CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton, who received many accolades for his performance on the court, is depicted here. Walton would later go on to pursue a career off the court as a sports broadcaster and an actor in feature films.

Bill Walton Let His Joy Flourish

Giri Nathan

This Is So Stupid

Deandre Ayton Could Have Scooted On His Butt

Ray Ratto

Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder tumble after a loose ball during the second half at Paycom Center on January 11, 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.

The NBA Is The Best At Showing Us The Worst

Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards battles for control of the ball against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on November 27, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Washington won the game 126-107.

The In-Season Tournament For Even The Least Of Us

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in a game between the Bucks and Blazers

Damian Lillard Becomes A Milwaukee Buck In A Wild Three-Team Trade

The Raptors Are In On The Half-Assed Hunt For Damian Lillard

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers looks on during a game in Portland, Oregon.

NBA Urges Teams To Disregard Damian Lillard’s Threats

Tom Ley

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center on April 09, 2023 in Portland, Oregon

Defector Up All Night

Be Glad You Aren’t Damian Lillard’s Agent

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center on March 24, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard May Have Hit The Eject Button Too Late

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Scoot Henderson celebrates after being drafted third overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Blazers Are At A Fascinating Crossroads

Israel Daramola

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 27: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a call during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center on March 27, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

Dame Lillard, You Don’t Want To Be The Face Of This

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers scores career-high 71 points during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2023 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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

Damian Lillard Put Up The Purest 71 Points Ever Scored

Damian Lillard Is Mr. Portland

Jerami Grant Has Things Covered

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 26: Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on October 26, 2022 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Shaedon Sharpe Is Figuring It Out

Luis Paez-Pumar

Pokusevski passes the ball into the crowd

Not Even Poku Can Stop The Portland Tank Experience

Portland’s Tanking Project Is Going Awfully Well

Remade Blazers Rub Knicks’ Noses In Their Own Mess

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers react during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

It’s The End Of Something In Portland

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Blazers Fire Neil Olshey After Taking A Month To Learn He Led A Toxic Workplace

What Exactly Did The Blazers Investigate?


<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

A photo of new Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. He is wearing a suit and tie in Blazers colors. Behind him is a backdrop with the Blazers logo.

Here’s What Happened When Jane Doe Sued Chauncey Billups For Sexual Assault

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Assistant coach Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 14, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.