The Lead

The Las Vegas Raiders raised some eyebrows with their first pick in this year's NFL draft, taking Henry Ruggs with the 12th pick, ahead of more high-profile wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb. The Athletic’s Tashan Reed spoke with Ruggs about his life and football career, and joins us to explain what drives him and how the electric playmaker overcame doubters and tragedy to make it to the NFL.Read Tashan Reed's profile of Henry Ruggs: https://theathletic.com/1978611/2020/08/06/henry-ruggs-knows-the-raiders-made-a-great-choice-now-hes-out-to-prove-it/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court on Wednesday for their playoff game against the Orlando Magic as an act of protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Two more games were later canceled, and the Clippers and Lakers have reportedly voted in favor of ending the season. The Athletic's Michael Lee joins us to explain how the historic day's events unfolded, what all of it means for the remainder of the NBA playoffs, and why players and coaches in the bubble have been carrying such a heavy burden.More from Michael Lee:https://theathletic.com/author/michael-lee/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The one award in all of sports that seemed like a lock this year was the WNBA's Rookie of the Year. But with rookie sensation Sabrina Ionescu out with an ankle injury, the door is now wide open. The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings joins us to talk about two first year players -- Crystal Dangerfield and Julie Allemand -- who have been stepping up in a big way and making a case for the honor.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.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic put in a performance for the ages on Sunday. After injuring his ankle two days earlier, the 21-year-old wrapped up the ankle and put his team on his back, and won the game on a series of clutch shots in overtime. The Athletic's Tim Cato, who has closely chronicled Doncic's career, joins us to explain why no one should have been surprised by the superlative performance, and why it's okay to start comparing Luka to some all-time greats.More from Tim Cato: https://theathletic.com/author/tim-cato/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The San Diego Padres hit a staggering total of five grand slams last week, and one of them — from Fernando Tatis Jr. — sparked a controversy. Today, we’re joined by Doug Glanville — former big league outfielder and co-host of the Starkville podcast — to discuss whether Tatis was in the wrong for breaking one of baseball’s unwritten rules, and whether those rules have finally reached a tipping point. Follow Doug Glanville’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/doug-glanville/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thomas Muller is one of the best soccer players in the world -- and also one of the strangest. The Athletic's Raphael Honigstein recently watched him play live in an empty stadium in London and noticed something that changed his understanding of the German star and his outsized influence on games. Raphael joins us to discuss Muller's unusual style and why he could be the key to a Bayern Munich Champions League victory on Sunday. Read Raphael Honigstein's story about Thomas Muller: https://theathletic.com/1996418/2020/08/15/thomas-muller-bayern-munich-champions-league/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tuesday night, Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers continued their remarkable run at Disney World, defeating LeBron James and the Lakers in their playoff opener. With Game 2 coming up tonight, The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson — who recently spoke to Lilllard — joins us to talk about the Portland point guard’s incredible performance, and how growing up in Oakland gave him the mindset to thrive inside of the NBA bubble. Read Marcus Thompson’s story about Damian Lillard: https://theathletic.com/2005361/2020/08/18/thompson-why-damian-lillard-was-so-ready-to-bubble/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite being a Hart Trophy finalist, a former first overall pick, and the best player on one of the top teams in the NHL, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has remained a relatively unknown superstar. The Athletic's Ryan Clark joins us to talk about why that's the case, how MacKinnon has overcome challenges on his path to greatness, and why, with so many stars bowing out of the 2020 playoffs, this is his moment.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.

So far in the 2020 MLB season, very few players — if any — have been more electric than Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. Today, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin joins us to explain why the 21-year-old is already drawing favorable comparisons to the best players in the game (including Mike Trout), and why he’s well-equipped to handle everything that comes with his ascent toward superstardom. Read Dennis Lin’s story about Fernando Tatis Jr.: https://theathletic.com/1997841/2020/08/17/why-did-god-make-you-fernando-tatis-jr-is-showing-the-signs-of-superstardom/?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 NBA Playoffs get underway today at Disney World, and one of the favorites to win the whole thing — LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers — have not looked dominant in the bubble. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Bill Oram to discuss the Lakers’ uneven play in Orlando, whether they’re ready to flip the switch and make a run, and why the supremely confident Kyle Kuzma could be their X factor. Read Bill Oram’s story about the Lakers and Kyle Kuzma: https://theathletic.com/1988523/2020/08/11/the-divine-confidence-of-kyle-kuzma-and-the-quote-that-delivers-us-from-evil/?source=theathleticpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.