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Ryan Blackburn discusses the first quarter of the Denver Nuggets season and hands out grades for all of the rotation players, Michael Malone, and Calvin Booth. Who outperformed expectations so far? Who's still getting into the flow of the season? Ryan grades Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and other Nuggets. Then, Ryan discusses Murray's …

In this episode, Ryan and Swipa go over the win vs the Phoenix Suns, the loss vs the Sacramento Kings, and why the Denver Nuggets are doing just fine at this stage of the season. They credit Peyton Watson and Michael Porter Jr., discuss Jamal Murray's injury status, and Ryan goes on a Nikola Jokic monologue to appeal to the people. Finally, they di…

Ryan discusses the Denver Nuggets impressive 134-124 win over the Houston Rockets. Jamal Murray returned from his hamstring injury that sidelined him for 12 games only to roll his ankle two minutes into the game. Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. had strong games, and even though the Nuggets couldn't defend a chair, the offense was simply too dom…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 113-104 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers that happened without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, AND Aaron Gordon. It was Reggie Jackson and DeAndre Jordan that put on a show, and the Nuggets found enough ways to win over a Clippers team that should frankly be embarrassed.…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 132-120 win over the San Antonio Spurs, including the much anticipated matchup between Nikola Jokic and top overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama. Jokic vs Wemby was awesome, and Ryan discusses all of the layers of the matchup. Ryan also breaks down strong performances from Michael Porter Jr., Peyton Watso…

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa break down the Denver Nuggets 1-4 road trip all without Jamal Murray. They discuss why the Nuggets are so much better at home, what's going on with Aaron Gordon and others in the rotation, and what the Nuggets can/should do to get right.โดย Mile High Sports

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets loss to the Orlando Magic, their fourth in six games. The Nuggets are now 1-3 on their road trip, and the only win has come against the Detroit Pistons. Should their be cause for concern? Ryan discusses the game and also shares some Thanksgiving thoughts.โดย Mile High Sports

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 107-103 win over the Detroit Pistons, including the ejections of Michael Malone and Nikola Jokic in the first half. Ryan gives credit to the starters and Christian Braun for continuing to fight. He also discusses the ejections and Jokic's feud with the referees. Finally, Ryan does STOCK WATCH on Denver's …

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 121-109 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that wasn't as close as the score. Nikola Jokic was frustrated by the foul calls and committed some egregious fouls as a result. Are Nuggets fans right to be upset by Tony Brothers? Ryan discusses what happened, why the Nuggets are struggling, and whether it's fai…

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa break down the Denver Nuggets loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, their first of the In-Season Tournament. They share what they've learned from the first 12 games of the season about the Nuggets bench. They also discuss what to expect from the Nuggets on the rest of their road trip, including games in Clevelan…

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa discuss the great season Nikola Jokic is having thus far, from the numbers to the narratives. Can anyone challenge the Nuggets center for MVP with the way he's performing this year? Then, they discuss the In-Season Tournament so far and how NBA teams are taking it way more seriously than expected.…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 111-108 clutch win over the Los Angeles Clippers, including impressive performances from Nikola Jokic and Reggie Jackson. Kawhi Leonard struggled, Paul George shot a wedgie in the clutch, and James Harden was good but no longer great. Ryan discusses the clutch defense led by Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Ca…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 107-104 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night to drop to 8-2. Nikola Jokic was dominant, but it didn't end up mattering by the end. The Nuggets bench struggled tremendously, scoring just eight points all game. Ryan talks about what happened, what it means, and how the Nuggets can bounce back on Tues…

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa discuss the credit head coach Michael Malone deserves, the newest Nikola Jokic dominance, Reggie Jackson improving, the bench being a work in progress, and preview Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets.โดย Mile High Sports

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 108-105 win over the Golden State Warriors. Nikola Jokic had some miscues late, but he was still dominant. Stephen Curry hit a clutch three but missed the ensuing layup to tie the game. The Nuggets survived a tough game from their bench unit and played the starters heavy minutes. Ryan breaks it all down…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 134-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans to improve to 7-1 on the season, the best record in the NBA. Nikola Jokic was dominant once again, while Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Julian Strawther all stepped up to fill the gaps left by the injury to Jamal Murray. Ryan discusses the starters, the…

Ryan and Swipa discuss Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. finding his groove, the injury to Jamal Murray, and more from the 6-1 Denver Nuggets. Who steps up for the Nuggets in place of Jamal Murray? Why is Michael Porter Jr. a Scottie Pippen clone all of a sudden? What should Nuggets fans expect next week?…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 125-114 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in their first ever In-Season Tournament game. Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic were the stars of the show, with Porter's defense on Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic a big reason why the Nuggets won the game. Ryan discusses that, Jamal Murray's pass-first ment…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 110-89 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and why the Nuggets, specifically Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray, struggled to score so much. Then, Ryan goes over the details of the In-Season Tournament and what Nuggets fans need to know, including when the games are, who the Nuggets are playing, and why…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 110-102 win over the Utah Jazz to remain undefeated at 4-0. Ryan also credits Nikola Jokić for his triple-double feat and discusses whether he can break the all-time record. Then, he shares his perspective on why the Nuggets are so deadly compared to the rest of the league at the moment.…

