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Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends.
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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 could still reshape how this blockbuster trade is judged.
🏀 Honest analysis. Real reporting. No spin.
Subscribe to On The Ball with Ric Bucher for deeper insight into the NBA stories others won’t tell.
#OnTheBall #RicBucher #DallasMavericks #LukaDoncic #NicoHarrison #LosAngelesLakers #AnthonyDavis #NBA #KyrieIrving #NBATrades #BasketballPodcast #NBAAnalysis #UnitedWeCast
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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 evolution to the steady growth and professionalism of Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo — stars who treat the game as craft, not performance.
Ric also examines why American player development has fallen behind Europe’s, how Pat Riley’s shift toward international talent reflects a changing NBA, and what the Chicago Bulls’ surprising start reveals about teamwork over showmanship.
From leadership accountability to the future of U.S. basketball, this episode challenges the culture of “flash over fundamentals” and asks the question: What happened to making American players great again?
🎧 Listen to On The Ball with Ric Bucher for sharp NBA insight every week — plus Fullcourt Passport (Mondays) and Finding The Seams (Fridays) for international and inside-basketball stories across the global game.
#JaMorant #ZionWilliamson #VictorWembanyama #RicBucher #OnTheBall #NBA #PatRiley #MemphisGrizzlies #SanAntonioSpurs #BasketballPodcast #NBAAnalysis #UnitedWeCast
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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 stars like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama are redefining MVP conversations.
Ric then zooms into on-court problem solving: why scorers must also be playmakers, using Anthony Edwards’ struggles vs. a box-and-one as a case study, and why teams like the Rockets (even with Kevin Durant) need a true table-setter. He breaks down Ime Udoka’s blueprint for maximizing KD (pinch-post touches, free-throw-line catches), and offers practical context on early-season rotations and experimentation—citing the Warriors, Steve Kerr, and how constraints from sports science impact lineups. If you want basketball talk that connects NBA strategy, international hoops, and player development—with clear takeaways you won’t hear elsewhere—subscribe and follow @RicBucher for weekly episodes.
📚 Coming soon: Ric’s new book, The Value of Being Coachable, featuring lessons from Stephen Curry, Steve Young, Brandi Chastain, and more.
Follow @RicBucher on X, Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky — and tune in for NBA insight that cuts deeper than the headlines.
#NBA #BasketballPodcast #RicBucher #OnTheBall #UnitedWeCast #NBATalk #SportsPodcast #BasketballAnalysis #NBANews #BasketballCulture
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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 league’s “tall ball” era has replaced small ball. Ric notes LeBron James’s disengaged demeanor and fading leverage, praises Jonathan Kuminga’s promising play, and transitions to his main topic: how environment and mentorship shape young stars such as Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey. Using their situations to contrast development paths, he argues that American basketball’s obsession with athletic highlights over winning habits—exemplified by Mikey Williams’s social-media fame—has stunted homegrown growth while internationally trained players thrive through IQ, fundamentals, and team success.
#NBA #Utah Jazz #Dallas Mavericks #GoldenStateWarriors #Los Angeles Lakers #HoustonRockets #OKCThunder #NBADraft
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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’ expectations of perpetual contention are unrealistic. He concludes with sharp commentary on LeBron James’ rumored discontent with the Lakers, calling it a hollow narrative since no contender can or would trade for his $52 million contract, asserting that LeBron’s leverage and championship window have effectively closed.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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 to listeners: please fill out this survey so that Acast and On The Ball can better serve you: http://bit.ly/ontheballwithricbucher-survey)
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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.
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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 Victor Wembanyama describing his pre-game routine and why it bodes well for both him and the Spurs. (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)
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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 better player than the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark.
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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 five teams who had the most impactful offseason moves.
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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 most powerful basketball agents in Europe. Part II of the podcast looks at the federal investigations into several NBA players and their part in suspicious activity involving prop bets that hinged on their performance.
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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 percentage of league revenue. Included is a look at how NBA players successfully used the All-Star Game in 1964 to persuade the league to establish a pension program.
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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 discussed: comments by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steve Nash about Michael Jordan's mid-career retirement following the murder of his father.
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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 current player he sees as Cooper's ideal comparison.
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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 controversy surrounding Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and whether or not the WNBA needs to implement more protective measures to address how opponents play her.
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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 pivotal Game 5 in Oklahoma City.
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