Ric examines why he still isn't sold on the Brooklyn Nets as the best team in the Eastern Conference, the difference between Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving and the player the Clippers have to move if they're serious about winning a championship.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how three-point shooting has defined which teams have both surprised and disappointed so far this season, the dramatic shift in the number of 3s being shot over the last 10 years, and why to believe, and not believe, that trend continues in the postseason. Also discussed: Kyrie Irving and his enablers.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines Draymond Green's attempts to infuse the Warriors' championship habits and mentality in their new roster and how costing them a game they were in position to win against the Hornets does major damage to his locker room authority.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses with Kennard his unusual talent as a left-handed shooter, right-handed quarterback, left-footed punter, right-handed golfer and left-handed batter. Kennard also shares what he has learned about his reticent teammate, Kawhi Leonard, and from spending most of his career with the high-strung point guard he followed from Detroit to Los Angeles, Reggie Jackson.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric talks with Rodney about overcoming his early struggles in the playoffs, tearing his Achilles tendon as a pending free agent, being critiqued by his wife and the Blazers' chances of making Charles Barkley smart for betting $100,000 they'd win this year's title.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses with Nurse his response to those who discount the Raptors' 2019 title because of the Warriors' injuries, how to motivate a team after its championship window closes, Pascal Siakam's struggles, and how he set a three-point shooting record at Northern Iowa while shooting worse from the free-throw line. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the volume of stories produced in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of NBA legend Kobe Bryant's death and disheartening reactions to longtime NBA analyst Sekou Smith succumbing to the Coronavirus.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines what we learned from Bulls-Rockets, Nets-Bucks and Warriors-Lakers, including Exhibit A on the superstar characteristic Steph Curry has over LeBron James.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines why everyone universally dislikes when players do what James Harden did to force his way to Brooklyn and yet we historically forgive and forget -- thereby tacitly condoning the behavior we abhor.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric discusses the danger posed by flawed rankings, whether they be for MVPs or draft prospects, and who his top 10 NBA MVP candidates are -- and why -- at this point in the season.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.