Finding The Seams

It’s a post-holiday edition of Finding The Seams with Ric Bucher and NBA champ Brendan Haywood, and it starts with Brendan attempting a 72-hour fast (yes, really) before the conversation turns into a full-on NBA culture and contenders breakdown.The guys dive into why the San Antonio Spurs are 3-0 vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, what that says about Victor Wembanyama vs Chet Holmgren, and why OKC may have accidentally given the Spurs something dangerous: confidence. Then the focus shifts to the Los Angeles Lakers, where JJ Redick’s blunt “we don’t care enough” message meets a harsh NBA truth: the ultimate “or what?” moment—because you can’t just bench LeBron James or Luka Doncic.From there, Ric and Brendan connect the dots on the Warriors’ culture cracks, Draymond Green vs Steve Kerr, and why the organization—not just the coach—has to set the tone. They close with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ puzzling regression, debating Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley—and who you’d actually build around.Timestamps00:00 – Show intro: college-to-pro jump, roster battles 00:43 – Post-holiday check-in: Brendan attempts a 72-hour fast 02:06 – Best holiday gifts + sneaker talk + “Varnel Hill” swagger jokes 05:29 – Spurs vs OKC: why San Antonio is a real problem for the Thunder 08:26 – Spurs’ advantage: multiple ball-handlers + Wemby mismatch 09:21 – Wemby vs Chet: “battery in Chet’s back” + intensity discussion 11:39 – Brendan’s LeBron story: hard foul, forearm shiver, respect 14:48 – Lakers: JJ Redick’s frustration after blowout loss 17:19 – Houston’s athleticism exposes Lakers’ limits 17:50 – The NBA coaching reality: the ultimate “Or what?” moment 20:00 – Why that “or what” can damage coaching authority long-term 21:45 – Lakers roster construction + defense problem without elite rim protection 24:01 – LeBron’s discomfort in a Luka-led reality 26:53 – Lakers & Warriors parallels: aging cores, defensive strain 28:18 – Warriors: Kerr/Dray tension and discipline vs culture 30:45 – Pop coaching Tim Duncan: how great orgs set the standard 33:36 – Why front offices must back the coach (Miami model) 35:09 – Warriors’ “last gasp” argument + payroll/roster trap 37:58 – Cavaliers: what’s gone wrong, young guys not progressing 42:15 – Cavs “value ranking”: Mobley vs Mitchell vs Garland debate 46:44 – Outro: will Brendan survive the fast? (stay tuned) #FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #JJRedick #Spurs #Wembanyama #Thunder #ChetHolmgren #Warriors #DraymondGreen #SteveKerr #Cavaliers #DonovanMitchell #DariusGarland #EvanMobley #NBAPodcast

The very hydrated Brendan Haywood returns with Ric Bucher for another wild episode of Finding The Seams—starting with a new invention request: a hydration button (because Brendan’s mic is picking up everything). From there, it’s a hoops-to-life rollercoaster: Brendan gets rerouted to Champaign, Illinois and is forced to fly coach for the first time in forever—and he reacts like a 7-footer trapped in a sardine can.Then the guys break down the NBA Cup Final: why the New York Knicks flipped the game late, what it says about their title contender status in a shaky East, and what Victor Wembanyama still needs late in games (mid-post “meat and potatoes,” not tween-tween step-backs).They also dive into the growing OKC vs Spurs tension and why that matchup could turn into a long-term rivalry—plus a spicy conversation about generational talent (Wemby vs SGA) and what championship bigs usually need: elite guard play.Finally, the Lakers soap opera returns: LeBron vs Luka dynamics, the “who takes the technical FT?” moment, Luka gifting teammates e-bikes, and Brendan’s brutally funny take on LeBron as the cheapest billionaire (with a twist: sponsorship gifting). And yes—there’s also the legendary story of Brendan selling jersey numbers for real money.#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #NBACup #NewYorkKnicks #SanAntonioSpurs #VictorWembanyama #Wemby #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #SGA #OKCThunder #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #NBAAnalysis #BasketballPodcast #NBAStories #SportsPodcast

