Shows / On The Ball with Ric Bucher
On The Ball with Ric Bucher
On The Ball with Ric Bucher is a weekly NBA and sports podcast featuring inside information, behind-the-scenes stories, and one-of-a-kind perspective on the biggest topics in basketball and beyond. Ric Bucher is a veteran NBA insider, TV analyst, and author of Coachable, and each episode gives you the story behind the headlines. That includes trades, free agency, front-office moves, locker-room dynamics, and the people who shape the league.
Find all of Ric’s work at RicBucher.com and watch…
Episodes
On The Ball with Ric BucherDissecting Why Players Discount LeBron's Accomplishments
Ric examines recent comments by former players Rasheed Wallace and Paul Pierce about current star LeBron James that suggest he is overrated, a criticism LeBron…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Naismith Hall Of Fame: Where Basketball And Business Collide
Ric discusses the 2021 Class of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame members and the struggle to produce an annual class of inductees while protecting the Hall's…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Kyrie Vs. Steph Debate, Examined In Full
Ric discusses the recent debate over which star point guard is more skilled, the Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving or the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry. Support…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHow Much Better Are The Nets Now?
Ric examines the offseason moves the Brooklyn Nets have made and whether or not they make them the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Support this show…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHow Much Better Are The Nets Now Than A Year Ago?
Ric examines the offseason moves by the Brooklyn Nets and whether or not they make them the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Support this show…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhy There Is No NBA Hard Knocks Show -- Anymore
Ric answers LeBron James' question about why the NBA does not have a show like the NFL's "Hard Knocks," by revealing both that it has and the dynamics between…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe 15 All-Time Great NBA Players From the 1991-92 to 2005-06 Era
Ric continues his selection of 15 all-time great NBA players from each of five 15-season eras by identifying the final six for the 1991-92 to 2005-06 era…
On The Ball with Ric BucherLeaving The Top 50 Alone & Picking A Top 75 By Era
Ric offers an alternative to selecting a brand-new Top 75 All-time great players in conjunction with the league's 75th anniversary celebration -- distributing…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Three New Names At The Head Of The Line For The Top 75
Ric discusses the upcoming selection of the NBA's Top 75 players and offers the three new names that should be added first, along with one oversight from the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherBreaking Down The Blazers-Bulls-Cavs Trade And Rajon Rondo's Return To The Lakers
Ric discusses what the Bulls, Cavs and Blazers gain from their recent three-way trade and whether or not Rajon Rondo can deliver for the Lakers what he could…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhy It Makes No Sense For Damian Lillard To Leave Portland -- At Least For Now
Ric examines the innuendo that Damian Lillard may want out of Portland and the belief by some that he should leave because he has been underserved by the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Value And Danger In Selecting An NBA Top 75 Team
Ric discusses the NBA's plan to select a list of the league's top 75 players as part of its 75th anniversary plans and why anniversary celebrations seem to…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Oddsmakers Don't Believe In The Nets As Much As You Think
Ric breaks down the over-under lines set for every NBA team's win total next season and what they tell us about who is expected to rise, fall off and be in the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherDoes LeBron See What Kobe Saw?
Ric discusses a shift he sees in LeBron James' approach to his rivals -- a shift that he also witnessed Kobe Bryant make toward the end of his career. Support…
On The Ball with Ric BucherMaking Sense Of The Nonsensical Opening Odds On The Next NBA MVP
Ric discusses Dallas Mavericks' star Luka Doncic once again being the preseason favorite to win MVP -- and breaks down why there are a host of players who make…
On The Ball with Ric BucherCollege or the G League -- Which Is Better Prep For The NBA?
Ric explains why his view has changed on what better prepares a high school player for the NBA -- going to college or directly to the G League -- and reviews…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhat Really Inspired the KD-Draymond Beef
Ric examines the recent conversation between Draymond Green and former teammate Kevin Durant, their infamous in-game beef and what they did and didn't address…
On The Ball with Ric BucherCan Joel Embiid Lead The 76ers To A Title?
