x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

On The Ball with Ric Bucher

Ric Bucher, NBA insider and Fox Sports NBA analyst

A weekly sports podcast with inside information and perspective from veteran NBA insider and Fox Sports analyst Ric Bucher, along with NBA players, coaches, executives and media as occasional guests Support this show at http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friendsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

sports basketball

All Episodes

29:56

All-Star Voting Is About to Expose the LeBron Reality...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2026/01/15

This episode of On The Ball hits two hot-button topics with one throughline: who gets to shape the story—players, fans, media… or the loudest clip on social media.First, Ric breaks down his NBA All-Star starting fives and why this year’s ballot was shockingly simple—while the bigger question looms: what happens if LeBron James doesn’t “make it” the traditional way? Ric digs into the realities of fan/media/player voting, the new All-Star format, and why the definition of “All-Star” keeps

en

38:37

Trae Young to the Wizards?! Why the Hawks “Supermax...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2026/01/09

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher unloads on the NBA’s most uncomfortable truths: why “tanking” is getting harder to justify, why a rumored Trae Young-to-Washington deal would be less about basketball and more about money + leverage, and why the supermax era is changing (maybe forever). Ric also tackles the loudest Warriors debate—why fans coming for Steve Kerr are missing the point—and explains what Steph’s late-career reality actually means in the new salary-cap NBA. Then Ric turns his

en

27:12

The NBA’s 65-Game Rule Is Doing Its Job — Stop Trying...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2026/01/02

Nikola Jokic goes down with a knee injury — and suddenly the volume spikes to kill the NBA’s 65-game minimum for MVP and All-NBA eligibility. Coincidence? Or the latest example of the league (and its loudest voices) trying to rewrite the definition of greatness in real time?In the first On The Ball episode of 2026, Ric Bucher explains why the 65-game rule shouldn’t be rescinded just because a superstar might miss out. Awards aren’t about who we think should win based on peak moments, reputation, or

en

27:36

The Poison Pill of Aging Champions: Why the Lakers &...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/12/27

The NBA loves a fairytale ending — legends riding off into the sunset with one last ring. But the reality is harsher: aging championship stars can become a “poison pill” for franchises, locking teams into oversized salaries, outdated roster-building, and stalled player development.In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down why it’s so difficult to break up a title-winning core — and why the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are the latest examples of teams paying the price for

en

31:11

When Championships Become the Only Measure: Steve...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/12/19

In this double-shot episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric takes on two of the NBA’s most emotionally charged debates: Is Steve Kerr really holding the Golden State Warriors back — and why has championship-or-bust become the only standard by which star players are judged?With Warriors fans calling for Steve Kerr’s firing, Ric breaks down why blaming the coach misses the bigger picture. From lineup decisions and player development to defensive priorities and roster limitations, Ric explains why

en

25:39

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is NOT a “Free-Throw...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/12/11

Welcome back to On The Ball with Ric Bucher on the United Wecast Network.In this episode, Ric dives deep into why calling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a “free-throw merchant” is one of the dumbest narratives in the league right now — and how it’s overshadowing a potentially historic season from both SGA and the 23–1 Oklahoma City Thunder.🔥 In this episode:How the Thunder’s 23–1 start (at time of recording) stacks up historicallyWhy the 2025 MVP race is basically Shai vs Nikola Jokic (with Cade

en

29:27

Why the Lakers Are On Thin Ice: LeBron’s Disconnect,...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/12/04

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher delivers one of his most detailed breakdowns yet on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers, the viral moment that exposed LeBron James’ disconnect, and why their chemistry is quietly fraying beneath the surface.Ric walks through the full context behind the clip of LeBron ignoring a play call, Luka Doncic’s confusion, and JJ Redick’s stunned timeout. He explains why LeBron’s lack of energy, defensive effort, and off-ball engagement—despite sitting out the

en

25:13

A Warriors-Kings Trade That Makes Sense and Payback...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/11/26

In this episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric dissects the rumor of renewed future trade talks between two struggling teams, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, that would involve Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Moses Moody for Kings All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis and promising young guard Keon Ellis. Ric explains why the deal would be a slam dunk for the Warriors but makes no sense for the Kings, and proposes a more scintillating but controversial trade that would benefit

en

29:35

What LeBron's Return Means for the Lakers & an...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/11/20

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down LeBron James’ long-awaited season debut—and why the box score doesn’t tell the truth about how the 40-year-old superstar actually looked against the Utah Jazz. Bucher digs deep into what LeBron’s return means for the Lakers’ chemistry, the Luka-LeBron power shift, and why L.A.’s defensive issues may only get tougher to solve.Ric also revisits his assessment of Anthony Davis, revealing how AD’s early-career reputation, his time alongside LeBron,

en

30:15

Nico Harrison -- Culprit or Fall Guy?

