On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric discusses the seeming uselessness of NBA preseason games and Warriors forward Draymond Green's defense of teammate Andrew Wiggins' short-lived anti-vaccination stand. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the discovery by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid that his fellow All-Star and teammate, Ben Simmons, no longer wants to play with him. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses comments by Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony about how they see their respective talents fitting together in their first season together as Los Angeles Lakers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric finds commonality in Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac's explanation as to why he has declined getting vaccinated and Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd's view of how Mavs star Luka Doncic has to change his game. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric breaks down what he took from comments made on the start of NBA training camp by a variety of stars, including Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson, Kyrie Irving, Andrew Wiggins and Bradley Beal. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the issue of unvaccinated NBA players on the eve of the 2021-22 season. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses what he learned in a call and video session with Monty McCutcheon, the NBA head of referee development and training, about how the league hopes to curb offensive players from launching themselves into defenders to draw fouls. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric details the dysfunction laid bare by the the Minnesota Timberwolves firing team president Gersson Rosas and balks at revisionist history with both Warriors forward Draymond Green and Pelicans GM David Griffin. 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 Warriors owner Joe Lacob about the team's interest in Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, comparing him to his incumbent defensive star, Draymond Green. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses his disappointment in Season 2 of the comedy series, "Ted Lasso," and the sobering announcement from the Warriors on the status of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the dynamics facing the Philadelphia 76ers in moving disgruntled point guard Ben Simmons, along with the video clip of star Kawhi Leonard looking unhappy at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Los Angeles Clippers' new arena. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines a variety of curious social media posts and reports by or about Kyrie Irving, Russ Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses Dennis Schröder's chance of landing a big-money deal next summer and the odds of Pelicans star Zion Williamson staying in New Orleans. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric offers another sensible trade for disgruntled 76ers guard Ben Simmons and discusses the potential source and fallout of the players union's refusal to accept a league mandate that all players be vaccinated against Covid-19. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With training camp less than two weeks away, Ric offers his assistance to the 76ers in moving their unhappy star point guard, Ben Simmons, for the aggressive offensive point guard they need. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric fills the final seven spots in his list of 75 all-time NBA greats in its first 75 seasons by selecting the last seven additions to the 2006-07 to 2020-21 era. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric nears completion of his list of the 75 all-time greatest players in NBA history, naming 8 of the 15 in the final era from the '06-07 to '20-21 seasons. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 seems subject to from players more than any other superstar. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 integrity at the same time. 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 which star point guard is more skilled, the Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving or the Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the two leagues that make going behind-the-scenes with the NBA less compelling. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the top 50 among four 15-season eras, correcting two oversights and still having 23 spots for contemporary all-time greats. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...