The Lead

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=theleadpodcast

See 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=theleadpodcast

See 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=theleadpodcast

See 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=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many Seattle Seahawks fans have been frustrated for years over Russell Wilson not being allowed to throw the football as much as they would like. But now, thanks in part to a tweet that became a meme, which in turn became a movement, Russ is airing it out and he and the Seahawks are cooking. The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar joins us to tell the story of a frustrated fan who used social media to help change the way his beloved football team plays.

Read Michael-Shawn Dugar's story about #LetRussCook:

https://theathletic.com/2089335/2020/09/24/a-history-of-let-russ-cook-the-meme-that-may-have-saved-the-seahawks/?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 Dallas Stars have made a somewhat unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Finals under interim head coach Rick Bowness, who took the helm in December after Jim Montgomery was fired for unprofessional conduct. It's the latest stop in a long and winding hockey career, which has turned Bowness into something of a legend in hockey circles. The Athletic’s Sean Shapiro joins us to discuss Bowness's 37-year coaching odyssey, how he has steered the Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals, and why so many people are rooting for the veteran coach to succeed.

Sean Shapiro's profile of Rick Bowness:

https://theathletic.co.uk/2073784/2020/09/18/bonesys-awesome-after-37-years-stars-coach-rick-bowness-gets-a-real-chance/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heading into Thursday night’s Game 4, the Lakers have a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, and Anthony Davis has played a huge role in L.A.’s postseason success. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Bill Oram to look at how Davis has risen to the challenge in his first postseason playing alongside LeBron James, and evoked Kobe Bryant with his dramatic game-winner on Sunday.

Read Bill Oram’s story about Anthony Davis’s Mamba shot: https://theathletic.com/2081543/2020/09/21/swagger-belief-and-the-spirit-of-kobe-how-anthony-davis-made-his-mamba-shot/?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 month, Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman used a gay slur on a live broadcast and followed it up with an apology that some regarded as awkward and insincere. Billy Bean, MLB's Ambassador for Inclusion (and a former Major Leaguer), joins us to discuss the Brennaman incident and its aftermath, his own coming out story, and why he believes baseball is becoming more tolerant.

More on MLB's Billy Bean:

http://billybean.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.