On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric discusses the upcoming selection of the NBA's Top 75 players and offers the three new names that should be added first, along with one oversight from the first 50. He also provides a formula for recognizing the league's greatest players that is far more fair and balanced. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Ric discusses what the Bulls, Cavs and Blazers gain from their recent three-way trade and whether or not Rajon Rondo can deliver for the Lakers what he could not for their crosstown rival, the Clippers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the innuendo that Damian Lillard may want out of Portland and the belief by some that he should leave because he has been underserved by the Blazers' organization. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the NBA's plan to select a list of the league's top 75 players as part of its 75th anniversary plans and why anniversary celebrations seem to come along at a convenient time in the league's history. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric breaks down the over-under lines set for every NBA team's win total next season and what they tell us about who is expected to rise, fall off and be in the playoff picture at season's end. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses a shift he sees in LeBron James' approach to his rivals -- a shift that he also witnessed Kobe Bryant make toward the end of his career. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses Dallas Mavericks' star Luka Doncic once again being the preseason favorite to win MVP -- and breaks down why there are a host of players who make more sense. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric explains why his view has changed on what better prepares a high school player for the NBA -- going to college or directly to the G League -- and reviews what playing in the G League did and didn't do for No. 2 pick Jalen Green. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the recent conversation between Draymond Green and former teammate Kevin Durant, their infamous in-game beef and what they did and didn't address. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the 76ers betting their future on center Joel Embiid by extending his contract through the 2026-27 season, reviews the Christmas Day schedule and shares which core he'd rather have -- the Nets' or the Bucks'. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the history of the Warriors, the part that good fortune has played in their success, and measures the chances of the current squad regaining the form that resulted in five trips to the Finals and three titles. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the reported trade sending Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies for Eric Bledsoe and why the Los Angeles Clippers had to make it. 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, which suggest big men are not essential for winning a championship. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the first Summer League battle between No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham vs. No. 2 pick Jalen Green and whether or not Cade justified his No. 1 selection. Also: an assessment of Brad Stevens as the Boston Celtics' GM and the most obvious reason Danny Ainge decided to step down. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Ric examines the offseason moves by the Chicago Bulls and what it means for their place in the Eastern Conference next season. Also: questioning the urgency to anoint Luka Doncic the face of the NBA and why the Lakers being old isn't the only reason to doubt their championship capabilities. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Ric discusses how the Knicks have upgraded their roster, putting the onus on coach Tom Thibodeau to manage minutes and play a deeper rotation -- something he has long avoided. Also: Kendrick Perkins wins gold, thanks to Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric looks at the dynamics that closed the gap between Team USA and other national teams and why the pendulum may be swinging back the other way. Also: why coach Gregg Popovich had reason to feel insulted and what Damian Lillard has left to prove. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric has a conversation with award-winning magazine writer Matt Sullivan, author of "Can't Knock The Hustle: Inside the Season of Protest, Pandemic, and Progress with the Brooklyn Nets' Superstars of Tomorrow," discussing what he learned spending a year behind the scenes with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the entire Nets' entourage. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends ....

Ric breaks down who and what was most responsible for Team USA's slow start against Team Australia, as well as their eventual decisive win, to advance to the gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the what the Lakers have assembled around LeBron James and Anthony Davis and why Steph Curry didn't think twice about staying with 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 reviews the deals made on the opening day of NBA free agency and separates the teams that won the headlines from those who may have made the shrewdest deals. Also discussed: how contracts announced aren't always as large as they appear and why. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the dimensions of international play, from the size of the ball to the court and how it impacts NBA players, as well as Team USA's decisive win over the Czech Republic to reach the Olympic quarterfinals. Also explained in this episode: how Slovenia upset Spain despite foul trouble and limited scoring from Luka Doncic. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends ....

Ric examines the impact of the Lakers acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards and landing spots for Lakers free agent point guard Dennis Schröder. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric looks at how the champion Milwaukee Bucks were formed, how much owners Marc Lasry and Wes Edens have spent on the roster and lays out why they are indeed a small-market team but not operating as one. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric looks at Team USA's confidence-restoring win over Iran and how international play separates the NBA players capable of functioning anywhere with anyone and those who are specifically suited for playing the NBA game. Also: an update on the Kyle Lowry sweepstakes. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.