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/11/13

🎧 In this On The Ball episode, Ric Bucher breaks down the full story behind the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers — and the firing of GM Nico Harrison that followed.Bucher exposes the real dynamics inside the Mavericks front office, from owner Patrick Dumont’s reactionary leadership to how Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi ended up sharing power after Harrison’s exit. He also reveals why Luka’s conditioning, Anthony Davis’ injuries, and Kyrie Irving’s return

en

31:19

Ja Morant's Future, Zion's Stagnation & Wemby's Rise:...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/11/06

In this episode of On The Ball (United WeCast Network), Ric Bucher breaks down the widening gap between American-born NBA stars and their international counterparts — and what it says about player development, discipline, and leadership in today’s game.Bucher dives into the latest around Ja Morant, including front-office chatter about his trade value, locker-room issues, and whether the Memphis Grizzlies can still build around him. He compares Ja’s stalled maturity and Zion Williamson’s lack of

en

32:55

Riley Goes Euro, Ant's Missing Ingredient, Odd...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/10/30

On The Ball with Ric Bucher delivers sharp, no-nonsense NBA analysis from veteran insider Ric Bucher (FS1, Fox Sports Radio) on the United WeCast Network. In this episode, Ric examines how the NBA’s entertainment engine shapes today’s game and player development, contrasting it with EuroLeague and international club systems. He spotlights Pat Riley’s shift toward international talent with the Miami Heat, why European training (movement, passing, team concepts) is closing the gap, and how global

en

36:16

NBA Opening Night Torch Passing & The Mindset That Is...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/10/22

Ric opens On the Ball by introducing his upcoming book, The Value of Being Coachable, which highlights lessons from legends like Steph Curry and Brandi Chastain, and outlines his three weekly shows—Full Court Passport (international hoops), On the Ball (solo NBA analysis), and Finding the Seams (with Brendan Haywood on college-to-pro transitions). He recaps the NBA’s opening games, noting Oklahoma City’s poise vs. Houston’s promise and calling the Warriors-Lakers matchup a clear sign that the

en

25:45

Warriors' Dilemma: Small Ball Has Become Tall Ball

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/10/15

Ric dives into an in-depth analysis of why the Golden State Warriors may struggle to match last season’s success despite Steph Curry’s brilliance and Jimmy Butler’s leadership. He argues that the NBA’s evolution toward “tall ball”—skilled, athletic bigs replacing traditional small-ball lineups—has neutralized the Warriors’ once-revolutionary style. Buecher also explores how aging stars like Draymond Green face diminishing impact, why team success naturally cycles due to the salary cap, and how fans’

en

41:28

The State of Kuminga and LeBron's Decision of All...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/10/06

Ric discusses how restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga looked in his first appearance since ending a summer-long stalemate on a two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James announcing that he has a forthcoming "Decision of All Decisions" to make. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

40:23

Why Is Dennis Schröder an NBA Journeyman But...

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/09/17

Ric provides a recap of the EuroBasket 2025 championship and examines why point guard Dennis Schröder has had so much recent success with the German national team -- MVP of the 2023 World Cup and EuroBasket 2025 -- yet has been an NBA journeyman, holding the record for most NBA teams played for by a foreign player. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

24:31

Slovenia Cries Foul and the NBA Rolls Over

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/09/12

Ric discusses Slovenia's complaints after its loss to Germany in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals and the NBA altering its rules to encourage more last-second heaves at the end of quarters.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

31:20

Micky's Jab and the Anatomy of EuroBasket 2025 Upsets

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/09/09

Ric discusses recent events at the James Naismith Hall of Fame induction ceremony, including Miami Heat owner Micky Arison making fun of LeBron James falling five championships short of his promise to Heat fans. Also covered: upset wins by Finland over Serbia and Georgia over France to open the round of 16 in the current EuroBasket 2025 competition. (Here is the link to the Acast show survey mentioned in the podcast: http://bit.ly/ontheballwithricbucher-survey)Support this show

en

37:03

What the Ballmer-Kawhi Bombshell Proves

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/09/05

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 star forward Kawhi Leonard additional payment for a no-show role with an outside company, as well as updates on performances by NBA players currently competing in EuroBasket 2025, including the Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (Israel) and the Atlanta Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher (France). (Also, a request

en

30:14

Luka Doncic Vs. Random Guy In A Suit

On The Ball with Ric Bucher ·

2025/09/01

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. (Also, a request to listeners: please fill out this survey so that Acast and On The Ball can better serve you: http://bit.ly/ontheballwithricbucher-survey)Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

165 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN