On The Ball with Ric Bucher

In another coronavirus episode, Ric gives the result of his recent Covid test and examines why we can't resist anointing athletes as great before they've actually proved it. Also asked and answered: did Steph Curry really revolutionize the NBA all by himself? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the curious emergence of Luka Doncic as an MVP favorite and the candidates down the board who are far more likely to win and offer a better payout. Also discussed: the latest on the James Harden trade front and why the Clippers' offseason, contrary to popular belief, actually may have been better than the Lakers'. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Host...

Ric previews the 2020-21 NBA season, predicts the 16 teams that will make the playoffs, two that will get close and one title contender that won't be in the mix. Also discussed: Which teams will meet in the Finals and Jerry West's recruitment of Kawhi Leonard. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric explains why it would've defied NBA history if two-time MVP Giannis Antekounmpo had not signed his five-year, $228 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. Also: the flaw in LeBron James' claim he won the two hardest championships in NBA history and who is making it hard for Kyrie Irving to enjoy playing basketball. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on...

Ric talks with long-time ESPN live-event producer Mandy Cohen about how TV broadcasts have changed with the introduction of gambling, announcers calling games remotely due to the pandemic and Gen Zs who consume everything through their phones and haven't been conditioned to watch entire games on TV. Cohen started her career producing Bulls' games for all of Jordan's championship runs in Chicago an...

Ric shares insight from an NBA GM on how few players actually check all the leadership boxes and who the ones are that do. Also discussed: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray's five favorite all-time players, his top five Canadian players and why his choices reflect how personality and style affect a player's popularity. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Aca...

Ric discusses what he was hearing about Warriors guard Klay Thompson leading up to the draft before his heartbreaking injury, the harsh reality the Warriors and their fans need to accept, along with a look at why so many players selected in the NBA Draft were in tears. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the renewed appreciation for, and interest in, point guard Rajon Rondo, the reason LaMelo Ball is the prohibitive favorite as the No. 1 pick and what the Milwaukee Bucks acquired in Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses what agents and NBA executives have told him about the practice of pre-determining where a player will be selected in the draft under the restraints of Covid-19 protocol. Also discussed is the approach to players and personnel testing positive in overseas leagues currently playing and whether the NBA could adopt the same approach. Last topic: NBA players' activism around the recent e...

Ric examines the brewing battle between NBA players and team owners on when the next NBA season will start, how long it will last and whether or not the players will have say in the matter. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric talks with Hall of Fame big man Spencer Haywood, the Forrest Gump of basketball for having been part of so many historic moments and crossed paths with so many historic figures -- from being at the Olympics with John Carlos and Tommie Smith when they made their black power salute, to being coached by legends Bill Russell and Hank Iba, to playing with Magic and Kareem and, of course, opening th...

Ric is joined by Brian Berger, host of the award-winning Sports Business Radio podcast based in Portland, Oregon, with plenty of insider knowledge on the shoe business in general and Nike in particular. The two discuss Nike not renewing nearly half of its promotional deals with NBA players that signals a dramatic shift in Nike's business model and its impact on future NBA stars and their agents. S...

Ric examines how the Miami Heat fell short to the Los Angeles Lakers, the biggest beneficiaries of the Lakers winning the 2020 and a possible reason why LeBron James rewriting the NBA record books hasn't captured the public's interest or imagination. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a Bucher, Friendless episode, Ric talks about what it feels like to watch the NBA Finals from afar for the first time in 20-plus years, Doc Rivers' smooth move to Philly, his firsthand experience with the surgery Isaiah Thomas' underwent and players stealing material and not giving proper credit. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

Ric explains what will decide the battle between LeBron James' and the Lakers and Pat Riley's Miami Heat. Also discussed: whether or not the bubble was as mentally tough as advertised LeBron's insatiable appetite for the spotlight. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric explores who high school athletes today are most interested in with his 16-year-old son, Mat, examine why young teams and stars have fared so well in the NBA's Orlando Bubble and Mat explains why his pick to win it all is the Miami Heat. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric is joined by former NFL WR and FS1 analyst TJ Houshmanzadeh and comedian/actor Gary Owen to discuss TJ's former team and Gary's hometown favorite, the Cincinnati Bengals, the AFC North, Super Bowl picks, performing in empty stadiums and sparse night clubs and if they'd be willing to switch careers. Gary also shares how his troubled relationship with the Bengals was repaired by HC Zac Taylor an...

Ric discusses how, why and when LeBron and Russell's careers diverged, the shift in the game that has helped both (but LeBron more and longer) and how the perception of players is being skewed inside the Orlando bubble. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines what impact, if any, the NBA players' social activism has had, why they're pressuring NBA team owners to join their cause, and why we have a misconception of social media's influence and power to effect change. Also, why Kyrie Irving was not vindicated by the players' two-day refusal to play games in the Orlando bubble. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends ....

Ric explains why he refers to the Indiana Pacers' new star forward T.J. Warren as a "scorer with a conscience" and shares the conversation they had that contributed to Ric's piece on Warren for Bleacher Report. Warren also provides details on his relentless search for pick-up games -- including hours before he faced North Carolina as a freshman at North Carolina State. Support this show http://sup...

In the wake of the NBA's re-opening night, Ric discusses why TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller catches so much grief from viewers, making sense of Kyrie Irving subsidizing WNBA players and why the Clippers should (and shouldn't) believe they will handle the Lakers if and when they meet in the playoffs. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Ric discusses the many flaws in drawing a conclusion from a player making 3s or free throws in practice, the problem with the arguments he's heard about why Giannis deserves to be MVP over LeBron James and why LeBron will be at the top of his ballot. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an episode of Bucher, Friendless, Ric examines why changing the racially insensitive name of an NFL or MLB franchise might make us feel like a move toward equality but is more gesture than action. How Cam Newton is received as the new quarterback of the New England Patriots and whether or not Makur Maker inspires more NBA-caliber athletes to choose historically black universities and colleges w...

Ric and Will discuss the current social unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd and quarterback Drew Brees' part in the controversy. Will also recounts his experiences with police starting at 10 years old and how being the son of a prison guard shaped his view of law enforcement. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

JB, part of the only black father-son duo to both coach in a major professional U.S. sport, talks with Ric about what he learned from his father Bernie, what he is teaching his kids, and what we all can learn from the current cultural strife. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.