A 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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Nico Harrison -- Culprit or Fall Guy?
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30:15🎧 In this On The Ball episode, Ric Bucher breaks down the full story behind the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers — and the firing of GM Nico Harrison that followed. Bucher exposes the real dynamics inside the Mavericks front office, from owner Patrick Dumont’s reactionary leadership to how Michael Finley and…
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Ja Morant's Future, Zion's Stagnation & Wemby's Rise: It's Time For A MAGPA Movement
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31:19In this episode of On The Ball (United WeCast Network), Ric Bucher breaks down the widening gap between American-born NBA stars and their international counterparts — and what it says about player development, discipline, and leadership in today’s game. Bucher dives into the latest around Ja Morant, including front-office chatter about his trade va…
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Riley Goes Euro, Ant's Missing Ingredient, Odd Lineups Explained
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32:55On The Ball with Ric Bucher delivers sharp, no-nonsense NBA analysis from veteran insider Ric Bucher (FS1, Fox Sports Radio) on the United WeCast Network. In this episode, Ric examines how the NBA’s entertainment engine shapes today’s game and player development, contrasting it with EuroLeague and international club systems. He spotlights Pat Riley…
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NBA Opening Night Torch Passing & The Mindset That Is Killing American Talent
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36:16Ric opens On the Ball by introducing his upcoming book, The Value of Being Coachable, which highlights lessons from legends like Steph Curry and Brandi Chastain, and outlines his three weekly shows—Full Court Passport (international hoops), On the Ball (solo NBA analysis), and Finding the Seams (with Brendan Haywood on college-to-pro transitions). …
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Warriors' Dilemma: Small Ball Has Become Tall Ball
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25:45Ric dives into an in-depth analysis of why the Golden State Warriors may struggle to match last season’s success despite Steph Curry’s brilliance and Jimmy Butler’s leadership. He argues that the NBA’s evolution toward “tall ball”—skilled, athletic bigs replacing traditional small-ball lineups—has neutralized the Warriors’ once-revolutionary style.…
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The State of Kuminga and LeBron's Decision of All Decisions
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Why Is Dennis Schröder an NBA Journeyman But International Superstar?
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40:23Ric provides a recap of the EuroBasket 2025 championship and examines why point guard Dennis Schröder has had so much recent success with the German national team -- MVP of the 2023 World Cup and EuroBasket 2025 -- yet has been an NBA journeyman, holding the record for most NBA teams played for by a foreign player. Support this show http://supporte…
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Slovenia Cries Foul and the NBA Rolls Over
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24:31Ric discusses Slovenia's complaints after its loss to Germany in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals and the NBA altering its rules to encourage more last-second heaves at the end of quarters. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Micky's Jab and the Anatomy of EuroBasket 2025 Upsets
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31:20Ric discusses recent events at the James Naismith Hall of Fame induction ceremony, including Miami Heat owner Micky Arison making fun of LeBron James falling five championships short of his promise to Heat fans. Also covered: upset wins by Finland over Serbia and Georgia over France to open the round of 16 in the current EuroBasket 2025 competition…
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What the Ballmer-Kawhi Bombshell Proves
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37:03Ric discusses the evidence tracked down by journalist and podcaster Pablo Torre that suggests the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer may have circumvented the NBA salary cap by providing star forward Kawhi Leonard additional payment for a no-show role with an outside company, as well as updates on performances by NBA players currently com…
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Luka Doncic Vs. Random Guy In A Suit
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30:14Ric discusses the performance of Los Angeles Lakers' star Luka Doncic for the Slovenian National Team in EuroBasket competition vs. Poland and France, and what it portends for the upcoming NBA season. (Also, a request to listeners: please fill out this survey so that Acast and On The Ball can better serve you: http://bit.ly/ontheballwithricbucher-s…
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The Kuminga Conundrum and Wemby Gets Ahead of the Game
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32:11In a double-shot episode, Ric discusses the stand-off between the Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the dynamics that have created it; and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama describing his pre-game routine and why it bodes well for both him and the Spurs. (Also, a request to listeners: please fill out this s…
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Over-Under Win Total Locks, Clark-Bueckers Comp
