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Artwork for On The Ball
NBA
Golden State Warriors
Lebron James
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic
Oklahoma City Thunder
Caitlin Clark
Victor Wembanyama
Nikola Jokic
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Dallas Mavericks
Boston Celtics
New York Knicks
Indiana Pacers
Denver Nuggets
WNBA
Minnesota Timberwolves
Steve Kerr
Anthony Edwards
Michael Jordan

A weekly sports podcast with inside information and one-of-a-kind perspective on the hottest topics and behind-the-scenes happenings from veteran NBA insider, author and TV analyst Ric Bucher. Find all his work at RicBucher.com. Support this show at supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends

Support this show supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes601Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for On The Ball

Latest Episodes

Did one bad Game 7 suddenly turn Chet Holmgren into a $240 million mistake?

In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher pushes back against the growing wave of criticism directed at Holmgren after the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder fell to ... more

The Western Conference Finals have become a referendum on two very different paths to greatness. In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down why the Oklahoma City Thunder's organizational depth is colliding with Victor Wembanyama’s singula... more

Ric Bucher checks in from Athens, Greece, where the EuroLeague Final Four is giving him a global view of basketball — while the NBA Conference Finals reveal what truly separates contenders from pretenders. Ric breaks down why the Thunder-Spurs matchu... more

Ric Bucher breaks down why the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade reports may be more manufactured NBA noise than actual movement, what the newest LeBron James-Lakers tension says about his future in Los Angeles, and why the 76ers’ Joel Embiid proble... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

John Carter
CEO of Noah Basketball Technology
Noah Basketball Technology
Episode: The Man Behind The Shooting Prowess of Every Final Four Team

Host

Ric Bucher
Ric Bucher, veteran NBA insider and TV analyst; has contributed to Fox Sports Radio and United We Cast, among others; host of On The Ball with Ric Bucher.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 560 ratings
  • Repetitive and Low Effort

    Ric has mailed it in on this podcast. Darn near every episode is Lakers and Warriors. Now that he is an NBA outsider, it is difficult to identify what Bucher brings to the table these days.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    danbeyer
    United States5 months ago
  • The LeBron Show

    Darn near every episode is LeBron and Warriors centric. Unfortunately, my last basketball podcast has steadily diminished and is now unrecognizable.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    danbeyer
    United States10 months ago
  • Nuanced analysis

    I love Ric’s decidedly non-hot-take style. The world would be a much better place if all media folks thought before they spoke. Keep it up, Ric.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    psimon88
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Show!!

    Have always enjoyed Bucher for decades but podcasts is an even better way to get his opinions! Maybe the only mainstream media member who gives Kobe fair coverage would love to see Ric have a bigger presence on fox as well and longer episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SkipSupporter
    United Statesa year ago
  • Hard to listen to

    It sounds like ric is reading to you a column for 30 minutes, trashing De’Aaron Fox. It is hard to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dagipej
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms note bias or topic drift, but many appreciate thoughtful discourse.
Praises measured, non-hot-take analysis and deep NBA knowledge.
Listeners enjoy insider perspectives and nuanced takes on media dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Quad Shot: Jokic Deserves Better, Suns At Their Worst, Kerr The Maestro, Request for LeBron Fans
Q: How do you reconcile all the nonsensical things that he says with your love and appreciation for him as a player?
Bucher admits to struggling with this reconciliation and raises questions about LeBron's statements and their impact on his legacy.
Quad Shot: Jokic Deserves Better, Suns At Their Worst, Kerr The Maestro, Request for LeBron Fans
Q: Why do I not hear anyone asking when the Denver Nuggets are going to get Nikola Jokic some help?
Bucher points out that the lack of questioning around Jokic's support is concerning and contrasts this with similar discussions around stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry.
The Man Behind The Shooting Prowess of Every Final Four Team
Q: When did you first take the technology to market or out there?
The first commercially available Noah product was sold in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The Man Behind The Shooting Prowess of Every Final Four Team
Q: What was the great resistance to adopting your technology in basketball?
Early on, many coaches and players believed that technology would complicate their shooting approach, adding more mental pressure rather than helping them improve.
Breaking Down Win Totals for All 30 NBA Teams, Part 2
Q: And how much do you believe former head coach Darwin Ham is responsible for that disappointment and underachievement? If you are feeling that way about last season?
Bucher indicates that the oddsmakers do not view getting rid of Ham as an addition by subtraction.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About On The Ball

What is On The Ball about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A veteran NBA insider dissects current and past seasons with a focus on player development, playoff narratives, and the evolving media landscape around star players like Wembanyama and LeBron. Episodes balance game analysis, roster construction, and strategic decisions with sharp takes on officiating, coachability, and the role of media in shaping public perception. The host often weaves in personal context and broader sports culture, offering a global lens on basketball and a consistently measured approach that contrasts with louder hot-take environments. Noteworthy are candid critiques of how platforms and narratives influence outcomes, plus deep dives into team dynamics, front-office moves, and the economics of modern basketball, making ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On The Ball?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On The Ball:

1. Open Floor: SI's NBA Show
2. Yahoo Sports NBA
3. Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
4. Finding The Seams
5. The Ringer NBA Show

How many episodes of On The Ball are there?

On The Ball launched 8 years ago and published 601 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on On The Ball include:

1. John Carter

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