The Lead

Three years ago, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was one of the most prized prospects in all of baseball. His plate discipline, raw power, and notable lineage led everyone to believe he was destined for stardom at the major league level. Now after facing some adversity during his first two seasons as a pro, Guerrero is living up to the billing. The 22-year-old first baseman is leading the American League is just about every offensive category and he's also become a surprisingly limber defensive player. The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath joins the show to talk about Guerrero's breakout campaign and whether he can sustain this level of play going forward.You can read Kaitlyn McGrath's story about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. here: https://theathletic.com/2527434/2021/04/19/vladimir-guerrero-jr-s-hot-start-has-him-looking-like-the-elite-hitter-the-blue-jays-knew-he-could-be/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re a few weeks into the WNBA’s 25th season, and already it’s been filled with signature moments from star players, including Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty recording just the ninth triple-double in league history. Today, The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings on some of the most notable early-season story lines, including one contender (the Chicago Sky) that has struggled early with Candace Parker injured. Plus, a coaching shakeup for the defending champs, the Seattle Storm, and a fast start for the Atlanta Dream, a team powered by windmills (sort of).  Follow Chantel Jennings’s coverage of the WNBA: https://theathletic.com/author/chantel-jennings/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Wednesday, the college basketball world received some surprising news with reports that Mike Krzyzewski is planning to retire at the end of next season after four decades as the head coach of Duke men’s basketball. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Brendan Marks to look at the factors behind Coach K’s decision, and what to expect during the legendary coach's farewell season. Read Shams Charania, Seth Davis and Brendan Marks’s story about Mike Krzyzewski’s plans to retire: https://theathletic.com/2583383/2021/06/02/coach-k-plans-to-retire-after-season-inside-the-factors-for-the-decision-and-dukes-plans-for-their-next-head-coach/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tuesday night, the Brooklyn Nets — led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and a huge game from James Harden — knocked out the Boston Celtics for the team’s first playoff series win in seven years. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer to look at one key component of Brooklyn's success — the mind of Harden — and why that basketball brain could be the driving force for a Nets title run.Read Alex Schiffer’s story about James Harden’s basketball mind: https://theathletic.com/2597501/2021/05/20/inside-james-hardens-beautiful-mind-the-tool-that-could-lead-the-former-mvp-and-the-nets-to-an-nba-title/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During this year's NHL playoffs, a lot of people had been rooting for veteran Toronto Maple Leafs forward (and noted nice guy) Joe Thornton. At age 41, the former #1 overall pick had been striving to win the first Stanley Cup of his long and storied career before the Leafs were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. But what many people don’t know is that, for years, Thornton maintained a close relationship with a transcendent Canadian rock star: the late lead singer of The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie. Josh Kloke first broke the details of their unlikely friendship, and he joins us today to explain how the hockey superstar and the rock and roll icon saw similarities in their respective art forms and drew inspiration from one another right up until the end of Downie's life.Read Joshua Kloke's story about Joe Thornton and Gord Downie:https://theathletic.com/2542210/2021/04/28/joe-thornton-and-gord-downie-inside-a-friendship-that-changed-a-hockey-star-and-inspired-a-music-legend/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most fascinating matchups in the first round of the NBA Playoffs has been the Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers -- a rematch of last year's battle in the NBA bubble. Today, we're rebroadcasting an episode that originally aired back in late March. The Athletic's Tim Cato joined us to talk about the Mavericks' roller coaster of a season, why they've experienced such highs and lows, and how dangerous this team could be come playoff time.More from Tim Cato: https://theathletic.com/author/tim-cato/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Manchester City will be the favorites when they take on Chelsea in the Champions League Final on Saturday in Portugal. And while City's march to the final now feels almost inevitable, especially on the heels of yet another Premier League title, it's easy forget that this team was floundering in the middle of the pack just six months ago. The Athletic's Sam Lee joins us today to explain how the team turned their season around, thanks in large part to three key players, and what another Champions League title would mean for manager Pep Guardiola's legacy.More from Sam Lee:https://theathletic.com/2555687/2021/05/11/slower-attacks-and-a-code-of-honour-inside-story-of-how-guardiolas-manchester-city-took-back-control-of-english-football/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are at the start of a brand new chapter, with a new head coach in Urban Meyer and a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. But right now, a lot of the talk in Jacksonville is centered around a former quarterback-turned-tight end: Tim Tebow. Today, The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones joins us to discuss why the Jags are trying to bring back Tebow now — at age 33 — and what this polarizing experiment might say about the Urban Meyer regime. Read Lindsay Jones’s story about Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer: https://theathletic.com/2603123/2021/05/20/jones-tim-tebows-and-urban-meyers-egos-collide-in-a-large-jaguars-misstep/?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 Vegas Golden Knights are one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year, and that's thanks in part to their 36 year-old goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury. The 3-time Stanley Cup Champion has been red-hot for the Knights so far this post-season after putting up the best numbers of his career during the regular season, despite questions about his age and longevity coming into the year. The Athletic's Jesse Granger joins us to break down what makes Fleury so special in goal and why some of the greatest goalies of all time believe Fleury is the most exciting netminder in the game today.Read Jesse Granger's recent story about Marc-Andre Fleury:https://theathletic.com/2559791/2021/05/13/vegas-marc-andre-fleury-better-than-ever-at-36-celebrates-joining-his-idols-in-nhl-record-books/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Phoenix Suns had the second best record in the NBA's Western Conference and a huge reason why was the play of their 36-year-old point guard, Chris Paul. The Suns acquired the surefire Hall of Famer this offseason and he has repaid them handsomely with MVP-caliber play this season. The Athletic's Sam Amick recently spoke with CP3 about why Phoenix was the perfect place for him to call home this season and whether the Suns have what it takes to make a run at a title and fill the only hole remaining on Paul's resume.Read Sam Amick's story about Chris Paul here: https://theathletic.com/2535983/2021/04/23/chris-paul-lets-us-in-on-how-hes-still-balling-for-the-suns-and-why-you-just-dont-know-him-if-you-are-surprised-by-it/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.