The Lead

Latest Episodes:

Julius Randle's All-Star Transformation Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Last season, Julius Randle was arguably the Knicks' most despised player. Last week, fans gave him a standing ovation and chanted "MVP" at Madison Square Garden. The Athletic's Mike Vorkuov, who covers the Knicks, walks us through his remarkable journey from Lakers castoff to Knicks underachiever to NBA All-Star -- and explains how a new off-season training program helped him take his game to the next level.

More from Mike Vorkunov:

https://theathletic.com/author/mike-vorkunov/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inside The Russell Wilson-Seahawks Rift Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Last week, some big news came out of Seattle, with multiple reports suggesting that Russell Wilson could be seeking a trade to another team. Today, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar takes us inside the rift between Wilson, head coach Pete Carroll and the team, with a look at some of the key steps that have driven them to the brink of a possible divorce.

Read the full story about Russell Wilson and the Seahawks by Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks: https://theathletic.com/2409212/2021/02/25/russell-wilson-trade-seahawks/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Forgotten Black Scout Who Changed Football Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

In the early 1960s, the country was still highly segregated and Black athletes, particularly those growing up in the South, didn't have a lot of options when it came to college football. Most ended up at HBCUs, which were largely overlooked or ignored by professional football scouts. But Lloyd Wells, a newspaperman and raconteur from Houston, helped change that when he became a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs. Under the direction of legendary team owner Lamar Hunt, Wells used his vast network of contacts to identify and recruit top Black players to Kansas City, which ultimately helped the Chiefs win the 1970 Super Bowl. The Athletic's Rustin Dodd joins us to tell Wells's remarkable story, which has largely been lost to history.

Read Rustin Dodd's story about Lloyd Wells:

https://theathletic.com/2356066/2021/02/04/the-legacy-bowl-how-a-bold-scout-hbcu-talent-elevated-chiefs-and-football/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fernando Tatis Jr. And The Statue Contract Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Last season, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was among the most electric players in all of baseball. Last week, the team signed their emerging star to a massive 14-year, $340 million contract extension. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Dennis Lin to look at how the idea for Tatis Jr.’s deal was inspired by a pair of statues, and the unique bond between player and general manager that helped this contract become a reality.

Read Dennis Lin’s story about Fernando Tatis Jr.: https://theathletic.com/2404908/2021/02/22/padres-fernando-tatis-jr-statue-contract/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tiger Woods Faces An Uncertain Future Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

In the aftermath of Tiger Woods's shocking car crash on Tuesday morning, Brendan Quinn joins us to discuss what we know about the accident, the latest on Tiger's condition, and the uncomfortable parallels (and differences) between this accident and his infamous car crash of 2009. We also discuss what the injuries he sustained in the crash could mean for Tiger's life and legacy, and why it's important to separate the man from the myth.

Read Brendan Quinn's story about the Tiger Woods car crash:

https://theathletic.com/2407281/2021/02/23/tiger-woods-accident-car-crash/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Zion Williamson Evolution Has Begun Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

This past weekend, we saw the roller coaster nature of the New Orleans Pelicans season, as they lost a game where they got outscored 41-12 in the 4th quarter, then turned around and pulled off the biggest comeback in franchise history two days later. Zion Williamson made some big plays late in that game against the Celtics, and today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Will Guillory to look at how a noticeable change in his game has made the inconsistent Pelicans a lot more dangerous.

Read Will Guillory’s story about Zion Williamson: https://theathletic.com/2382506/2021/02/12/zion-williamsons-new-orleans-pelicans-nba/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Silver's All-Star Game Dilemma Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has long enjoyed a friendly -- and mutually respectful -- relationship with NBA players. So, when superstars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokonmpo and others recently criticized the league's decision to hold the NBA All-Star Game during the pandemic, many people were taken aback by the frankness of their comments. The Athletic's Sam Amick joins us to break down the forces at work behind the commissioner's decision, why LeBron might not actually be speaking on behalf of the players this time around, and how Adam Silver's decision might complicate his relationship with the players.

Read Sam Amick's story about Adam Silver and the NBA All-Star Game:

https://theathletic.com/2376897/2021/02/09/nba-all-star-game-inside-the-factors-fueling-leagues-decision-to-play/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Bat, Loud Music: The Marcell Ozuna Experience Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

Marcell Ozuna was one of the best hitters in baseball last season, and a key component of an Atlanta Braves team that nearly reached the World Series. After a long offseason and months of uncertainty, the Braves finally agreed to a deal with the free agent to keep him in Atlanta for an extended run. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David O’Brien to discuss why it took Ozuna so long to re-sign with the Braves, and how his personality as much as his bat has changed the dynamic for Atlanta.

Read David O’Brien’s story about Marcell Ozuna: https://theathletic.com/2372023/2021/02/06/atlanta-braves-resign-marcell-ozuna/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Luka Garza's VHS Tape Education Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

During this college basketball season, the player who has arguably been more dominant than anyone else is the nation’s leading scorer, Iowa big man Luka Garza. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Brian Hamilton to look at how Garza developed his game by studying old VHS tapes in his basement — from Hakeem Olajuwon to Jack Sikma to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — and why despite his gaudy numbers, there are still many who don’t believe in his NBA future.

Read Brian Hamilton’s story about Luka Garza: https://theathletic.com/2266313/2020/12/18/luka-garza-iowa-hawkeyes-nba-kareem-abdul-jabbar-hakeem-olajuwon-kevin-mchale-jack-sikma/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz True Contenders? Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

The Utah Jazz are on an incredible tear. They're 19-1 in their last twenty games, they have the best record in the NBA, and they've beaten the 76ers, Heat, Bucks, and Celtics in their last four games. Much of their success, of course, is due to budding superstar Donovan Mitchell, who has his fair share of both believers and skeptics. So, are Mitchell and the Jazz for real this season? And do they have what it takes to win a championship? The Athletic's Tony Jones, who covers the team up close, joins us to discuss.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected