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Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics collides with Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 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)

That’s Gotta Hurt

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Sixers Had Another Nightmare Finish Against Boston

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semi-finals on May 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jayson Tatum Hit The Shots When It Mattered

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Joel Embiid Is Showing Up His Biggest Critic: Joel Embiid

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 07: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in overtime of game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

James Harden Knows

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers falls to the court after colliding with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Celtics Own The Sixers

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during Round Two Game One of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 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

James Harden Outshot The Celtics, Somehow

Tom Ley

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 20, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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

The Sixers And Joel Embiid Are Back Where They Always End Up

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts toward referee Nick Buchert #3 against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The 76ers won 102-97. 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.

It’s About Contact With The Balls

Paul Reed #44 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during Round 1 Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The photo has been edited to blow up all the faces in the crowd going wild at Bball Paul's rebound and layup.

Bball Paul Is Balling

Giri Nathan

Joel Embiid Made His Case Again

James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on February 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Report: James Harden Pines For The Days Of Mailing It In With The Rockets

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid blocks Ja Morant's shot attempt.

When Joel Embiid Decides To Be A Monster, Look Out!

Maitreyi Anantharaman

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 18: Mac McClung #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the AT&amp;T Slam Dunk Contest as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mac McClung Was A Star All Along

Joel Embiid attempts a lay-up in a career night.

Joel Embiid Did All Of Basketball

Daryl Morey smiles at a Sixers press conference.

Daryl Morey Has An Alarming Relationship With Cars

Ben Simmons Played Basketball

The Sixers Season Is Over, But At Least I Got This Playoff NFT

This Again?

Local Car Dealer Catches Courtside Snooze During Sixers Playoff Win

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jimmy Butler #22 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat high five against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida.

How Bad Can A Series Truly Be When It Has Victor Oladipo?

Doc Rivers Has Picked One Hell Of A Hill To Die On

Patrick Redford

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 25: James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Sixers Need More From James Harden

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)