{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69696cfc17bb88de8d1380d8/69bcf035007cdcf83fac0820?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Andrew Gaze EXPOSES Global Hoops Reality: Why Asia Is Catching the NBA Faster Than You Think","description":"<p>PROGRAMMING NOTE: In the video version of this episode, a clip of guest Andrew Gaze appearing on \"Dancing With The Stars\" is played; as a result, there is a brief stretch of silence in this audio-only version right around the two-minute mark.</p><p><br></p><p>Australia’s GOAT Andrew Gaze joins Ric Bucher and Greg Stolt for a wildly revealing Pacific Rims episode that starts with <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> stories… and ends with a reality check on global basketball power.</p><p>From surviving China trips with the Melbourne Tigers to breaking down how the Chinese Basketball Association has exploded in talent, facilities, and resources—Gaze explains why Asia is no longer “developing”… it’s <em>arriving</em>.</p><p>He also pulls back the curtain on:</p><ul><li>Why early international stars lacked NBA confidence (and today’s don’t)</li><li>How Australia quietly <em>exported its basketball brain</em> across Asia</li><li>The NIL era flipping global talent pipelines upside down</li><li>His biggest career regret: passing on the NBA when the door was open</li><li>And why today’s global game is more competitive—and more connected—than ever</li></ul><p>Plus: the hilarious origin story of Bucher nearly getting stranded in China… and saved by Gaze.</p><p>If you think the NBA still owns basketball development, think again.</p><h2>⏱️ TIME STAMPS</h2><p><strong>00:00</strong> Welcome to Pacific Rims</p><p> <strong>00:52</strong> Andrew Gaze intro + “Australia’s GOAT” claim</p><p> <strong>01:10</strong> New Air Club sponsor read</p><p> <strong>02:00</strong> Dancing with the Stars + beating Chris Hemsworth 👀</p><p> <strong>06:37</strong> Bucher’s China survival story (Gaze to the rescue)</p><p> <strong>07:50</strong> China’s basketball boom: talent, money, infrastructure</p><p> <strong>10:40</strong> Australia exporting coaches &amp; elevating Asia</p><p> <strong>13:30</strong> Gaze’s Seton Hall journey + global recruiting evolution</p><p> <strong>18:50</strong> NCAA controversy + missed NBA opportunity</p><p> <strong>21:30</strong> Why early international players lacked NBA confidence</p><p> <strong>24:30</strong> Dirk, Dražen &amp; the global breakthrough era</p><p> <strong>28:00</strong> NIL vs NBL: global talent war begins</p><p> <strong>32:00</strong> Coaching his son + “coachability” plug</p><p> <strong>34:00</strong> Yuki Kawamura + Japan’s rise (Bulls, national team)</p><p> <strong>42:30</strong> Asian Games cuts + parity problem</p><p> <strong>45:00</strong> Outro</p><h2>🏷️ HASHTAGS</h2><p>#PacificRims #AndrewGaze #InternationalBasketball #NBAGlobal #NBL #CBA #NIL #BasketballDevelopment #YaoMing #JapanBasketball #NBA #UnitedWeCast</p>","author_name":"Ric Bucher"}