The Lead

The Clippers recently angered many NBA fans by resting Kawhi Leonard during a nationally televised game. But could this strategy be the key to winning an NBA title? We speak with The Athletic's Eric Koreen about how "load management" played out during Leonard’s championship run in Toronto last year, the impact his actions have had on the league, and whether this approach to resting will become the blueprint for NBA stars in the future.

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LSU plays Alabama on Saturday in the most highly anticipated college football match of the season. The teams also met back in 2011 in the first "Game of the Century,” with LSU prevailing 9-6. The Athletic's Stewart Mandel joins us to talk about how both teams have transformed their offenses since then, despite some initial resistance from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. We're also joined by Dan Rubenstein, host of the podcasts Sports Wars and The Solid Verbal, for an in-depth preview of the game.

Who’s going to win this Saturday? Check out Stewart Mandel’s college football picks for Week 11:

https://theathletic.com/1357962/2019/11/07/stewart-mandel-college-football-picks-its-against-the-spread-week-11/?source=theleadpodcast

Listen to Dan Rubenstein's podcasts, Sports Wars and The Solid Verbal.

https://wondery.com/shows/sports-wars/

https://www.solidverbal.com/

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Exclusive reporting from The Athletic has revealed that the NFL broached the possibility of London as a new home for the Los Angeles Chargers. And while it might seem absurd that the Chargers could head overseas after such a short time in L.A., The Athletic’s Vincent Bonsignore says it actually makes a lot of sense for the team and the league. We speak with Bonsignore about his story, how the NFL would overcome the logistical challenges of an overseas team, and how this all ties back to the Chargers’ botched exit from San Diego.

Read Vincent Bonsignore’s exclusive story about the Chargers: https://theathletic.com/1347540/2019/11/04/with-london-ready-for-an-nfl-team-the-chargers-have-been-discussed-as-a-possible-option/?source=theleadpodcast

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Trent Williams recently revealed that a growth he had removed from his head during the offseason was cancerous. The Pro Bowl tackle also claimed that Redskins team doctors had initially told him it was something minor. The Athletic's Ben Standig speaks with us about Williams's health, his strained relationship with the team, and whether or not NFL players are losing faith in team doctors.

Read Ben Standig’s story on Trent Williams’ claims and why he wanted to be traded:

https://theathletic.com/1342518/2019/11/01/theres-no-trust-there-trent-williams-finally-speaks-reminds-all-best-reason-redskins-botched-trade-deadline/?source=theleadpodcast

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Warning: This episode contains graphic material related to sexual assault that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Sarah Klein is one of the first known victims of former gymnastics team physician and serial sexual predator, Larry Nassar. As an adult, Sarah struggled with anxiety, depression, and a range of physical ailments. Then Sarah connected with a therapist named Dr. Liz Goldman, who also had been a victim of sexual assault by a middle school wrestling coach. The two women formed a powerful connection that eventually flipped the doctor-patient relationship on its head, and both women continue to draw strength from one another. The Athletic's Armen Keteyian reports.

Watch all three parts of Armen Keteyian's report:

https://theathletic.com/video/23-silent-no-more/?source=theleadpodcast

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit https://hotline.rainn.org/ and receive confidential support.

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OJ Simpson's #32 jersey has returned to the football field in Buffalo for the first time in 42 years. It's being worn by a backup running back (and special teams player) named Senorise Perry. The Athletic's Tim Graham broke the story about OJ's number being put back in circulation back in May. We check in with Tim about how the decision has been received, what Senorise Perry hopes to accomplish this year, and how OJ Simpson is remembered by Buffalo Bills fans.

Read Tim's original story about the jersey number going back into circulation:

https://theathletic.com/987357/2019/05/21/for-the-first-time-in-42-years-the-bills-will-let-another-player-wear-o-j-simpsons-former-no-32/?source=theleadpodcast

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Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the biggest superstar in boxing, is the main event this weekend in Las Vegas. But, just as Canelo looks to win another championship belt, a rift has erupted between him and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya. The two men aren’t on speaking terms and the feud has spilled over onto social media. Canelo opened up to The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger about the divide, and Coppinger joins us to talk about what’s going on behind the scenes as boxing’s biggest star and his hall-of-fame promoter square off in their own fight.

Read Mike Coppinger’s story to find out more about the feud between Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya:

https://theathletic.com/1334317/2019/10/30/theres-no-loyalty-we-see-it-now-inside-canelo-alvarezs-feud-with-promoter-oscar-de-la-hoya/?source=theleadpodcast

To listen to the story of another great boxing rivalry, listen to the 5-episode series on Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield on "Sports Wars": wondery.fm/sportswars

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Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders was so grief-stricken after his father, Flip, passed away four years ago that he considered leaving his job as an assistant coach and buying a cabin in the woods. The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski tells the story of Ryan's path to recovery, the role his family played in his healing, and how, as the youngest head coach in the NBA, he is able to connect with his players -- and has them off to a hot start. Plus, a quick recap of last night's dramatic World Series finale.

Read Jon Krawczynski's profile of Ryan Saunders here:

https://theathletic.com/1299793/2019/10/22/ryan-saunders-flip-saunders-hayley-timberwolves-head-coach/?source=theleadpodcast

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The NCAA announced it will take steps to allow college athletes to make money off their names and likenesses. It's a major shift for the organization that has come under political pressure to address the issue. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker wants to fundamentally change professional and college sports in the U.S. He recently released a plan that would also address pay for college athletes as well as create a federal regulatory board, and institute equal pay for women athletes, among other things. We talk with Booker about his plan, why he thinks the federal government should step in, and how his experience as a college athlete shaped his view.

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The North Carolina Courage defeated the Chicago Red Stars 4-0 in the final of the NWSL on Sunday. This summer's World Cup generated a lot of talk about equal pay, and also led to a new broadcast deal and a major corporate sponsor for the NWSL. We chat with The Athletic's Megan Linehan about the future of the league, the team that's been pulling in 20,000 fans for home games, and what U.S. star Megan Rapinoe has been up to now that she’s no longer in a Twitter war with the president.

Read Megan's article about the future of the NWSL:

https://theathletic.com/1326052/2019/10/26/nwsl-state-of-the-league-amanda-duffy-heather-oreilly/?source=theleadpodcast

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