Rich Paul and Max Kellerman launched a new podcast — and Rich came out swinging. Ric Bucher and NBA champ Brendan Haywood react to Rich Paul questioning the Lakers’ ceiling, whether LeBron can adjust to the Luka Doncic show, and why some of Rich’s “solutions” don’t actually solve anything.Then the guys pivot to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s ruthless, no-days-off mindset — and why Brendan believes this OKC group is more locked in than recent champions who coasted after winning it all. Plus: a freshman you need to know in college hoops, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, and a hilarious debate on what $500K really means to an NBA vet.00:00 Intro + “bald head life chooses you” 03:10 Rich Paul goes public: “Why say this now?” 06:35 Lakers ceiling + “easy to guard” debate 10:20 LeBron’s new reality: “It’s the Luka show” 14:40 Why LeBron-as-screener doesn’t create an advantage 18:10 Locker-room fallout: Austin Reaves / JJ Redick / Luka perspective 22:30 Spurs game as a playoff warning sign 25:40 What the Lakers actually need (elite 3-and-D wing) 28:40 OKC is DIFFERENT: hunger, defense, and culture 33:15 SGA mindset story: choosing Kentucky to compete, not cruise 36:40 College scouting spotlight: Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler 40:10 NBA Cup Vegas + “putting 500K on black?!” 43:10 Wrap + where to catch the show liveHashtags: #FindingTheSeams #NBA #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #RichPaul #ClutchSports #AustinReaves #JJRedick #OKCThunder #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #CollegeBasketball #IllinoisBasketball #UnitedWecast

On this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood break down a wild week around the league, starting with the Chris Paul–Los Angeles Clippers breakup and what really went down behind the scenes. From CP3’s “you are the load” jab at Kawhi Leonard to getting cut in the middle of the night, Brendan explains why aging stars have to read their new script and adjust their tone when they’re no longer All-Stars.The guys then pivot to LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the Lakers, and why LeBron’s body language, effort and on-court “silent protest” could become a real chemistry problem in L.A. Is this actually Luka and Austin Reaves’ team now, and does LeBron even fit with this roster?Next up: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. Should he stay loyal and try to win another ring with the Bucks, or treat his career like a business and chase the best championship situation elsewhere after the Damian Lillard saga?Ric and Brendan also dive into the report that Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Trae Young and Zion Williamson are all potentially gettable — but only as “distressed assets.” Who would you trade for? Who has the most value? Why do some stars insist on adopting a fake “hood” persona once they make the league?Along the way you’ll hear:Why CP3’s reputation means his Clippers exit won’t scare free agents from L.A.Why Trae Young still has the highest trade value of the “problem” starsHow Pat Riley once found out exactly how much Eddy Curry spent at Taco BellWhy Luka in shape is terrifying, even if his habits haven’t totally changedIf you care about superstar ego, aging curves, trade value and real locker room dynamics, this is a must-listen.#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #ChrisPaul #Clippers #KawhiLeonard #Lakers #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #Giannis #JaMorant #TraeYoung #LaMeloBall #ZionWilliamson #NBAPodcast

