On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric examines the offseason moves by the Brooklyn Nets, which suggest big men are not essential for winning a championship.

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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…

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 …

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 …

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 insu…

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 …

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.

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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.

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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 announc…

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 Olym…

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.

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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 …

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 p…

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.

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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.

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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: unli…

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 L…

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.

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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 co…

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 ab…