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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The Mastermind Behind The Pacers' Success
28:01
28:01
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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
29:09
29:09
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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
23:29
23:29
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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
29:18
29:18
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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
22:21
22:21
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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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Quad Shot: New vs. Old Media, The Real Overrated Player, The Real Foul Merchant & Malone on the Mike
30:09
30:09
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30:09Ric discusses four topics: the differences between new and old media; what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has that Anthony Edwards doesn't; Gilgeous-Alexander's label as a foul hunter; and former Nuggets head coach Mike Malone's prospects of landing another head-coaching job. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast…
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Quad Shot: The False Ant Narrative, Unfounded Jimmy Criticism, Caitlin-Angel Misappropriation, Crushed Conspiracy Theory
29:03
29:03
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29:03In this four-topic episode, Ric discusses a manufactured story line for Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the unrealistic expectations Warriors fans had for Jimmy Butler, the misappropriation of the latest Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese conflict and the kibosh on small-market fans complaining the NBA favors big stars and big markets. Support this show …
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Triple Shot: Pop's Farewell, Giannis' Identity, Luka's Motivation
31:27
31:27
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31:27Ric dives into three current topics on the NBA landscape: remembrance of his personal experiences with Gregg Popovich, recently forced to step down after an extraordinary run as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs because of health issues; the debate over whether Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks would be best served continuing to join …
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Quad Shot: Why Jimmy is Indispensable, Paolo is Unappreciated, LeBron-Ant Laugh-fest was Confusing, Adam Silver Deserves Thanks
36:09
36:09
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36:09Ric discusses four hot topics involving the NBA playoffs: the many ways Jimmy Butler is indispensable for the Golden State Warriors, the overlooked excellence of the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero, the quizzically friendly banter between LeBron James and Anthony Edwards in the final minutes of a closely contested Game 3 and how a change in officiat…
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The Latest Klutch Campaign and Assessing Nico's Press Conference
29:59
29:59
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29:59Ric discusses recent comments by members of LeBron James' circle that devalue his supporting casts and examines Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison's responses in a recent no-camera, closed-door press conference to questions concerning the team's decision to deal franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers at the February trade deadline…
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The Mike Malone Firing: Why and Why Now
28:16
28:16
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28:16Ric discusses the behind-the-scenes events that led to yet another NBA head coach, Mike Malone of the Denver Nuggets, unexpectedly being fired by a team on the cusp of going to the playoffs. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Quad Shot: Jokic Deserves Better, Suns At Their Worst, Kerr The Maestro, Request for LeBron Fans
39:06
39:06
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39:06In this latest edition of the Quad Shot, Ric presents why Denver Nuggets' center Nikola Jokic has less talent around him than LeBron James or Steph Curry; the astonishing lack of competitive fire being displayed by the Phoenix Suns; the process through which Golden State Warriors' coach Steve Kerr has built an undefeated starting lineup (and quiete…
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The Man Behind The Shooting Prowess of Every Final Four Team
42:37
42:37
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42:37Ric interviews John Carter, CEO of Noah Basketball Technology, about the shooting technology used by 28 NBA teams and hundreds of college and university programs, including all four men's Final Four teams. The two discover that they have a host of similar connections in the basketball world and that Bucher -- and his collegiate basketball-playing d…
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Digging Deeper into the AD-Doncic Trade and the SGA-Joker MVP Debate
29:34
29:34
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29:34Ric digs into the reports detailing the Los Angeles Lakers' disenchantment with, and willingness to trade, Anthony Davis, as well as the arguments being made for and against the NBA's top two candidates for Most Valuable Player, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Support this show http:…
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Resting Stars to Lose: Legit Concern or Crazed Conspiracy Talk?
27:03
27:03
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27:03Ric discusses the heated reaction to NBA teams resting their star players against certain opponents and whether there is merit to believing teams are intentionally trying to lose specific games against particular opponents. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Quad Shot: Wobbly Celtics, Flat-lining Nuggets, Same Ol' Luka, Stubborn Thibs
27:29
27:29
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27:29Ric discusses the state of the defending champion Boston Celtics and the importance of Kristaps Porzingis, indications that Nikola Jokic's supporting cast with the Denver Nuggets has plateaued, new Los Angeles Laker Luka Doncic assuming the same form he had in Dallas and why the squabble between the Knicks swingman Mikal Bridges and coach Tom Thibo…
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Takeaways from Lakers-Celtics Tilt and SAS-LeBron Squabble
23:05
23:05
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23:05Ric discusses what the recent battle between the Celtics and Lakers revealed about the two teams and weighs in on the soap opera involving ESPN host Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James and his son and teammate, Bronny James. 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 NBA Inspires So Many Debates
25:40
25:40
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25:40Ric discusses the multitude of disagreements over the NBA currently in vogue: who the greatest player is, the quality of the league and the way in which the league is covered. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Quad Shot: Why Jimmy Buckets is a Great Fit, Nostalgia Catches a Stray, Lakers-Nuggets Takeaway, Knicks' Fatal Flaw
33:47
33:47
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33:47Ric covers four of the NBA's hottest current storylines: why Jimmy Butler has had such a profound effect on the Warriors since being acquired from the Miami Heat; former NBA forward Channing Frye's assertion that nostalgia is why today's stars are viewed as inferior to their predecessors; how to view the Los Angeles Lakers' surprising, and dominati…
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A Much Bigger Concern than the NBA All-Star Game
35:35
35:35
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35:35Ric discusses -- and challenges -- the criticism heaped upon last week's NBA All-Star Game and points to a much more glaring issue the league faces. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What the NBA and its Partners Say They Want (But Do They Really?)
33:28
33:28
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33:28Ric discusses what he learned about the focus and ambition of the NBA's newest media partners over All-Star Weekend and whether or not their actions reflect their proposed intentions. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…
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Theories On Why The Mark Williams Trade Failed
42:40
42:40
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42:40Ric shares with his son, Mat, what league sources are saying about the Lakers rescinding their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams after team doctors flagged his physical. Also discussed: the mindset of rookie Dalton Knecht returning to the Lakers after they were prepared to send him to Charlotte and how the winner of the Dallas Maveri…
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The Second-Most Shocking Trade at the NBA Deadline
32:39
32:39
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32:39Ric examines trades made at the NBA deadline that involved the Cavs, Bucks, Lakers, Clippers and Warriors and breaks down the one that was second only to the Dallas Mavericks dealing Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for shock value. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
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The Luka-AD Trade: Why It Happened, What It Means
33:39
33:39
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33:39Ric discusses why the Dallas Mavericks traded their 25-year-old Slovenian superstar, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers for All-Star center, Anthony Davis, without putting Doncic on the open market and the message that the Lakers sent their incumbent star, LeBron James, by making the deal. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and…
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Word to My Media Brethren: You Missed the Boat on Bronny
16:20
16:20
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16:20Ric discusses the backlash from the media after rookie guard Bronny James, son of Lakers' star LeBron James, had a poor performance in his most extended playing time for the Lakers in a 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information…
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