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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

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Patrick Redford

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Basketball – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 15

‘Court Of Gold’ Is Brilliant When It Gets Specific

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Ray Ratto

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 20: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada reacts after scoring the game-winning goal during the first overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off – Championship

The Game Always Speaks For Itself

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Barry Petchesky

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 20: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal during the first overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Hockey Remains Canada’s

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - FEBRUARY 13: (Top-Bottom) Charlie McAvoy #25, Jake Guentzel #59, Zach Werenski #8, Auston Matthews #34 and Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States stand at their blueline during the singing of the United Sates national anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on February 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off – United States v Finland

Please Stop Liking My Sport

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team USA and Brandon Hagel #38 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on February 15, 2025.

2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off – United States v Canada

The 4 Nations Face-Off Really Might Be The Solution For All-Star Malaise

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 17: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada carries the puck against Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland during the second period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off – Canada v Finland

This Is What We Came For

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Lauren Theisen

J.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off – United States v Canada

Canada Still Alive In 4 Nations Despite Pugnacious Defeat In Montreal

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - FEBRUARY: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States points to a teammate after scoring his second goal of the third period against Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland during the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on February 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Rowdy Tkachuk Boys Wreak General Havoc On Finland

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Giri Nathan

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Lebron James #6 and Stephen Curry #4 of Team United States celebrate after their team's win against Team Serbia during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Basketball – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 13

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Steph Curry Kept The U.S. On Top

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Kelsey McKinney

Alex Sedrick #8 of Team United States scores her team's second and winning try during the Women's Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France.

Rugby Sevens – Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 4

She Ran! Watch Her Run!

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09

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Chris Thompson

Jayson Tatum not playing in the Olympics.

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Steve Kerr Needs Some Better Excuses

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the United States drives to the basket against Maodo Lo #4 of Germany during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Semi Final game between USA and Germany at Mall of Asia Arena on September 08, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

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Maybe They Should Consider Assembling A Real Team USA Sometime Soon

John Loeppky is a freelance writer and theatre artist currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared for outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, CBC, and Maclean’s.

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John Loeppky

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Parasports

Inside The Athlete Uprising That Brought Down A Wheelchair Hoops Legend

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Team Canada reacts after defeating Team United States in the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on February 17, 2022 in Beijing, China.

Ice Hockey – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Day 13

The Best Team Won

Erin Ambrose #23 of Team Canada reacts after a goal by teammate Emma Maltais #27 (not in photo) during the third period of the Women's Ice Hockey Playoff Semifinal match between Team Canada and Team Switzerland on Day 10 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on February 14, 2022 in Beijing, China.

Ice Hockey – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Day 10

A Fast And Fierce Team Canada Is Raising The Bar For Everyone

Ice Hockey – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Day 7

That Was A Scary 48 Seconds For Team USA

USA's Abby Roque (R) tries to score past USA's goaltender Madeline Rooney during the women's preliminary round group A match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey competition between USA and Canada, at the Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing on February 8, 2022.

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To Defend Their Gold, The Americans Need To Be Steady As Abby Roque

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The U.S. Men’s Relay Woes Continued

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Bobby Finke Pulled Off Another Unbelievable Comeback

TOPSHOT - France's Evan Fournier (L) goes to the basket as USA's Draymond Jamal Green tries to block in the men's preliminary round group A basketball match between France and USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

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Uh-Oh

Team USA Basketball Training Session

It Might Just Not Be Our Quadrennial

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Samer Kalaf

Caleb Agada #3 of Nigeria fouls Kevin Durant #7 of the United States as Miye Oni #13 of Nigeria defends during an exhibition game at Michelob ULTRA Arena ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Nigeria’s Upset Of Team USA Calls To Mind A Bewildering Malcolm Gladwell Tangent

Kalyn Kahler

Biles

Gymnastics

The Draw Of Simone Biles

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The U.S. Men Did Not Qualify For 3-On-3 Basketball At The Olympics

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David Roth

Matt Wieters, seen here catching for the Cardinals in a 2019 game.

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Team USA’s Preliminary Roster Is A Damn Symphony Of Baseball Guys

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