The Lead

On Sunday, the Houston Texans finally picked up their first win of the season at the end of a chaotic week for the team, after they fired their head coach and general manager, Bill O’Brien. Today, we’re rebroadcasting an episode that originally aired back in May, with The Athletic’s Aaron Reiss joining us to look at how O’Brien ended up in such a rare position of power, and some of the controversial decisions that may have led to his firing. Follow Aaron Reiss’s coverage of the Texans: https://theathletic.com/author/aaron-reiss/?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 Dodgers' long-time closer, Kenley Jansen, has been struggling lately, including a particularly rough outing against the Padres on Wednesday night. It's the latest in a long series of challenges the 33 year-old veteran has faced, including heart issues, an aging arm, and his entire family getting infected with the coronavirus. The Athletic's Pedro Moura joins us to break down what the beloved reliever has been dealing with on and off the field, how his role within the team has shifted, and what all of this could mean for his legacy.More from Pedro Moura:https://theathletic.com/2102729/2020/09/30/kenley-jansen-dodgers-2020-mlb-postseason/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy Butler has put together some phenomenal performances during this year’s NBA Playoffs, including a 40-point triple-double to give the Heat a win over LeBron James and the Lakers in Game 3. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s CJ Moore, who recently learned about how Butler honed his competitive edge during his college days at Marquette, and became a legend of sorts on campus, wearing everything from cowboy boots to animal onesies to a Hannah Montana backpack. Read CJ Moore’s story about Jimmy Butler’s time at Marquette: https://theathletic.com/2107706/2020/10/05/hannah-montana-country-music-and-a-bunny-suit-jimmy-butlers-college-days/?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 Seattle Storm won their fourth WNBA championship on Tuesday night. And leading the way, once again, was 11-time all-star Sue Bird. The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings interviewed Bird earlier this season, and she joins us to discuss the timeless point guard’s remarkable resiliency, how she has guided the Storm to yet another championship, and why the superstar seems to keep getting better with age. More from Chantel Jennings:https://theathletic.com/author/chantel-jennings/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Quinton Byfield is expected to be selected with the second or third pick in Tuesday night's NHL draft. Scouts have been raving about the 18-year-old's incredible size and speed for years now, and he is expected to give a major boost to whichever team selects him. But, in addition to all the pressure of being considered a franchise player, the teen also faces the pressure of becoming the highest drafted Black player in NHL history. The Athletic's Ryan Clark joins us to talk about the challenges and opportunities facing Byfield as he enters the NHL at an historic moment, why he's well equipped to handle the obstacles, and how players around the league are already stepping up to support him.More from Ryan Clark:https://theathletic.com/author/ryan-s-clark/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The season started off in promising fashion for the Las Vegas Raiders, who were 2-0 after a win over the Saints at their new stadium. Now, Jon Gruden’s team has lost two straight, and has been under scrutiny for some of their behavior off the field, including a fundraiser where a number of players were seen not wearing masks. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Tashan Reed to discuss the missteps off the field for the Raiders, the team’s tumultuous first four games, and where Gruden and Las Vegas go from here. Follow Tashan Reed’s coverage of the Raiders: https://theathletic.com/author/tashan-reed/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brenden and Colin Schooler were supposed to be playing college football together at the University of Arizona this fall. But then COVID-19 arrived and turned the world upside down. The Athletic's Max Olson has the story of how the Schooler brothers ended up as opponents rather than teammates, and as mercenaries rather than Wildcats -- and why they say it's all worth it.Read Max Olson's story about the Schooler Brothers:https://theathletic.com/2089694/2020/09/24/colin-brenden-schooler-texas-texas-tech-transfer/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many people were shocked when Frank Vogel eventually became the Lakers' new head coach last year. They said he wasn't a splashy enough signing for the bright lights of Los Angeles, and he wasn't able to coach in the modern game. The Athletic's Anthony Slater joins us to explain how Vogel has proven many of his doubters wrong, why he is such a good fit for the star-studded team, and how he has quietly helped guide the Lakers to the NBA Finals in his first year at the helm.Read Anthony Slater's story about Frank Vogel:https://theathletic.com/2095538/2020/09/27/frank-vogel-the-underappreciated-component-of-the-lakers-success/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Atlanta Braves begin the playoffs on Wednesday as the number two seed in the National League, and their longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman has had a huge role in their success. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David O’Brien to look at Freeman’s remarkable 2020 season, and how he put together an MVP-caliber campaign after a scary bout with Covid-19. Follow David O’Brien’s coverage of the Braves: https://theathletic.com/author/david-obrien/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brayden Point fired home the winning goal in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Monday night, helping the Tampa Bay Lightning hoist the trophy for the first time since 2004. It's the latest in a remarkable set of accomplishments for the talented center, who is now widely regarded as one of the very best players in the league. The Athletic's Joe Smith recently dove into the reticent Point's past, speaking to family members and former teammates and coaches, and he joins us to tell the story of Point's journey from skinny Calgary kid who many doubted to Stanley Cup champion.Read Joe Smith's profile of Brayden Point:https://theathletic.com/2052654/2020/09/09/brayden-point-unmasked-the-making-of-the-lightnings-humble-star/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.