The Lead

Lamar Jackson took the field on Sunday for the first time since the Ravens' shocking playoff exit last season, and the unanimous league MVP showed signs that he might have gotten even better. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec joins us to discuss how Lamar has rebounded, physically and mentally, from that tough loss, and why he might be even more dangerous to opponents this fall. Jeff Zrebiec's analysis of Lamar Jackson's performance:https://theathletic.com/2063854/2020/09/13/with-less-flash-lamar-jackson-every-bit-as-impressive-in-ravens-dominating-win/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Las Vegas Golden Knights have been cruising through the playoffs with a somewhat unexpected goaltender: Robin Lehner, who has taken over for franchise netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. Lehner's current playoff tear is the latest in a remarkable journey for the talented Swede, who opened up about his struggles with addiction and mental health issues in an article on The Athletic two years ago. Katie Strang, who interviewed Lehner for a video documentary on The Athletic, joins us to discuss how the netminder overcame what he calls the demons in his mind, and what his success means for other athletes with mental illness.Watch a video about Robin Lehner, from Katie Strang and Producer Adam Berger:https://theathletic.com/video/26-lehner/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2020 NFL season gets underway Thursday night with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Houston Texans, and that means the much-anticipated debut of former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Today, The Athletic’s Nate Taylor joins us to discuss what Andy Reid and the Chiefs see in the rookie, why Patrick Mahomes went out of his way to get him on the team, and whether the dynamic running back is ready to live up to KC’s expectations. Follow Nate Taylor’s coverage of the Kansas City Chiefs: https://theathletic.com/author/nate-taylor/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two thirds of the way into baseball’s 60-game season, the New York Yankees have reached a critical juncture of their season, as they’re fighting to stay in the playoff chase, and facing off against one of the teams ahead of them in the standings: the Toronto Blue Jays. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler to discuss everything that’s gone wrong for the Bronx Bombers in 2020, why we’ve seen such a dramatic shift in power in the AL East, and whether Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and the Yankees still have time to start looking like a contender.Follow Lindsey Adler’s coverage of the Yankees: https://theathletic.com/author/lindsey-adler/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After months of questions, skepticism, and the NFL insisting it will start its season on time, the league is set to...start its season on time. The Athletic’s Robert Mays joins us to talk about how the NFL has navigated the treacherous waters of the pandemic, what will be unusual about this year's season on the field, and why the NFL's future is in good hands, thanks to a crop of amazingly talented young quarterbacks.More from Robert Mays and The Athletic Football Show:https://theathletic.com/podcast/211-the-athletic-football-show/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson passed away this week, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. He built the Hoya program from the ground up by recruiting local talent, often from neighborhoods where many people would never have considered attending Georgetown. The Athletic's David Aldridge covered Thompson and the Hoyas when he first became a sports reporter, and he joins us to talk about the iconic coach's influence and legacy, the complicated political climate in which he operated, and what he meant to his hometown of Washington D.C.Read David Aldridge's tribute to John Thompson:https://theathletic.com/2033809/2020/08/31/profane-after-midnight-laughs-and-lessons-from-the-one-and-only-john-thompson/?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, Jamal Murray helped the Nuggets finish off a remarkable comeback against the Utah Jazz, climbing back from a 3-1 deficit in the series to move on to the Western Conference Semifinals. With Game 1 against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers coming up tonight, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Kendra Andrews to discuss whether Murray — inconsistent throughout the early part of his career — has finally arrived as a bona fide star.  Follow Kendra Andrews’s coverage of the Denver Nuggets: https://theathletic.com/author/kendra-andrews/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last Week, Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito pulled off something no other pitcher has done in 2020 when he threw a no-hitter against the Pirates. Today, The Athletic’s James Fegan joins us to discuss Giolito’s early days as a baseball prodigy in Los Angeles, his rise and fall as a top prospect for the Washington Nationals, and how he went from one of the worst pitchers in baseball in 2018 to the White Sox ace. Read James Fegan’s story about Lucas Giolito: https://theathletic.com/2023401/2020/08/26/white-sox-lucas-giolitos-transformation-grows-more-incredible-with-a-no-hitter/?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 Tampa Bay Lightning have eliminated the regular season's best team, the Boston Bruins, from the NHL playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. And, despite having a hefty amount of star power, the Lightning have been getting a major boost from role players. The Athletic’s Joe Smith explains how some of the team's recent signings have helped transform the perennial underachievers into Stanley Cup contenders and shifted the team's personality along the way.More from Joe Smith:https://theathletic.com/author/joe-smith/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight, the Miami Heat take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and Miami has gotten a big lift so far from two veteran stars: Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic. Today, The Athletic’s Manny Navarro joins us to discuss the friendship that has formed between Butler and Dragic — over soccer, beer and extreme competitiveness — and how it’s been translating to victories inside the NBA bubble. Read Manny Navarro’s story about Butler and Dragic: https://theathletic.com/2012818/2020/08/21/why-there-may-be-no-stopping-playoff-jimmy-miami-heat-in-round-1/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.