On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric discusses the evidence tracked down by journalist and podcaster Pablo Torre that suggests the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer may have circumvented the NBA salary cap by providing st…

Ric discusses the performance of Los Angeles Lakers' star Luka Doncic for the Slovenian National Team in EuroBasket competition vs. Poland and France, and what it portends for the upcoming NBA season…

In a double-shot episode, Ric discusses the stand-off between the Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga and the dynamics that have created it; and San Antonio Spurs star Vi…

Ric discusses the most obvious ways to play several preseason win total over-under lines for the upcoming NBA season and whether or not Dallas Wings' No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers should be considered a …

Ric discusses why it may be too early to assume prospective new owner Tom Dundon will not move the Portland Trail Blazers, a change in the power paradigm inside the Los Angeles Lakers and names the f…

Ric discusses the Instagram post that revealed a meeting between LeBron James, his business manager Maverick Carter and Misko Raznatovic, the agent for Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and one of the…

Ric discusses the recent WNBA All-Star Game protest that consisted of players wearing t-shirts that read "Pay Us What You Owe Us" as they collectively bargain for a new contract and a bigger percenta…

In a two-part podcast, Ric discusses the complaint by some Golden State Warriors' fans that the franchise is doing a disservice to superstar Steph Curry with their lack of offseason moves. Also discu…

Ric discusses the 2025 NBA Draft's No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg, the long list of players to whom he has been compared, his strengths and weaknesses, and Ric's method -- and struggle -- to identify the c…

Ric discusses the events leading up to Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers and what could determine who is the next champion. He also dives into the controve…

Ric discusses the factors that led to the Oklahoma City Thunder tying their best-of-seven NBA Finals series with the Indiana Pacers at two wins apiece and what will decide who wins the supremely pivo…

Ric discusses the moves that Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made to win Game 3 and shares how he came to know Carlisle both as a person (and pianist) and coach.

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Ric discusses why the NBA Finals could prove to be transformative for the league and the blueprint for building championship teams.

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Ric discusses the shocking last-second win by the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals over the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder -- why it happened and whether or not the Pacers' chan…

Ric discusses why the Indiana Pacers could make the NBA Finals vs. the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder more competitive than expected, why Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be i…

Ric discusses the danger of anointing young NBA stars as can't-miss future champions or league MVPs as illustrated by the current projections for, and analysis of, Anthony Edwards with the Minnesota …

Ric discusses four topics: the differences between new and old media; what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has that Anthony Edwards doesn't; Gilgeous-Alexander's label as a foul hunter; and former Nuggets he…

In this four-topic episode, Ric discusses a manufactured story line for Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the unrealistic expectations Warriors fans had for Jimmy Butler, the misappropriation of the…

Ric dives into three current topics on the NBA landscape: remembrance of his personal experiences with Gregg Popovich, recently forced to step down after an extraordinary run as head coach of the San…

Ric discusses four hot topics involving the NBA playoffs: the many ways Jimmy Butler is indispensable for the Golden State Warriors, the overlooked excellence of the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero, …