The Lead

To close out 2021, we're replaying our 10 best episodes of the year. At #9 we have 'The Brian Snitker Story Begins And Ends With Loyalty.' The Athletic's David O'Brien joined us to discuss Braves manager Brian Snitker and how he guided Atlanta to an elusive World Series title.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To close out 2021, we're replaying our 10 best episodes of the year. At #10 we have 'Why The NBA Hates, And Loves, The Ben Simmons Saga.' The Athletic's Sam Amick joined us back in October to discuss the drama around Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, and why his situation is so fraught.Read Sam Amick's story on Ben Simmons here:https://theathletic.com/2854156/2021/09/28/ben-simmons-believes-playing-with-joel-embiid-has-run-its-course-and-sixers-media-day-messages-fall-flat-with-him/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2021 is coming to a close. So, today, we are sharing five sports stories that brought a little happiness to another difficult year. From an epic championship celebration in Milwaukee to the year's most delightful hockey announcer, these stories will hopefully bring a smile to your face as we head into 2022.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Denver on Sunday, the Broncos lined up for their opening series with just 10 men on the field, a tribute to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who died last week at age 33. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones and Nick Kosmider to look at Thomas’s improbable rise to the NFL, his Hall Of Fame-caliber career in Denver, and the personality that so many people won’t forget. Follow Lindsay Jones’s coverage of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/lindsay-jones/?source=theleadpodcast Follow Nick Kosmider’s coverage of the Broncos: https://theathletic.com/author/nick-kosmider/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York City FC won its first MLS Cup on Saturday, defeating the Portland Timbers inside a packed (and sopping wet) stadium in Portland. And while the game was quite a spectacle, with fans lining up for seats almost a WEEK in advance, the game itself was somewhat reflective of Major League Soccer -- lots of excitement, lots of fan support, but not the best on-field product. The Athletic's Sam Stejskal joins us today to talk about the game, NYCFC's recent transformation, and to explain why, after 26 season and a lot of financial investment, MLS is still not offering the best product and is till not able to compete with the best leagues in the world.More from Sam Stejskal:https://theathletic.com/author/sam-stejskal/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Ja Morant went down in late November with a scary looking knee injury, it seemed like the Grizzlies season could be headed into a tailspin. Then, in the absence of their star, Memphis transformed into one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Today The Athletic's Joe Vardon tells us how a combination of drinking water, hibernation, and a strong defensive road map have propelled the Grizz to the top of the Western Conference. Read Joe Vardon's Grizzlies story: https://theathletic.com/3008599/2021/12/10/a-hibernating-bear-drinking-water-and-corny-road-maps-how-the-grizzlies-are-thriving-without-ja-morant/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Early on this season, the Los Angeles Rams looked like a juggernaut, with Matthew Stafford leading them to a 7-1 start, and gaining some momentum as a contender for MVP. Then, the Rams lost three in a row, suddenly raising a lot of questions about just how good this team is. Ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, we check in with The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue to look at how three high-profile additions for L.A. (Stafford, Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr.) are working out, and whether this team has what it takes to become a Super Bowl contender. Follow Jourdan Rodrigue’s coverage of the Rams: https://theathletic.com/author/jourdan-rodrigue/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before their dramatic loss to Rutgers on Thursday night, the Purdue Boilermakers became the top team in men's college basketball for the first time in school history. Yet, after a stunning early exit last year from the tournament las year and losses like they suffered on Thursday night, questions remain over whether this team is really a legitimate National Championship contender. Today, The Athletic's Brian Hamilton tell us about the weekend he spent embedded with the team and why this Purdue squad could have what it takes to make a Final Four for the first time in more than forty years.Read Brian Hamilton's story about his weekend with Purdue: https://theathletic.com/2970015/2021/11/22/is-purdue-for-real-a-weekend-behind-the-scenes-with-one-of-college-basketballs-hungriest-teams/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Cincinnati Bearcats made football history this week by becoming the first non-Power Five team to make the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. But what makes their accomplishment even more remarkable is the fact that the program was in shambles just five years ago, and was basically irrelevant for much of its existence. Reporter Justin Williams, who covers Cincinnati for The Athletic, joins us today to explain how the program went from rock bottom to contending for a national championship in such a short period of time -- thanks in large part to one man and a healthy dose of Midwestern grit.Read Justin Williams' story about the rise of Cincinnati football:https://theathletic.com/2999716/2021/12/06/how-cincinnati-football-went-from-rock-bottom-to-the-college-football-playoff/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This past Sunday in Las Vegas, the Washington Football Team found itself in another closely-contested game, and found a way to beat the Raiders for their fourth straight win. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Ben Standig to look at how this team has turned things around after a hopeless 2-6 start, the impact of quarterback Taylor Heinicke and head coach Ron Rivera, and what to expect in a big NFC East showdown against the Cowboys this weekend. Plus, the story behind the team’s rock-throwing ritual in the locker room after wins.  Read Ben Standig’s story about the Washington Football Team’s turnaround: https://theathletic.com/3000033/2021/12/05/washington-football-team-channels-just-win-baby-spirit-in-edging-raiders-and-four-game-win-streak/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.