Ric examines how the Milwaukee Bucks could be better off starting the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo but why they need him to win the series.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the unsung hero of the Bucks' Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks to advance to the NBA Finals and examines whether or not the Hawks would've been better served if star guard Trae Young had not tried to play on his injured foot.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the Bucks' controversy-free win over the Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals and speculates why the NBA hasn't tried harder to eliminate flopping.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how the Phoenix Suns closed out the Los Angeles Clippers to win the Western Conference title and advance to 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 the recent propensity to elevate stars to legendary status too quickly -- the Bucks' Khris Middleton being the latest example -- and how it overshadows how these playoffs have unfolded and who the true architects of success are.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the performance of the Clippers' Paul George in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, how it was a microcosm of his uneven postseason track record and what might be behind his erratic play.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the lineup changes and strategic twists Clippers coach Ty Lue utilized to win Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns despite the return of All-Star point guard Chris Paul. Also: an update on potential coaching hires in Portland, New Orleans and Orlando and Becky Hammon's prospects of getting hired as the first woman's head coach in NBA history.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the Atlanta Hawks' win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals and explores the reasons why the Bucks' performance bothered him.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the impact of Cameron Payne starting in place of quarantined Chris Paul in the Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns, and how Paul's pending return could affect Payne's contributions.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric shares his experience covering John Stockton during his legendary run with the Utah Jazz and the harsh reaction to Stockton's participation in a documentary questioning the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.