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Defector

Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings go for a loose ball in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 01, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This Is What Getting Left Behind Looks Like

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three-point basket in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Emirates NBA Cup game at Golden 1 Center on November 15, 2024 in Sacramento, California.

Nobody Is Doing It Like De’Aaron Fox

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.

Podcasts

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

Ray Ratto

Klay Thompson reacts after missing a shot

Kings, Inevitable Passing Of Time End The Warriors

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 09: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the LA Clippers at Footprint Center on April 09, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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)

Enter The Western Conference Anxiety Vortex

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 29: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings looks for a rebound during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 29, 2024 at FedExForum 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

An Ode To The Modern Rebounder

Head Coach Monty Williams of the Detroit Pistons reacts towards referee Scott Foster #48 during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Little Caesars Arena on January 09, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Giving The Pistons A 20-Point Lead Is Like Giving A Baby A Knife

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - DECEMBER 21: Vinicius Junior attends the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the LA Clippers on December 21, 2023 at Paycom Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Soccer

Vinicius Jr. Pays Visit To Best Cities In America, Also Los Angeles

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings (2nd L) reacts with teammates after making a three-point basket in the third quarter U at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2023 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Keegan Murray Changes Everything

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings after fouled by D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakersin the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on November 15, 2023 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Kings Are Making Continuity Work

Giri Nathan

Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell hug each other.

Two Fans Of Usually Bad Teams Deal With The Specter Of Expectations

Malik Monk prepares to push the button that illuminates the beam after Sacramento's win against Golden State in Game 2 of their NBA Playoffs series.

The Beam Shines For All, With Patrick Redford

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 30: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings embraces Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after Round One Game Seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

It’s Over For The Sacramento Kings, Who Are Just Getting Started

Albert Burneko

Steph Curry with the Sacramento crowd behind him

Well, Shit: Steph Curry’s Fourth-Quarter Buckets, Graded For Rudeness

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 26: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw during Round 1 Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Draymond Green And The Warriors Taught Sacramento A Painful Lesson

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches a shot he took against the Sacramento Kings during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 23, 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)

This Is What Flipping The Switch Looks Like

Luis Paez-Pumar

Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Round One Game Four of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California

The Kings Needed To Be Just A Little Better

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 20: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings go for a rebound during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Chase Center on April 20, 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)

Draymond Who?

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Davion Mitchell #15 of the Sacramento Kings is congratulated by teammates after they beat the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Golden 1 Center on April 17, 2023 in Sacramento, 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)

It Took Everyone To Put Steph Curry Somewhere He’s Never Been Before

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


Chris Thompson

Draymond Green makes a face after stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis.

The NBA Playoffs Have Not Truly Begun Until Draymond Green Has Kicked Someone In Anger

Samer Kalaf

The rapper E-40 yells at arena security personnel before being escorted from courtside seating during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings

E-40 Says Kings Security Wrongfully Ejected Him From Game 1

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings lights the beam after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 in Sacramento, 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 Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

Sacramento Worships Beneath The First Playoff Beam

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<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>
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Charles P. Pierce

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 4: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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

When Domantas Sabonis Leads The Kings Into The Playoffs, I Hope Dale Brown Is Watching

Patrick Redford eats a chunk of onion on Defector's Twitch stream

Announcements

Patrick Ate The Onion

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 and Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings celebrate after a three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Golden 1 Center on November 20, 2022 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)