On The Ball with Ric Bucher

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 ha…

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 …

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 insati…

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…

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 Bow…

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…

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…

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 Bleac…

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 Clippe…

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 Jam…

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.…

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 …

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 …

Ric reflects on the impact made by Ft. Worth-Dallas sports figure Roger B. Brown, Sacramento Kings beat writer Marty McNeal and Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Also: who and what to blame when your team…

Ric questions the accuracy of describing Michael Jordan as a bully, the possibility of a player today operating the same way, two numbers never considered when comparing MJ and LeBron. Ric also discu…

Ric examines several controversial topics in the ESPN documentary "The Last Dance," including what the 1992 Dream Team really represented and why Isiah Thomas was excluded from it.

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Ric knows the two combatants as well as anyone and pinpoints why Charles has taken shots at Draymond for years and why the general criticism of Draymond's contract, conduct and accomplishments all mi…

Ric & Will discuss how Michael Jordan has changed since his playing days, why the Baltimore Ravens consistently draft well, the secret ingredient every college DB needs to make it in the NFL and the …

Ric gets to turn the tables on Fox Sports TV/Radio star Colin Cowherd and ask the questions. Colin explains why his ideal golf foursome would not include an athlete, the one athlete he hasn't intervi…

Ric identifies the aspects of Jordan's character that have led to his timelessness, along with the disservice done to today's stars that diminishes their chances of ever eclipsing Jordan's accomplish…