Ric examines the 76ers betting their future on center Joel Embiid by extending his contract through the 2026-27 season, reviews the Christmas Day schedule and…
On The Ball with Ric BucherSetting Realistic Expectations For The Warriors This Season
Ric examines the history of the Warriors, the part that good fortune has played in their success, and measures the chances of the current squad regaining the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Clippers' Latest Trade Makes Sense -- And Might Even Work
Ric examines the reported trade sending Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies for Eric Bledsoe and why the Los Angeles…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Nets Are Going All-In On Winning An Analytics-Driven Title
Ric examines the offseason moves by the Brooklyn Nets, which suggest big men are not essential for winning a championship. Support this show…
On The Ball with Ric BucherCade Vs. Jalen: Did The Pistons Make The Right Choice?
Ric examines the first Summer League battle between No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham vs. No. 2 pick Jalen Green and whether or not Cade justified his No. 1…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHow High Can The Bulls Fly?
Ric examines the offseason moves by the Chicago Bulls and what it means for their place in the Eastern Conference next season. Also: questioning the urgency to…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Knicks Might Need To Take A Step Back, But Will Tom Thibodeau Let Them?
Ric discusses how the Knicks have upgraded their roster, putting the onus on coach Tom Thibodeau to manage minutes and play a deeper rotation -- something he…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHas The Window Already Closed On The World Overtaking Team USA?
Ric looks at the dynamics that closed the gap between Team USA and other national teams and why the pendulum may be swinging back the other way. Also: why…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhat Does Kyrie Irving Want?
Ric has a conversation with award-winning magazine writer Matt Sullivan, author of "Can't Knock The Hustle: Inside the Season of Protest, Pandemic, and…
On The Ball with Ric BucherJrue To The Rescue Again
Ric breaks down who and what was most responsible for Team USA's slow start against Team Australia, as well as their eventual decisive win, to advance to the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhy The Lakers Are Sure To Be A Soap Opera -- And Why Steph Curry Isn't
Ric examines the what the Lakers have assembled around LeBron James and Anthony Davis and why Steph Curry didn't think twice about staying with the Golden…
On The Ball with Ric BucherNBA Free Agency: Not Every Deal Was As Good As It Sounded
Ric reviews the deals made on the opening day of NBA free agency and separates the teams that won the headlines from those who may have made the shrewdest…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhat Team USA Is Up Against, What It Has Overcome
Ric discusses the dimensions of international play, from the size of the ball to the court and how it impacts NBA players, as well as Team USA's decisive win…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhere The Westbrook Trade Impacts The Lakers Most
Ric examines the impact of the Lakers acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards and landing spots for Lakers free agent point guard Dennis…
On The Ball with Ric BucherAre The Bucks Really NOT A Super Team?
Ric looks at how the champion Milwaukee Bucks were formed, how much owners Marc Lasry and Wes Edens have spent on the roster and lays out why they are indeed a…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Truth Serum That Is International Basketball
Ric looks at Team USA's confidence-restoring win over Iran and how international play separates the NBA players capable of functioning anywhere with anyone and…
On The Ball with Ric BucherMaking Sense Of The Point Guard Carousel
Ric shares what he's heard about possible destinations for the Philadelpia 76ers' disenfranchised star, Ben Simmons, and Raptors free agent Kyle Lowry, and the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherFrance Just Took Team USA Back To The 90s
Ric examines the dynamics that led to France beating Team USA in its first Tokyo Olympics game and the prospects for Team USA still winning a fourth…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Suns Lived By The Mid-Range -- And Died By It
Respect for the value of mid-range shots surged in the Finals, but Ric details how the Bucks turned the series in their favor by forcing the Suns to get the…
On The Ball with Ric BucherAre Chris Paul or Russ Westbrook The Upgrade The Lakers Need?