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28:12Ric discusses the most obvious ways to play several preseason win total over-under lines for the upcoming NBA season and whether or not Dallas Wings' No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers should be considered a better player than the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…
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Blazers' Future, Lakers' Power Shift, Top 5 Offseason Moves
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26:48
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26:48Ric discusses why it may be too early to assume prospective new owner Tom Dundon will not move the Portland Trail Blazers, a change in the power paradigm inside the Los Angeles Lakers and names the five teams who had the most impactful offseason moves. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p…
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LeBron-Jokic-Euro Rumors and the NBA's Prop Bet Dilemma
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27:41Ric discusses the Instagram post that revealed a meeting between LeBron James, his business manager Maverick Carter and Misko Raznatovic, the agent for Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and one of the most powerful basketball agents in Europe. Part II of the podcast looks at the federal investigations into several NBA players and their part in suspi…
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Figuring Out What WNBA Players Are Worth
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31:35Ric discusses the recent WNBA All-Star Game protest that consisted of players wearing t-shirts that read "Pay Us What You Owe Us" as they collectively bargain for a new contract and a bigger percentage of league revenue. Included is a look at how NBA players successfully used the All-Star Game in 1964 to persuade the league to establish a pension p…
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The Bar for Steph Curry and the Warriors, Mocking Jordan's Grief For Clout
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26:46In a two-part podcast, Ric discusses the complaint by some Golden State Warriors' fans that the franchise is doing a disservice to superstar Steph Curry with their lack of offseason moves. Also discussed: comments by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steve Nash about Michael Jordan's mid-career retirement following the murder of his father. Support th…
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Finding The Right Comp For Cooper Flagg
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32:30Ric discusses the 2025 NBA Draft's No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, the long list of players to whom he has been compared, his strengths and weaknesses, and Ric's method -- and struggle -- to identify the current player he sees as Cooper's ideal comparison. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…
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NBA Finals Game 7 Preview, Latest Caitlin Drama
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36:12Ric discusses the events leading up to Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers and what could determine who is the next champion. He also dives into the controversy surrounding Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and whether or not the WNBA needs to implement more protective measures to address how opponents play…
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NBA Finals 2025: What Happened In G4, What Has To Happen In G5
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26:19Ric discusses the factors that led to the Oklahoma City Thunder tying their best-of-seven NBA Finals series with the Indiana Pacers at two wins apiece and what will decide who wins the supremely pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma City. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati…
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The Mastermind Behind The Pacers' Success
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28:01Ric discusses the moves that Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made to win Game 3 and shares how he came to know Carlisle both as a person (and pianist) and coach. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Beauty and Intrigue of the 2025 NBA Finals
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29:09Ric discusses why the NBA Finals could prove to be transformative for the league and the blueprint for building championship teams. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why The Pacers' Game 1 Win Wasn't A Fluke, What It Means For The Series
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23:29Ric discusses the shocking last-second win by the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals over the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder -- why it happened and whether or not the Pacers' chance of winning the series should be re-evaluated. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…
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Triple Shot: Why Pacers Have A Chance, SGA Is In Top 5 PG Convo, Bronny Has To Play Next Season
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29:18Ric discusses why the Indiana Pacers could make the NBA Finals vs. the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder more competitive than expected, why Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be in the conversation for top 5 point guards of all-time if he wins this year's title and Finals MVP, and why rumors that the Lakers are hoping guard Bron…
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Ant Edwards is Being Robbed of What He Needs Most
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22:21Ric discusses the danger of anointing young NBA stars as can't-miss future champions or league MVPs as illustrated by the current projections for, and analysis of, Anthony Edwards with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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