In this episode of Finding The Seams, longtime analyst Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood celebrate Brendan’s Thanksgiving birthday before diving into the surging heat around Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, why former players are suddenly tearing them down, and whether this era is uniquely toxic—or whether microphones just got louder. Brendan reveals how older players used to talk, how locker-room hierarchy works, why respect matters, and what really defines a great defender in today’s NBA.They also break down: • Reed Sheppard’s breakout week and whether his shooting is enough for Houston’s playoff hopes • Why effort and angles matter more than athleticism on defense • Why Toronto’s new lineup and chemistry are quietly legitimate • How hierarchy, sacrifice, and coaching actually separate contenders from pretenders🔥 FULL EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 01:28 – Brendan’s Thanksgiving birthday & family traditions 06:40 – Why Draymond & Klay are getting attacked 11:55 – The myth of Draymond “not surviving in other eras” 17:20 – Why comparing NBA eras is pointless 23:18 – Draymond’s real Hall of Fame case 29:44 – Klay Thompson vs. the Miami Heat bench 34:00 – The importance of veteran respect 40:15 – Brendan’s Antoine Walker story 47:10 – Reed Sheppard’s rise & Houston’s point guard question 55:05 – What makes a defender “bad”? 1:01:18 – Toronto Raptors: real or early-season mirage? 1:12:30 – Why hierarchy & sacrifice make teams winners 1:18:55 – Brendan’s birthday “daddy” moment (must-hear) 1:22:40 – Closing & how to join the live show#FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBA #NBAPodcast #DraymondGreen #KlayThompson #Warriors #NBALegends #BasketballCulture #NBAEras #HoustonRockets #ReedSheppard #TorontoRaptors #NBAAnalysis #BasketballPodcast

Ric Bucher and NBA champion Brendan Haywood dig into some uncomfortable truths about the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James and Luka Dončić, then pivot to why Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons might be more dangerous than last year’s Cavs.LeBron makes his season debut for the Lakers alongside Luka and Austin Reaves, but Ric and Brendan ask the big question: Is this team actually built to win playoff series or just regular-season games? They break down why taking minutes from Marcus Smart, playing three poor defenders on the perimeter, and relying on a 40-year-old LeBron could be a fatal flaw come May and June.From there, the guys get into free throws and foul-drawing as a real NBA skill. They compare Luka, Austin Reaves and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to James Harden, explain why some stars keep getting to the line in the playoffs while others don’t, and how defenses should really be guarding elite scorers who “live at the line.”Then it’s on to the East: why Cade Cunningham’s playmaking, size and IQ make the Pistons more than just a feel-good story, why the Eastern Conference is wide open, and how veterans with championship experience (think Alex Caruso) can elevate a young contender. Brendan also pulls back the curtain on the 2015 Cavaliers’ switch to drop coverage, how that changed their season, and what “good teams” really care about during the regular season.To close, Brendan shares a scouting report on Georgetown’s KJ Lewis, then walks through exactly what NBA scouts look for in bigs, guards and wings in today’s positionless league — and why Summer League is where the truth comes out.Timestamps – Finding The Seams w/ Ric Bucher & Brendan Haywood:01:30 – LeBron’s Lakers debut vs Jazz: Fit with Luka & Austin Reaves06:30 – Can LeBron be a third option? Age, defense & lineup trade-offs11:30 – “Three cones on defense”: Why Lakers’ wing defense is a playoff problem18:30 – Luka & Reaves at the line: Free throws, foul-baiting & James Harden comparisons24:30 – Playoff whistle: Why SGA’s foul game holds up and Harden’s didn’t27:30 – How Boston beat Luka: Take away lobs & corner threes, then make him guard31:30 – Why OKC is built to punish the Lakers: Dort, Cason Wallace, J-Dub & Caruso33:30 – Detroit Pistons & Cade Cunningham: Are they more than last year’s Cavs?38:30 – Playmakers vs pure scorers in the playoffs: Why Cade’s “mismatch ability” matters41:00 – The value of championship vets: Caruso, locker room truth-tellers & habits41:45 – 73-win Warriors cautionary tale: Winning vs real execution44:30 – Inside the 2015 Cavs: Ty Lue’s drop coverage change and why it worked47:00 – Georgetown vs Clemson recap: KJ Lewis scouting report48:30 – How scouts evaluate prospects: What translates from college to NBA51:00 – Closing: Tech issues, family cameos & how to watch the show live👉 Like what you hear? Follow Finding The Seams on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen, and leave a rating and review so more hoops fans can find the show.