The Lead

The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the best regular season teams in the NBA over the past two seasons, but that success hasn't really translated to the playoffs. To try and improve their fortunes in the postseason the team acquired guard Jrue Holiday this offseason in a blockbuster trade. Today we're joined by The Athletic's Eric Nehm who fills us in on how the Holiday experiment has been working out and whether or not the move will help propel them past the likes of Brooklyn and Philadelphia and into the NBA Finals.You can read Eric Nehm's Milwaukee Bucks coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/eric-nehm/Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/theleadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Wilson is a feared man. The Washington Capitals winger has served multiple suspensions during his NHL career and is considered by many to be the most reckless and dangerous hockey player in the entire NHL (while also being a very good player). And all of that is why the hockey world was thrown into turmoil this week after Wilson made two very dangerous plays in a game against the New York Rangers, one of which could have ended in a severe -- perhaps even fatal -- injury to Rangers star Artemi Panarin. The Athletic's Sean Gentille, who has followed Wilson's career closely over the years, joins us to discuss why the incident created such an uproar, who within the NHL is now coming under fire, and why Wilson's behavior is unlikely to change any time soon.Read Sean Gentille's story about Tom Wilson:https://theathletic.com/2566394/2021/05/04/like-him-or-hate-him-tom-wilson-knows-what-the-nhl-wants-and-how-to-get-away-with-it/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the last week, the focus of the football world was supposed to be on the NFL Draft. Instead, all eyes have been on the league’s reigning MVP, Aaron Rodgers. Today, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman on how things have unfolded since Rodgers dropped the news that he no longer wants to be in Green Bay, the many things he’s been up to this offseason (including hosting Jeopardy!, and his engagement to Shailene Woodley), and what the superstar quarterback ultimately wants. Follow Matt Schneidman’s coverage of the Aaron Rodgers saga: https://theathletic.com/author/matt-schneidman/?source=theleadpodcast Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/theleadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Washington Wizards have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA recently, and have been making a big push toward the playoffs. And while some long-suffering fans are thrilled about the prospect of playoff hoops returning to Washington D.C., others feel the team is shooting itself in the foot by eliminating their chances at a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. The Athletic's David Aldridge, who has covered the team for many seasons, joins us to break down both sides of the divide, and discusses what the best strategy is for the team moving forward.Read David Aldridge's recent story about the Wizards:https://theathletic.com/2527005/2021/04/19/aldridge-the-wizards-are-back-in-the-playoff-race-but-do-the-means-justify-the-ends/Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/theleadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Champion's League semifinal match between Paris St. Germain and Manchester City, one player in particular will be heavily scrutinized and critiqued -- PSG's Brazilian superstar, Neymar. For years, he has dazzled the soccer world with his incredible skills, and simultaneously enraged many fans and opponents with his over-the-top antics. The Athletic's Jack Lang, who has written extensively about Brazilian soccer, joins us today to talk about how Neymar became one of the most polarizing players in history, what's at stake for him in today's highly anticipated match, and why much of the hatred directed toward Neymar -- particularly from British soccer fans -- is misguided.Read Jack Lang's story about why you might want to rethink the way you feel about Neymar:https://theathletic.com/2518636/2021/04/14/seriously-what-is-it-that-makes-you-hate-neymar/Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/theleadSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2021 NFL Draft is officially behind us, and over the course of three days in Cleveland, we saw the expected (Trevor Lawrence to the Jags), the unexpected (the Bears trading up to get Justin Fields) and the confusing (the Raiders). Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia, who hands out his letter grades for some of the best, worst and strangest moves from the 2021 NFL Draft — and to offer his perspective on the ongoing Aaron Rodgers-Packers saga. Follow Sheil Kapadia’s coverage of the NFL: https://theathletic.com/author/sheil-kapadia/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2021 NFL Draft started out as everyone expected, with Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson going first and second overall to the Jaguars and Jets. From there, things got interesting. Today, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue joins us to break down the biggest and most surprising moments of the night, including the 49ers choosing Trey Lance, the Bears’ bold trade up for Justin Fields, the Bengals reuniting Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, and the Patriots landing Alabama QB Mac Jones.Follow Jourdan Rodrigue’s coverage of the Rams: https://theathletic.com/author/jourdan-rodrigue/?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 NFL Draft always brings intense speculation, insight and analysis. But it also brings some of the most emotional moments in sports -- moments when players and their families realize a lifelong dream and see their futures transformed in a single moment. Today, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner brings us the story of Western Michigan wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge, a converted track star who has followed an unlikely path from a small town in Mississippi to the NFL Draft, and the remarkable sacrifices and support his family found along the way.Read Nick Baumgardner's story:https://theathletic.com/2529614/2021/04/23/dwayne-eskridges-nfl-draft-dream-became-reality-thanks-to-his-village-i-dont-do-anything-alone/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just three years ago, the Carolina Hurricanes were in the midst of a decade-long NHL playoff drought. Today, they have the best record in the league and have already clinched a playoff berth. Along the way, the team captured the hearts and minds (and in some cases, the ire) of the hockey world with their elaborate 'Storm Surge' celebrations. Sara Civian, who covers the 'Canes for The Athletic, joins us today to explain how those celebrations, along with new leadership and a whole lot of resilience, have transformed the Hurricanes into a true Stanley Cup contender.More from Sara Civian: https://theathletic.com/author/sara-civian/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Curry put up historic numbers in April and almost single-handedly dragged this Warriors team into playoff contention. The two-time MVP has made a strong case for a third trophy, and silenced many of his critics in the process. Today, The Athletic's Zach Harper joins us to talk about Curry's incredible performances over the past few weeks and to break down the rest of the NBA's Western Conference playoff picture.Read all of Zach Harper's NBA coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/zach-harper/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.