On The Ball with Ric Bucher
514 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 200 ratingsA weekly sports podcast with inside information and perspective from veteran NBA insider and Fox Sports analyst Ric Bucher, along with NBA players, coaches, executives and media as occasional guests Support this show at http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Why LeBron Did What He Did and Said What He Said
May 25, 2023 22:27 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBRic discusses how LeBron James performed in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals and his comments afterward about his future. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nikola Jokic Is Stepping Up -- and Back
May 23, 2023 00:08 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBRic discusses two-time MVP Nikola Jokic's performance in, and impact on, the Western Conference finals for the Denver Nuggets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Officiating in the Lakers-Warriors Series
May 11, 2023 01:42 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBRic discusses the controversy over how the playoff series between the Lakers and Warriors is being officiated. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Big Lie About Today's NBA
May 05, 2023 03:59 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBRic discusses what the playoffs are telling us about the state of the NBA. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Giannis Is Treated Differently
April 29, 2023 23:54 - 31 minutes - 28.2 MBRic discusses Giannis Antetokounmpo's comments after the No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks were upset by the No. 8 Miami Heat, along with other playoff observations. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Two All-NBA Selections I Regret
April 23, 2023 04:23 - 24 minutes - 23.6 MBRic discusses who he selected for this year's All-NBA teams and why. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Choosing This Year's MVP
April 08, 2023 18:39 - 23 minutes - 22.5 MBRic discusses the challenge of filling out his NBA MVP ballot this year. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reviewing the Ja Morant Crisis Management
March 31, 2023 01:52 - 34 minutes - 30.6 MBRic discusses how the Memphis Grizzlies handled recent incidents that led to the NBA suspending star guard Ja Morant for eight games due to conduct detrimental to the league. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Which Voters Actually Favored Nikola Jokic as MVP
March 09, 2023 07:52 - 30 minutes - 28 MBRic examines the recent question raised about whether or not racism exists in how NBA MVPs are selected. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fixing Load Management & The Larry Bird 3-pt Shooting Argument
February 25, 2023 08:33 - 36 minutes - 34.1 MBRic offers more insight on why load management hasn't been effective in preventing injuries and addresses a recent debate on Larry Bird's worthiness as an all-time great three-point shooter. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Impact of the Trade Deadline Moves by the Suns and Timberwolves
February 15, 2023 23:29 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBRic discusses the impact of the Phoenix Suns' acquiring Kevin Durant vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves trading for point guard Mike Conley. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What We Learned From LeBron's Historic Night
February 12, 2023 07:01 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBRic discusses LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Many Elements of an NBA Trade
February 07, 2023 05:20 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBRic discusses the language used by GMs in trades, the people involved and what inspired the Dallas Mavericks to acquire the Brooklyn Nets' enigmatic guard, Kyrie Irving. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hakeem and Embiid: Taking a Compliment as an Insult
January 27, 2023 20:22 - 36 minutes - 34.7 MBRic discusses a recent exchange between Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Making NBA All-Star Voting Matter
January 22, 2023 07:50 - 29 minutes - 27 MBRic shares who he voted for as All-Star starters and how he would improve the voting process. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are the Atlanta Hawks Still Working off the Warriors' Blueprint?
January 14, 2023 05:40 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBRic discusses recent front-office changes by the Atlanta Hawks and what inspired them. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
LeBron and the Lakers: Who is Underserving Whom?
January 09, 2023 22:10 - 35 minutes - 32 MBRic discusses the state of the Los Angeles Lakers and their relationship with star forward LeBron James. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why the Brooklyn Nets Should Scare Everyone -- Including Themselves
December 30, 2022 19:10 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBRic discusses the Brooklyn Nets' surge in the Eastern Conference and the components that make them dangerous in more ways than one. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The NBA -- What to Cheer, What to Fear
December 27, 2022 01:25 - 36 minutes - 32.7 MBRic takes stock of the NBA entering the New Year -- what is working, what isn't and how the league could make load management more palatable for fans. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
LeBron, Jerry Jones and The Photo
December 14, 2022 23:59 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBRic discusses Lakers star LeBron James' reaction to the media not asking him about a photo that shows Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as a 14-year-old boy in a crowd that prevented his school being integrated in 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Steph and Distorting Reality
December 06, 2022 22:24 - 39 minutes - 35.4 MBRic discusses the public reaction to a digitally edited video that shows the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry making five consecutive full-court shots. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Has the Warriors' Fence Been Mended?
