The Lead

Hockey fans are used to Connor McDavid being the undisputed best player in hockey. But this past season, he somehow took things to an even higher level, doing things that haven't been done since the 1980s. Today, how McDavid’s evolution off the ice has helped him reach new heights on it -- and how his growth can be traced, at least in part, to a six-year-old boy. Plus, what stands between McDavid and a highly coveted first Stanley Cup.

Guest: Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic

Read Daniel's original story here

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Plus: Steph Curry manages to avoid his own Chris Webber moment. And after more than decade, a career minor leaguer finally gets to The Show.

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So far this season, the Seattle Mariners have been getting big production from a former top prospect who roams their outfield. But if you're thinking of reigning AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez — think again. The guy who's been stealing the spotlight in Seattle so far is Jarred Kelenic. The 23-year-old came to Seattle in a blockbuster trade five years ago, but up until now, he has looked like a bust at the big league level. Today, we dig into the reasons behind Kelenic’s rapid rise, and whether this early season surge is for real.

Guest: Corey Brock, The Athletic

Read his stories on Kelenic here and here

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Alyssa Thompson's incredible soccer talent has already made her look like a future global star, even though she's just 18 years old. And her path to greatness, which included becoming the first girl to play on an MLS Next boys academy team (along with her sister, Giselle), has changed minds -- and the way that youth soccer clubs operate.

Guest: Gwen Oxenham

Read Gwen's full story about Alyssa Thompson in Sports Illustrated here

Check out Gwen's new book, Pride Of A Nation and her podcast, Hustle Rule

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Plus: Two of hockey’s greatest rivals produce another in epic championship final. And A Yankees ace continues his electric start.

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When the NBA playoffs get underway on Saturday, basketball fans will be witnessing history, as the Golden State Warriors are playing the Sacramento Kings in the postseason for the first time ever. These two teams famously share the same highway — the I-80 — but they took very different roads to get here. The Kings emerged as an offensive juggernaut under their defensive-minded head coach, Mike Brown, while the reigning NBA champs, the Warriors, had to fight just to avoid the play-in tournament. Today, we break down the key factors that could decide the series, including De’Aaron Fox’s knack for thriving in the clutch, and just how ready Andrew Wiggins will be after a long layoff for Golden State.

Guest: Anthony Slater, The Athletic

Read his full series preview here

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There was a time when it looked like China was going to be the next big thing in world soccer. After the government published an elaborate 50-point plan back in 2015, billions of dollars was spent developing China's professional league, building youth soccer academies across the country, and recruiting foreign stars to China for huge sums of money. But now, that ambitious program is all but dead. Today we discuss the rise and fall of China's oversized soccer dream.

Guest: Tariq Panja, The New York Times

Read Tariq's full story here

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Plus: The Timberwolves get punch drunk on the final day of the NBA season. And a baseball team manages to give up a crooked number while not allowing a hit.

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LeBron James's final wish as an NBA player is to suit up with his son LeBron James Jr, a.k.a. Bronny. When he made that intention clear last year, it was just the latest development in the incredibly well-documented basketball life of the 18-year-old Bronny, who has amassed a huge following of supporters, doubters, and people questioning what his dad is doing. Luca Evans, a reporter with the LA Times, recently spent months following Bronny’s high school basketball team, Sierra Canyon. Today, he shares stories from the young star’s senior season, discusses how Bronny has managed the incredible expectations around him, and explains who he really is as a basketball player.

Guest: Luca Evans, Los Angeles Times

Read Luca's full story about Bronny here.

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