On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric discusses Kyrie Irving's first game this season and what it means for the Brooklyn Nets going forward. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the Chicago Bulls' rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the performance by Russell Westbrook for the Los Angeles Lakers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses why, with NBA teams scrambling to replace Covid-positive players, certain NBA vets are landing 10-day contracts and others are not getting a call. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the reason why the Los Angeles Lakers traded with the Washington Wizards for Russ Westbrook rather than with the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield to help LeBron James pursue another championship ring. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses what we learned from the Suns' latest dismantling of the Lakers, along with the beef between Mo Harkless and Buddy Hield in the Sacramento Kings' loss to the Golden State Warriors. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses simultaneously losing his dad -- and former coach -- while seeing his son flourish as an athlete and the deeper understanding all of it gave him on the many ways losing a parent can impact an athlete's approach to their sport. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the debate over who has had a bigger impact on how the NBA game is played, Michael Jordan or Steph Curry. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the Philadelphia 76ers' prospects of building a championship team with All-Star center Joel Embiid as the cornerstone. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the effects of fatherhood on the Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green and the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses trade rumors involving the Golden State Warriors and breaks down which ones make sense. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the current state of the Portland Trail Blazers with the ongoing investigation into basketball operations president Neil Olshey. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses comments made by the Brooklyn Nets' James Harden and the New York Knicks' Julius Randle before and after the Nets' 112-110 win. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric shares thoughts from executives, coaches and scouts on which team in the Western Conference could rise up by season's end and upend the current expectation that the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns will meet in the conference finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the two best teams in the NBA right now, the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns, and which one is more likely to come out on top in the playoffs. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses a text he received that a revolutionary replacement for Lakers coach Frank Vogel has been proposed to owner Jeanie Buss. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the recent debate over whether or not players in the NBA fear four-time champion LeBron James. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the half-dozen players, unhappy for one reason or another, who have chosen not to play this season and recognizes the one who has decided to play despite his circumstances -- Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ricky Rubio. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the Lakers' 121-116 comeback win over the Detroit Pistons following a skirmish that resulted in LeBron James being ejected from a game for only the second time in his career. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the slow start by the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and what it means for their chances of winning a second consecutive title. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the Warriors' hot start, including their dominating win over the Brooklyn Nets and whether or not they have what it takes to return to title contention. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the development of Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball after rough stops in LA and New Orleans on his NBA journey. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses Ben Simmons' desire to be traded by the Philadelphia 76ers and what he can do to help make that happen. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses a potential shift in the NBA small-ball revolution. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric breaks down the circumstances that led to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Miami Heat forward Markieff Morris exchanging blows in the Nuggets' 113-96 win that resulted in Jokic receiving a one-game suspension and Morris being fined $50,000. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.