On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric examines the obstacles today's men and women face covering the league and how the Wizards turned the tables on the Indiana Pacers in their play-in game to advance to face the top-seeded Philadelp…

Ric takes a close look at the theatrics and desultory performances by the superstars in the Lakers' 103-100 win over the Warriors in their play-in game and what it means for the two teams' playoff fo…

Ric looks at the results of the first play-in games and explains how the ultra-competitive Hornets owner Michael Jordan views his franchise, as well as how ultra-energy guy Russell Westbrook's fatal …

Ric discusses Tim Duncan's Hall of Fame induction speech and examines the clamor for Warriors guard Steph Curry as this year's MVP.

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Ric examines the Oklahoma City Thunder's complete and unapologetic commitment to losing for the last two months and why the league has not said a word about one of the most overt tanking jobs in NBA …

Ric examines how the pandemic could affect the way selected media cast their votes for the NBA's regular season awards and the various methods teams have tried to influence his vote.

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Ric discusses why the current Golden State Warriors' stars, Steph Curry and Draymond Green, are uniquely suited to lead the band of unknown and unsung players around them.

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Ric offers a few takeaways from the Lakers' overtime win against the Knicks and explains why Russell Westbrook surpassing Oscar Robertson's career record for triple-doubles hasn't garnered him more r…

Ric fills in the details behind his recent social media post about a high school star sitting out a game and discusses the response, along with a look at what load management actually involves at the…

Ric examines why the Pelicans, despite two All-Star talents in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, are headed to the lottery once again -- and the statistical category that has loomed large determini…

With Lakers guard Dennis Schröder under Covid-19 restrictions, and his earlier suggestion that he and LeBron James had not been vaccinated, Ric examines if differing opinions on the vaccine might be …

Ric discusses why he believes the two-time defending MVP, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, is not receiving much attention for this year's award and why he should be.

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Ric examines the arguments made for Knicks power forward Julius Randle being one of the NBA's top 20 players. Also: how Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer touched on a baseball issue that also is a problem…

Ric examines the recent torrid scoring streak by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, his MVP worthiness because of it and why it hasn't produced more wins for the team overall.

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Ric explains how Kevin Durant provided the Golden State Warriors a vital element in the two championships they won together -- and how he'll have to provide that same element if the Brooklyn Nets hop…

Ric outlines why there's no reason to take sports lists or rankings seriously, including the recent one by ESPN naming the top 25 NBA players under the age of 25. Also: how the current circumstances …

Ric examines if player empowerment has gone too far, discusses how he believes the Clippers are different from last year's disappointing version and the entertaining sight of the league's best player…

Ric examines the many failures surrounding Magic Johnson's claim that no point guard has a higher basketball IQ than the New Orleans Pelicans' Lonzo Ball and why Milwaukee Bucks' star Giannis Antetok…

Ric examines why he still isn't sold on the Brooklyn Nets as the best team in the Eastern Conference, the difference between Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving and the player the Clippers have to move i…

Ric examines how three-point shooting has defined which teams have both surprised and disappointed so far this season, the dramatic shift in the number of 3s being shot over the last 10 years, and wh…