On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric shares what he's heard about possible destinations for the Philadelpia 76ers' disenfranchised star, Ben Simmons, and Raptors free agent Kyle Lowry, and the possibility of them trading places. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the dynamics that led to France beating Team USA in its first Tokyo Olympics game and the prospects for Team USA still winning a fourth consecutive gold medal. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Respect for the value of mid-range shots surged in the Finals, but Ric details how the Bucks turned the series in their favor by forcing the Suns to get the bulk of their offense off them. Also: unlike the regular season and early in the playoffs, three-pointers did not play a huge role in the Finals. Ric explains why that might've been. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-frie...

Ric examines rumors of the Lakers moving on from free agent point guard Dennis Schröder and going after Chris Paul or Russ Westbrook and the pros and cons of either acquisition. Also: a look at the Lakers or Warriors' chances of returning to championship form next season. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the Bucks clinching the 2021 NBA title with their Game 6 win over the Suns and what Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo taught us with his performance. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the state of the Portland Trail Blazers since its star Damian Lillard expressed his frustration with the roster. Also: a look at why the US National Team is having problems fielding a complete roster. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the push that already has begun by current and former NBA players for the Bucks' Khris Middleton as Finals MVP and the false reality that some Phoenix Suns players may be entertaining about making it back to the Finals should they fall short this time. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the prospects of Kawhi Leonard returning to the Clippers, their prospects now that he's had knee surgery and speculative answers as to why it took so long to identify his injury. Plus: burying the Batman-Robin trope to describe the relationship between a team's top players. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

Ric discusses the Bucks 109-103 win over the Suns to tie their NBA Finals' series at 2 games apiece and the disparate responses by Phoenix stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker on the reasons for the loss -- and what it means for the Suns' chances of winning the series. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric breaks down the places that do and don't make sense for the 76ers' Ben Simmons to land, Team USA's convincing win over Argentina and the tepid appreciation from other NBA players for what Giannis Antetokounmpo is doing in the NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses comments by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith about MLB star Shohei Ohtani and the Nigerian basketball team and assesses Suns' guard Devin Booker's overall game. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines both the dominant Game 3 win by the Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals and Nigeria's exhibition upset of Team USA and explains why neither win should be viewed as a surprise. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines what Giannis Antetokounmpo's virtuoso performance in Game 2 means for his overall growth and pinpoints why it wasn't enough to prevent the Suns from taking a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric dives into the debate over where Chris Paul stands among all-time point guards now that he's reached his first NBA Finals and has a chance at his first title. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how the Bucks lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the adjustments needed to avoid the same result in Game 2. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how the Milwaukee Bucks could be better off starting the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo but why they need him to win the series. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the unsung hero of the Bucks' Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals and examines whether or not the Hawks would've been better served if star guard Trae Young had not tried to play on his injured foot. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the Bucks' controversy-free win over the Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals and speculates why the NBA hasn't tried harder to eliminate flopping. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how the Phoenix Suns closed out the Los Angeles Clippers to win the Western Conference title and advance to the NBA Finals. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the recent propensity to elevate stars to legendary status too quickly -- the Bucks' Khris Middleton being the latest example -- and how it overshadows how these playoffs have unfolded and who the true architects of success are. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the performance of the Clippers' Paul George in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, how it was a microcosm of his uneven postseason track record and what might be behind his erratic play. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the lineup changes and strategic twists Clippers coach Ty Lue utilized to win Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns despite the return of All-Star point guard Chris Paul. Also: an update on potential coaching hires in Portland, New Orleans and Orlando and Becky Hammon's prospects of getting hired as the first woman's head coach in NBA history. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bu...

Ric examines the Atlanta Hawks' win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and explores the reasons why the Bucks' performance bothered him. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the impact of Cameron Payne starting in place of quarantined Chris Paul in the Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns, and how Paul's pending return could affect Payne's contributions. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric shares his experience covering John Stockton during his legendary run with the Utah Jazz and the harsh reaction to Stockton's participation in a documentary questioning the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.