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Artwork for On The Ball
NBA
Stephen Curry
Lebron James
Golden State Warriors
Michael Jordan
Steve Kerr
Lakers
Ja Morant
Joel Embiid
NBA All-Star Game
Kevin Durant
Jordan Poole
76ers
Warriors
Cleveland Cavaliers
Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls
Boston Celtics
Phoenix Suns
Draymond Green

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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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes590Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsNewsBasketballSports News

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Artwork for On The Ball

Latest Episodes

On this episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric dives into two things he’d love to see abolished from today’s NBA: the whistle-hunting blocking foul and the blind loyalty that turns every fan debate into tribal warfare.

Ric opens by saluting the... more

On this episode of On The Ball with Ric Bucher, Ric digs into the fallout from Bam Adebayo’s shocking 83-point explosion against the Washington Wizards — and explains why the number itself is far less important than how it happened.

Ric argues that ... more

Is the NBA draft lottery rigged to reward losing? Veteran NBA insider Ric Bucher sits down with Dr. TJ Highley, Associate Professor of Math & Computer Science at LaSalle University, who has developed a groundbreaking anti-tanking formula that could c... more

Fans don’t just want their teams to win anymore — they want the sport itself to be flawless: perfect coaching, perfect officiating, perfect behavior, perfect “fairness,” perfect outcomes. In this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher explains why that e... more

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Recent Guests

John Carter
CEO of Basketball Technology, used by 28 NBA teams and hundreds of college programs.
Episode: Digging Deeper into the AD-Doncic Trade and the SGA-Joker MVP Debate

Host

Ric Bucher
Veteran NBA insider and host of the show, known for measured, data-informed commentary and deep industry perspective.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 558 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 States3 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 States8 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 States10 months 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 critics note perceived bias or political tangents at times, but many praise the depth of analysis and storytelling.
Overall, listeners praise the host for being knowledgeable, balanced, and deeply informed about NBA topics.
Positive feedback frequently highlights the show's measured approach and willingness to engage complex topics beyond basketball.

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

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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 sharp, opinionated NBA-focused show that blends in-depth analysis with behind-the-scenes perspectives on how teams, players, and media narratives unfold. Listeners can expect rigorous debates on tanking, player valuation, league governance, and the evolving media landscape, often anchored by long-form takes and data-informed context. The host's voice is widely recognized for measured, deeply sourced commentary, occasional controversy, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. A standout trait is the willingness to tackle broader sports-media issues alongside basketball, making it valuable for listeners who want thoughtful, non-hot-take analysis plus timely reactions to current events in the NBA and beyond.

Potential sponsors an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On The Ball?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On The Ball:

1. All The Smoke
2. Finding The Seams
3. Pablo Torre Finds Out
4. The Watch
5. Open Floor: SI's NBA Show

How many episodes of On The Ball are there?

On The Ball launched 8 years ago and published 590 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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