Ric looks at the four teams that have reached the conference finals and the key ingredient that has allowed them to advance. Also discussed: the hard reality Ben Simmons has to face if he has any hope of moving forward in his career.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the elements that led to the Bucks' decisive Game 6 win over the Brooklyn Nets, what to look for in Game 7 and provides some insight on Rick Carlisle's decision to leave the Dallas Mavericks.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the monumental collapse by the 76ers and the gutsy performance by the Clippers without Kawhi Leonard. Also addressed: Derrick Rose and his place among free-agent point guards.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric provides insight into the relationship between young star Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, as well as a breakdown of what Kevin Durant did in Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks and, conversely what Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks did not do to exploit the Nets playing with a limited James Harden and no Kyrie Irving.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric takes exception to the 76ers' loss in Game 4 to the Atlanta Hawks being blamed on center Joel Embiid and examines Philadelphia's absence of a floor leadership despite having Ben Simmons on a maximum-salary contract. Also:Ric reveals a conversation he had with a scout about Nic Batum when the Clippers acquired him and how Batum is defying the scout's assessment.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the circumstances that led to MVP Nikola Jokic being ejected from Game 4 of the Suns-Nuggets series and calls for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be punished for Kyrie Irving landing on his foot and spraining his ankle in Game 4 of the Bucks-Nets series. Also discussed: Clippers coach Ty Lue making another successful move, this time with reserve forward Terance Mann.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the shot selection and offensive decisions Giannis Antetokounmpo made in the Milwaukee Bucks' 86-83 over the Brooklyn Nets and questions if they are congruent with Coach Mike Budenholzer's game plan.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric takes a look at the entire list of players who appeared on one of the 101 MVP ballots and makes a disturbing discovery: only one is American-born and developed and under 30.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses an array of topics that are bothering him among the sights and scenes in the NBA Playoffs so far. Also broached: the series where the three-point shot could be the biggest factor.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses Mavericks' forward Kristaps Porzingis' complaint that he's not getting star treatment in Dallas and looks at the Bucks facing the same dilemma the Clippers did in the first round -- with a similar solution.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.