Ric examines rumors of the Lakers moving on from free agent point guard Dennis Schröder and going after Chris Paul or Russ Westbrook and the pros and cons of…
On The Ball with Ric BucherGiannis Is Exactly The Kind Of Champion We Need Right Now
Ric discusses the Bucks clinching the 2021 NBA title with their Game 6 win over the Suns and what Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo taught us with his…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Commotion Surrounding the Blazers and the US National Team
Ric examines the state of the Portland Trail Blazers since its star Damian Lillard expressed his frustration with the roster. Also: a look at why the US…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Curious Campaign For Khris Middleton As Finals MVP
Ric examines the push that already has begun by current and former NBA players for the Bucks' Khris Middleton as Finals MVP and the false reality that some…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Clippers With (And Without) Kawhi
Ric examines the prospects of Kawhi Leonard returning to the Clippers, their prospects now that he's had knee surgery and speculative answers as to why it took…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHow And How Not To Take Ownership Of A Loss
Ric discusses the Bucks 109-103 win over the Suns to tie their NBA Finals' series at 2 games apiece and the disparate responses by Phoenix stars Chris Paul and…
On The Ball with Ric BucherBen Simmons' Trade Rumors, Argentina Okeydoke, Golf Claps For Giannis
Ric breaks down the places that do and don't make sense for the 76ers' Ben Simmons to land, Team USA's convincing win over Argentina and the tepid appreciation…
On The Ball with Ric BucherA Deep Dive Into Stephen A., Interpreters And Devin Booker
Ric discusses comments by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith about MLB star Shohei Ohtani and the Nigerian basketball team and assesses Suns' guard Devin Booker's overall…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Bucks and Team Nigeria Both Won -- And They Weren't Flukes
Ric examines both the dominant Game 3 win by the Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals and Nigeria's exhibition upset of Team USA and…
On The Ball with Ric BucherGiannis Raises His Bar, Bucks Drop Their Guard
Ric examines what Giannis Antetokounmpo's virtuoso performance in Game 2 means for his overall growth and pinpoints why it wasn't enough to prevent the Suns…
On The Ball with Ric BucherIt's Too Late For Chris Paul To Crack The Top Five All-Time Point Guard List
Ric dives into the debate over where Chris Paul stands among all-time point guards now that he's reached his first NBA Finals and has a chance at his first…
On The Ball with Ric BucherFour Moves The Bucks Have To Make For Game 2
Ric examines how the Bucks lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the adjustments needed to avoid…
On The Ball with Ric BucherWhy The Bucks Are Better Off Without Giannis -- For Now
Ric examines how the Milwaukee Bucks could be better off starting the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo but why…
On The Ball with Ric BucherHeadlines Gone Wrong And Trae Young's Decision To Play
Ric discusses the unsung hero of the Bucks' Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals and examines whether or not the Hawks would've been…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThere's A Simple Solution To Flopping -- If The NBA Wants One
Ric examines the Bucks' controversy-free win over the Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals and speculates why the NBA hasn't tried harder to…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Clippers Dared CP3 To Beat Them -- And He Took That Personally
Ric examines how the Phoenix Suns closed out the Los Angeles Clippers to win the Western Conference title and advance to the NBA Finals. Support this show…
On The Ball with Ric BucherMaking Legends Out of One-Night Wonders
Ric discusses the recent propensity to elevate stars to legendary status too quickly -- the Bucks' Khris Middleton being the latest example -- and how it…
On The Ball with Ric BucherPolarizing P Strikes Again
Ric discusses the performance of the Clippers' Paul George in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, how it was a microcosm of his uneven postseason track…
On The Ball with Ric BucherTy Lue Pulls All The Right Strings Once Again
Ric examines the lineup changes and strategic twists Clippers coach Ty Lue utilized to win Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns despite the return of All-Star point…
On The Ball with Ric BucherIt Took A Team Effort For The Bucks To Lose This One
Ric examines the Atlanta Hawks' win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and explores the reasons why the Bucks' performance…
On The Ball with Ric BucherChris Paul's Return Could Be Just What The Clippers Need
Ric discusses the impact of Cameron Payne starting in place of quarantined Chris Paul in the Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThoughts On John Stockton
Ric shares his experience covering John Stockton during his legendary run with the Utah Jazz and the harsh reaction to Stockton's participation in a…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe One Ingredient That The Hawks, Bucks, Clippers and Suns Have In Common
Ric looks at the four teams that have reached the conference finals and the key ingredient that has allowed them to advance. Also discussed: the hard reality…
On The Ball with Ric BucherThe Nets Take Reggie Miller's Suggestion And Giannis Comes To His Senses
Ric examines the elements that led to the Bucks' decisive Game 6 win over the Brooklyn Nets, what to look for in Game 7 and provides some insight on Rick…