The Lead

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=theleadpodcast

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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=theleadpodcast

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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=theleadpodcast

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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

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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=theleadpodcast

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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 

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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

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Baltimore recently lost a sports icon. Mo Gaba first gained fame as a 9-year-old, when he began calling into a local sports talk radio show and entertaining listeners with his unique sense of humor and unforgettable voice. But then, as his lifelong battle with cancer became known to the public, his story took on a new meaning. The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli, who met Mo several times, joins us to reflect on his life, his message, and his unforgettable final radio show.

Read Britt Ghiroli and Jeff Zrebiec's story about Mo Gaba:

https://theathletic.com/1989076/2020/08/12/mostrong-the-boy-who-inspired-athletes-and-rallied-a-city/?source=theleadpodcast

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Last week, college football seemed to be moving full speed ahead, albeit with a limited schedule. But on Tuesday, the Big Ten and PAC-12 announced that they would not be playing football this fall after all. The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbauch joins us to explain how this apparently sudden shift came about, and whether or not the other Power Five conferences will follow suit.

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After entering the NBA bubble as one of the most intriguing teams to watch, Zion Williamson and the Pelicans are getting ready to head home, as they’ve officially been eliminated from the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Today, The Athletic’s Will Guillory joins us to look back on Zion's turbulent rookie year — a year filled with peaks and setbacks — and ask if it’s time to adjust our expectations around the most hyped player to enter the league in recent memory. 

Follow Will Guillory’s coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans: https://theathletic.com/author/william-guillory/?source=theleadpodcast

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