Ric examines the state of the Portland Trail Blazers since its star Damian Lillard expressed his frustration with the roster. Also: a look at why the US National Team is having problems fielding a complete roster.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the push that already has begun by current and former NBA players for the Bucks' Khris Middleton as Finals MVP and the false reality that some Phoenix Suns players may be entertaining about making it back to the Finals should they fall short this time.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the prospects of Kawhi Leonard returning to the Clippers, their prospects now that he's had knee surgery and speculative answers as to why it took so long to identify his injury. Plus: burying the Batman-Robin trope to describe the relationship between a team's top players.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the Bucks 109-103 win over the Suns to tie their NBA Finals' series at 2 games apiece and the disparate responses by Phoenix stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker on the reasons for the loss -- and what it means for the Suns' chances of winning the series.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric breaks down the places that do and don't make sense for the 76ers' Ben Simmons to land, Team USA's convincing win over Argentina and the tepid appreciation from other NBA players for what Giannis Antetokounmpo is doing in the NBA Finals.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses comments by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith about MLB star Shohei Ohtani and the Nigerian basketball team and assesses Suns' guard Devin Booker's overall game.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines both the dominant Game 3 win by the Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals and Nigeria's exhibition upset of Team USA and explains why neither win should be viewed as a surprise.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines what Giannis Antetokounmpo's virtuoso performance in Game 2 means for his overall growth and pinpoints why it wasn't enough to prevent the Suns from taking a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric dives into the debate over where Chris Paul stands among all-time point guards now that he's reached his first NBA Finals and has a chance at his first title. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how the Bucks lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the adjustments needed to avoid the same result in Game 2. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.