December 02, 2022 23:29 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBRic discusses recent events and inside information about the Golden State Warriors as they attempt to move past internal strife to defend their NBA title. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Giannis, Montrezl and the Ladder
November 22, 2022 05:04 - 24 minutes - 22 MBRic discusses the incident involving Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia 76ers forward Montrezl Harrell and a work crew ladder. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Two Sides of Zion Williamson
November 16, 2022 20:24 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MBRic assesses the strengths and weaknesses of New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why You Should and Shouldn't Believe in the Clippers
November 11, 2022 19:34 - 30 minutes - 27.4 MBRic discusses the reasons to believe in, and question, the Los Angeles Clippers' championship hopes. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last Word on Kyrie -- After Watching the Movie
November 07, 2022 20:11 - 33 minutes - 30 MBRic discusses Kyrie Irving's suspension by both the Brooklyn Nets and Nike after watching the movie that prompted it, "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up, Black America." Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Don't Put It All On Kyrie
November 05, 2022 21:24 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBRic discusses the circumstances that led to the Brooklyn Nets suspending Kyrie Irving for a minimum of five games. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why the Lakers Are Where They Are
October 31, 2022 23:19 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBRic discusses who and what are to blame for the Los Angeles Lakers' 1-5 start, as well as the latest controversy involving Brooklyn Nets' guard Kyrie Irving. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What Prompted the Devin Booker-Klay Thompson Fracas
October 27, 2022 20:03 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MBRic examines the heated exchange between Phoenix Suns' shooting guard Devin Booker and the Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson that resulted in Thompson being ejected for the first time in his 796-game career midway through the Suns' resounding victory. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Moments That Mattered Monday Night
October 25, 2022 23:39 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MBRic examines several moments from the Nets-Grizzlies, Blazers-Nuggets and Raptors-Heat games that spoke volumes about the players and teams involved. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
LeBron James and Tom Brady Diverge
October 22, 2022 15:50 - 26 minutes - 23.1 MBRic discusses how two all-time great athletes Tom Brady and LeBron James are pursuing their competitive goals at advanced ages and as their careers draw to a close. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Lakers' Many Conundrums
October 17, 2022 21:26 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBRic discusses expectations for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as they begin the 2022-23 season by facing the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Warriors' Draymond Green-Jordan Poole Dilemma
October 12, 2022 21:13 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBRic examines the challenge facing the defending champion Warriors after video leaked of Draymond Green cold-cocking teammate Jordan Poole in practice. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What Ime Udoka Did and Ben Simmons Said
September 27, 2022 01:29 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBRic discusses the circumstances and reporting of head coach Ime Udoka's year-long suspension by the Boston Celtics and Ben Simmons' explanation of what did and didn't happen before and after he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What Inspired Sarver To Sell & Defending Seahawks Fans For Booing Wilson
September 22, 2022 18:22 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBRic discusses why Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver announced he is selling the team, NBA win-total lines worth playing and explaining why Seahawks fans felt betrayed by former quarterback Russell Wilson. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why You Should Be Betting on the Raptors & Against the Nets
September 15, 2022 17:58 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBRic discusses the over-under win total lines set by oddsmakers going into this NBA season and why those for the Nets and Raptors are ripe to be exploited. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why the Lakers Need Russ Westbrook -- and he Needs Them
September 08, 2022 21:36 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBRic discusses the relationship between the Los Angeles Lakers and point guard Russell Westbrook. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Donovan Mitchell Wound Up In Cleveland
September 04, 2022 22:06 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBRic discusses why the Utah Jazz traded star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers rather than the New York Knicks. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How The Game (And I) Have Changed
August 16, 2022 22:33 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBRic discusses the back story and reaction to recent information he shared about the Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The KD Saga Continues
August 11, 2022 03:04 - 26 minutes - 25.3 MBRic discusses the latest events concerning Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets and the prospects of KD having his trade request fulfilled by owner Joe Tsai. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cousy, The Logo, JJ, Draymond, Plumbers and Firemen
July 28, 2022 20:47 - 40 minutes - 36.7 MBRic discusses former NBA player JJ Redick disparaging legendary point guard Bob Cousy and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green denigrating the 1998 Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What To Expect From James Wiseman
July 25, 2022 18:01 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBRic discusses his and NBA scouts' assessment of Golden State Warriors' center James Wiseman's performance at the Las Vegas Summer League. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Rudy Gobert Got Traded, Why KD Hasn't
July 18, 2022 22:31 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBRic discusses why former Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was traded so quickly this summer to the Minnesota Timberwolves while the Brooklyn Nets are struggling to find a deal for disgruntled star Kevin Durant. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
First Impressions of Chet Holmgren as a Pro
July 12, 2022 18:27 - 27 minutes - 25.7 MBRic shares his observations watching No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren live in the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas NBA summer leagues. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Kevin Durant Wants Out
July 01, 2022 16:46 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBRic discusses Kevin Durant's reported request that the Brooklyn Nets trade him. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thoughts on Banchero Going No. 1 and Rookies Going at LeBron
June 26, 2022 21:05 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBRic discusses the Orlando Magic making Duke forward Paolo Banchero the No. 1 pick and two draft picks -- Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin -- challenging LeBron James. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Steph Curry: Overrated, Under-appreciated or ?
June 17, 2022 21:43 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBRic discusses the perception of Steph Curry before and after his performance in the 2022 NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Boston Celtics' Missing Piece
June 15, 2022 23:36 - 26 minutes - 25.5 MBRic examines why the Boston Celtics find themselves on the brink of elimination from the NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No Easy Answers for Steve Kerr and the Warriors
June 10, 2022 22:10 - 18 minutes - 18.6 MBRic discusses the criticism of Coach Steve Kerr's player rotations in the NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Warriors Need to get Honest with Themselves
June 04, 2022 18:40 - 20 minutes - 19 MBRic examines the Golden State Warriors' comments after their Game 1 loss in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.