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.

• How the Thunder’s 23–1 start (at time of recording) stacks up historically
• Why the 2025 MVP race is basically Shai vs Nikola Jokic (with Cade Cunningham lurking)
• The truth about SGA’s free throws:
• How often he really gets to the line vs Harden, Embiid, Barkley, Dantley, KD & others
• Why drawing fouls is a skill, not a scam
• How playoff whistles prove who’s legit and who’s gaming weak officiating
• Why blaming SGA for free throws is really about league rules, Adam Silver & the officiating mandate, not Shai
• A reality check on Steph Curry’s scoring titles with minimal free throws
• The real context behind the Jordan vs LeBron GOAT debate:
• MJ’s 10 scoring titles & free-throw numbers
• Why there was zero debate about the best player in the league during Jordan’s prime
• How LeBron’s era was full of real competition for “best in the league”
• What makes SGA the ideal modern franchise cornerstone: skill, temperament, leadership, and how he treats officials

Ric also touches on his upcoming third book, “The Value of Being Coachable: The Secret to How Legendary Performers Reach Their Highest Potential So That You Can Reach Yours”, coming in May.

00:30 – Ric’s intro: FS1, radio, new book, where to follow

01:20 – Setting the table: Why OKC’s 23–1 start matters

03:00 – SGA vs. Jokic: The MVP race nobody is talking about enough

05:00 – Why “free-throw merchant” criticisms of SGA miss the point

07:00 – Historical context: Harden, Embiid, KD, Barkley, Dantley, MJ

09:30 – MJ vs. LeBron discussion: What “best player alive” really looked like

12:00 – The art of drawing fouls: Why it *is* a superstar skill

14:00 – How SGA earns calls vs. Luka’s style and reaction to refs

16:00 – Why OKC’s organization + SGA’s leadership make him special

18:00 – Playoff proof: SGA’s FT attempts *increasing* under postseason physicality

20:00 – The real reason for the SGA hate: jealousy & fan-base resentment

22:00 – Bottom line: SGA as the league’s most complete two-way guard

23:30 – Closing thoughts + upcoming Finding The Seams & Fullcourt Passport

Follow Ric everywhere: @RicBucher on X, Instagram, Threads & Bluesky.

#OnTheBall #RicBucher #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #SGA #OKCThunder #OklahomaCityThunder #NikolaJokic #CadeCunningham #NBA #NBAMVP #JordanVsLeBron #FreeThrowMerchant #NBAHistory #NBAPodcast #BasketballAnalysis #AdamSilver #NBARefs

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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 previous game—signal deeper structural issues for L.A.

Then Ric breaks down the leaguewide blueprint emerging to stop the Lakers: force Luka to score while taking away his playmaking, a strategy that mirrors the Celtics’ approach in the 2022 Finals and threatens to turn the Lakers’ supporting cast into scapegoats.

Ric also digs into the bombshell ESPN report that Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Trae Young are all potentially available via trade—but that their value is so low they may only be tradable for each other. Ric explains why this marks a historic shift, which teams could realistically rehabilitate these stars, and why LaMelo may be the toughest sell of all.

Additional topics include:

• Why LeBron staying in games to protect scoring streaks hurts locker-room chemistry

• The danger of star-centric offenses that don’t produce wins

• Why the broadcast’s new “bench-level analysts” format causes awkward silences

• How Luka’s scoring-first nights may quietly divide the Lakers’ roster

• Which franchises actually have the infrastructure to revive Ja or Trae

If you want unfiltered NBA insight you won’t hear on TV, you’re in the right place.

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#OnTheBall #RicBucher #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #JaMorant #LaMeloBall #TraeYoung #NBATrades #UnitedWeCast #NBAPodcast #NBAAnalysis #JJRedick #LosAngelesLakers

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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 both teams -- one that involves Warriors' cornerstone Draymond Green. Ric also examines the ongoing feud between former NBA power forward Kenyon Martin and Green, as well as the war of words between former Warrior and current Dallas Maverick Klay Thompson and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, and ties both disputes together as a by-product of the Warriors' dynasty and a means of revenge for the way Green and Thompson carried themselves during those winning days.

#nba #warriors #grizzlies #draymondgreen #kenyonmartin #klaythompson #sacramentokings #NBAtradetalk

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

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