On The Ball with Ric Bucher

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 . Hos...

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://support...

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:/...

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.

Ric examines the dramatic changes Clippers coach Ty Lue made to his starting lineup and playing rotation through the course of the team's successful seven-game series against the Dallas Mavericks and how it may have prepared them for their next series against the Utah Jazz. 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 defending champion Lakers being eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round, a possible connection between injuries and inefficient play and takes a close look at an overlooked statistic that reflects a profound change in what was once valued in the NBA. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Ric discusses a potential name for the Boston Celtics' opening that is not on the oddsmaker's list and breaks down why he disagrees with the Warriors' Draymond Green that the Mavericks won Game 5 by limiting Paul George's offensive involvement. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines how Lebron James approached Game 5 vs. the Phoenix Suns without fellow All-Star Anthony Davis to still produce a respectable stat line despite losing 115-85. Also discussed: the one player that could make the Portland Trail Blazers true title contenders. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the uneasy place the 76ers find themselves with Joel Embiid suffering yet another knee injury and a look at what The Process did and didn't accomplish. Also: Kyrie Irving and his contentious relationship with Boston Celtics' fans. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the play of the Knicks' Julius Randle and RJ Barrett in their series against the Atlanta Hawks, why it's been so hard for them to replicate their regular-season performances and whether or not their left-handedness is a contributing factor. Also discussed: Why the Lakers and Clippers both find themselves in series now tied 2-2. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-f...

Ric revises his view of Devin Booker after his series-opening performance against the Lakers as a legit playoff performer and breaks down the parts of his game still missing. Also discussed: Anthony Davis' leg kick and the superlative showing in the East so far not just by one team (Nets) but several. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Ric examines the similarities between the Warriors keeping Steph Curry in the fold with the decision the 49ers once upon a time had to make on Joe Montana. Also discussed: the divergent paths of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook and what the Philadelphia 76ers are doing compared to the Brooklyn Nets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Ric applauds the Nets making a statement, examines the subplots contained in the Lakers tying their series with the Suns and vents about the Clippers casually slipping into a 2-0 hole against the Mavericks. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the Game 2s between the Heat-Bucks and Blazers-Nuggets and which teams are better built for the allowance of more physical play in the postseason. Also examined: how serious to take Donavan Mitchell being "incensed" that the Jazz medical staff did not allow him to play in Game 1. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

Ric looks at the results of Game 1s played over the weekend in each of the eight playoff series and what we should and shouldn't take away from the results, including upsets by the Grizzlies, Blazers, Mavericks and Suns. Also: a brief ode to the toughness and leadership of Suns point guard Chris Paul. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

Ric discusses the Memphis Grizzlies' overtime play-in win that ended the Golden State Warriors and star guard Steph Curry's season and why Ja Morant is set up for success far better than New Orleans Pelicans' All-Star Zion Williamson. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric examines the obstacles today's men and women face covering the league and how the Wizards turned the tables on the Indiana Pacers in their play-in game to advance to face the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric takes a close look at the theatrics and desultory performances by the superstars in the Lakers' 103-100 win over the Warriors in their play-in game and what it means for the two teams' playoff fortunes going forward. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ric looks at the results of the first play-in games and explains how the ultra-competitive Hornets owner Michael Jordan views his franchise, as well as how ultra-energy guy Russell Westbrook's fatal flaw hurt the Wizards against the Celtics. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.