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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Ric discusses the moves that Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made to win Game 3 and shares how he came to know Carlisle both as a person (and pianist) and coach.

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Ric discusses why the NBA Finals could prove to be transformative for the league and the blueprint for building championship teams.

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Ric discusses the shocking last-second win by the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals over the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder -- why it happened and whether or not the Pacers' chance of winning the series should be re-evaluated.

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Ric discusses why the Indiana Pacers could make the NBA Finals vs. the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder more competitive than expected, why Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be in the conversation for top 5 point guards of all-time if he wins this year's title and Finals MVP, and why rumors that the Lakers are hoping guard Bronny James -- son of LeBron -- can be in their playing rotation next season has to happen -- for Bronny's sake.

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Ric discusses the danger of anointing young NBA stars as can't-miss future champions or league MVPs as illustrated by the current projections for, and analysis of, Anthony Edwards with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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Ric discusses four topics: the differences between new and old media; what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has that Anthony Edwards doesn't; Gilgeous-Alexander's label as a foul hunter; and former Nuggets head coach Mike Malone's prospects of landing another head-coaching job.

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In this four-topic episode, Ric discusses a manufactured story line for Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, the unrealistic expectations Warriors fans had for Jimmy Butler, the misappropriation of the latest Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese conflict and the kibosh on small-market fans complaining the NBA favors big stars and big markets.

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Ric dives into three current topics on the NBA landscape: remembrance of his personal experiences with Gregg Popovich, recently forced to step down after an extraordinary run as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs because of health issues; the debate over whether Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks would be best served continuing to join forces, and a disturbing secondary debate inspired by one of Ric's TV clips; and, finally, the question of why Luka Doncic's level of conditioning continues to be an issue.

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Ric discusses four hot topics involving the NBA playoffs: the many ways Jimmy Butler is indispensable for the Golden State Warriors, the overlooked excellence of the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero, the quizzically friendly banter between LeBron James and Anthony Edwards in the final minutes of a closely contested Game 3 and how a change in officiating has contributed to the most highly competitive and entertaining playoff series we've seen in years.

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Ric discusses recent comments by members of LeBron James' circle that devalue his supporting casts and examines Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison's responses in a recent no-camera, closed-door press conference to questions concerning the team's decision to deal franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers at the February trade deadline.

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Ric discusses the behind-the-scenes events that led to yet another NBA head coach, Mike Malone of the Denver Nuggets, unexpectedly being fired by a team on the cusp of going to the playoffs.

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In this latest edition of the Quad Shot, Ric presents why Denver Nuggets' center Nikola Jokic has less talent around him than LeBron James or Steph Curry; the astonishing lack of competitive fire being displayed by the Phoenix Suns; the process through which Golden State Warriors' coach Steve Kerr has built an undefeated starting lineup (and quieted his critics); and his request for help in reconciling recent head-scratching comments by LeBron James.

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