ESPN Daily

The Tokyo Games has already seen several upsets, but none more surprising than Simone Biles’ stumble on the vault and then her withdrawal from the team gymnastics final. Despite initial speculation of an injury, Biles said she stepped away out of concern for her mental health and whether her performance might hurt the team’s chances. ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk explains the lead up and the day of Biles’ withdrawal, what it means for the rest of the gymnastics competition at the Olympics, and beyond. Then Pablo shares what Hidilyn Diaz becoming the first Olympic gold medalist for the Philippines means to him.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Rodgers is inching toward a new deal with his Green Bay Packers right when NFL players report to training camps. With the season just around the corner, other situations also remain in question - like Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans. Investigations of sexual assault allegations against Watson are ongoing. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell gets us up to speed, and clears the air surrounding lingering COVID-19 vaccine questions. Then, Ashley Brewer gives us an update on Katie Ledecky’s quest to become the most decorated female Olympian of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the Tokyo Games, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team has found itself in an unfamiliar position: second place after the first qualifying event. Poised to help bring the team back to the top is 18-year-old phenom Sunisa Lee, second in the world to Simone Biles. Lee has balanced the weight of family tragedy — and the pride of being the first Olympian of Hmong ethnicity — all the way to Japan. ESPN’s Alyssa Roenigk charts Sunisa’s path to gold so far, and the uneven, high-stakes road ahead. Then, Brian Windhorst updates us on men’s basketball, after Team USA’s loss to France, and why we might see more L’s ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You’ll find several “Jalens” in the 2021 NBA draft this week. And that's on top of all the "Jalens" in the 2021 NFL draft. From Jalen Suggs to Jalen Green to Jalen Johnson, the announcement of the picks will have you hearing the name ... a lot. For years our colleague, friend and basketball veteran Jalen Rose has maintained today’s Jalens are named for him (whether they know it or not). In one of our favorite-ever episodes, we honor Jalen Rose’s mother, the recently passed Jeanne Rose, by exploring the history and mystery of his name in sports and beyond. With data, experts, and extensive interviews, the Jalen paradox is solved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tokyo Olympics begin today, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is on the ground set to cover Team USA Basketball in its first Olympic matchup this weekend. After surprising exhibition losses and last-minute roster changes due to COVID-19, Windhorst shares how the men’s team will fare in Tokyo. Hear how the game differs on the world stage, which teams pose the biggest threat, and why the era of “Dream Team” dominance may be coming to an end.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are here, one year late, and much to the dismay of many in Japan. The Tokyo Games will be unlike any other in Olympic history. Fans will not be allowed in any of the arenas. Athletes, officials and media are required to remain in the Olympic “bubble” and stay separated from the general public. And the Olympic Village, which typically serves as a giant party for the athletes, promises to be much more subdued. All of it, of course, is to hopefully keep the coronavirus from spiking, and possibly forcing the Games to be halted. Pablo caught up with ESPN producer, Tony Florkowski, who is getting ready to work his 14th Olympic Games, and is currently quarantined in his hotel room. Then, Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times helps us understand how the people of Japan are reacting to these Olympics set to begin under a state of emergency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bucks are NBA Champions! Pablo reacts to the win in Milwaukee and why a title takes skill, not luck. Then, Layshia Clarendon is a WNBA all-star now with the Minnesota Lynx, parent to an infant, activist off the court, and they’re the first openly nonbinary and transgender player in the league. ESPN’s Katie Barnes shares their story, from how faith impacted Clarendon’s upbringing to the complex road to self-discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight the Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to close out the NBA Finals on their home floor and secure their first championship in 50 years. Standing in their way is future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and his squad of young guns on the Suns, desperate to send the series back to Phoenix for a seventh game. ESPN’s Malika Andrews has been on the sidelines throughout the NBA playoffs, and previews this crucial matchup. Then, comedian Wyatt Cenac gives his take on why Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are not Batman and Robin, and wouldn’t want to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ryan Fitzpatrick has 22 helmets in his Zoom background...and that just makes sense. The veteran quarterback has been in the NFL since 2005, as both a star and a journeyman in a career that’s spanned many teams and cities. And it wasn’t a given in college at Harvard that he’d even go pro at all. Pablo Torre has known “Fitzmagic” since those days, and talks lessons on the field and off with the 2021 starting QB for the Washington Football Team, including how he’s managed to stay off of social media all this time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been 11 years since NBA veteran Lorenzen Wright was murdered, his body found in a remote field in Memphis. Wright’s twin sons, Lamar and Shamar were 10 years old when their father was killed. Now, Shamar and Lamar are finally ready to share their perspective on their father, his murder, and the accusations against their mother, Sherra. Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of her husband in 2019, but now, in a rare interview from prison, she proclaims her innocence. Through the loss of their father, the arrest of their mother, Lamar and Shamar Wright have somehow pushed on, and are now playing college basketball together. Our own Lisa Salters recounts this story of loss and basketball, which accompanies an E:60 special A Murder in Memphis available on demand now on the ESPN app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices