I certainly don’t think negatively of Ric Bucher. In all honesty, I don’t really think that much about him at all, aside from the times he’s on SportsCenter going over various NBA minutiae. But if I had to guess, I’d say his accuracy rate on reporting rumors has to be less than 10%, like for instance, the 39 various times throughout 2005-07 that he informed me that Kobe Bryant had played his last game in a Lakers uniform and a trade was imminent. Or like yesterday when I got home from work, turned on the TV and was told by Ric that “he didn’t see it happening” regarding Elton Brand’s chances of signing with the Sixers only to awaken from my post work nap to learn that Philly had a new franchise player. Sometimes I really get the impression that NBA GM’s collectively just enjoy toying with him and place wagers with each other to see what they can get him to say on national TV.
Scene: Hornets War Room.
Hornets GM Jeff Bower and Byron Scott are present along with their collective staff. Unbeknownst to Bucher, Sam Presti is on three-way.
Bower: “Yeah, hi, Ric? This is Jeff Bower. Yeah, I just wanted to let you know we’re real close to possibly trading Chris Paul and David West to Seattle/OKC for Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene and three future first round picks. Yes, we like what we’ve seen from those… (snickers and restrained laughter can be heard in the background)
Bower: (laughing and covering the phone): Shhhhhhh….c’mon you’re gonna blow it!
Bower: “No seriously Ric, there’s a good chance this happens and we just wanted you to have the first scoop.” (more snickers) “Uh, Igottago, you should definitely report this. bye.” (Hangs up).