Ryan Blackburn and SwipaCam break down the Denver Nuggets 128-95 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. From Nikola Jokic and his interior dominance, to Jamal Murray and his improved playmaking, to Peyton Watson and Christian Braun showcasing elite tools on the wing, Ryan and Swipa are excited about the present and the future of the Nuggets. Then,…

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 108-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray found ways to with clutch shotmaking even if they weren't perfect throughout. Ryan discusses the starters, why Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman give Jokic so much trouble, and gives credit to Reggie Jackson and the Nuggets bench.…

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets ring night ceremony and subsequent win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and the Nuggets starters were dominant. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers had no answers for Jokić, though they kept the game close until the end. Ryan breaks down the events, the rotations, and the v…

Matt Brooks of the Denver Nuggets and nuggets.com joins Ryan Blackburn to preview and discuss the Denver Nuggets season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. They chat about the budding rivalry, how the Nuggets are approaching the game, who will play, and whether the Nuggets will end up with a win. Then, they bounce around the NBA with some bold p…

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Zeke Nnaji contract extension and what he learned at Denver Nuggets practice on Sunday. Then, he went through the entire NBA and their Over-Unders on Superbook Sports, picking the best bets in the Western and Eastern Conference. Ryan isn't a gambling professional, but he knows the NBA preeeetty well.…

Ryan Blackburn and SwipaCam answer the 10 biggest questions about the Denver Nuggets prior to the 2023-24 NBA Season. From Nikola Jokić dominating, to Jamal Murray becoming an All-Star, to Michael Porter Jr. expanding his role, to other contenders around the NBA, Ryan and Swipa break down all of the pressing questions facing the Nuggets.…

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 103-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in which Nikola Jokić dominated and Bones Hyland got some revenge before spraining an ankle late. Then, Ryan discusses all of the rotation options once again and where he sees the Nuggets bench on opening night. Finally, he discusses some of the contenders around t…

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets preseason matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, a 116-103 loss in which none of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. suited up. Ryan goes over his concerns with the Nuggets bench unit and takes stock of the options nearing the end of preseason. Then, Ryan discusses the comments made by Calvin …

Ryan Blackburn introduces his new national podcast "The Alley-Oop with Ryan Blackburn" to the audience and explains what the show will be. None of the Nuggets coverage on Pickaxe and Roll will change, but you should definitely sucscribe to the new show too! Then, Ryan breaks down the three-man game of Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokić, and Aaron Gordon an…

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets double overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls by discussing the starters, the bench, and various Nuggets lineups throughout the evening. The starters looked good, namely Nikola Jokić who had 17 points on 10 shots and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. Julian Strawther continues to excel with the Nuggets bench …

Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette joins Ryan Blackburn to discuss the first Denver Nuggets preseason game. They share thoughts about the starters before taking stock in Denver's bench options to begin the 2023-24 NBA season. From Christian Braun and Peyton Watson to Zeke Nnaji and Julian Strawther, there's much to discuss about the Nuggets benc…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down what happened in the Denver Nuggets preseason opener, a 115-107 win over the Phoenix Suns. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray were back on the court. Julian Strawther impressed with 20 points off the bench. Zeke Nnaji had 17 points and played some good defense. Ryan breaks it all down in the first game recap episode of the 202…

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets ahead of their first preseason game of 2023-24 against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have put together of a new Big 3 in Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant. They will be out for revenge against the Nuggets at some point this season. Ryan goes over some matchups, health questions for Mi…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the best starting lineups around the NBA, focusing on contenders and what they bring to the table. The Denver Nuggets won the championship last season with an emphasis on their starting five. Do Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray carry the day? Do the Boston Celtics have the best lineup with new additions Jrue Holiday and Kris…

Ryan Blackburn opens up the Pickaxe and Roll podcast mailbag and answers questions from listeners about the Denver Nuggets. Is Peyton Watson going to benefit the most from Nikola Jokic this season? Which of the rookies is most likely to see playing time this season? Who will Michael Malone trust on the bench unit? Why are the Los Angeles Lakers cry…

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on Denver Nuggets training camp from afar through the lens of the three rookies suiting up in the NBA for the first time. Jalen Pickett, Julian Strawther, and Hunter Tyson were all selected by the Nuggets to play a role sooner rather than later. Can head coach Michael Malone trust those players to make the right p…

Ryan Blackburn shares his takeaways from Denver Nuggets Media Day. As the Nuggets prepare to defend their 2023 NBA championship title, they will face challenges recreating the magic of the previous season. From a new bench, to the loss of Bruce Brown, to other contenders making key upgrades, Ryan shares what the Nuggets said on Monday and what it m…

Ryan Blackburn wraps up his series looking back at the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 NBA season by revisiting the NBA Finals against Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and the Miami Heat. How did Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray respond to the pressures of their first Finals? Really, really strongly. Ryan goes over the details of each game, fun moments, and how the …

Ryan Blackburn goes over the details of the 2022-23 NBA Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. He goes back over individual plays, moments, and schemes deployed in what was possibly the most important playoff series in Nuggets franchise history. From Nikola Jokić's greatness to Jamal Murray's leap to superstard…

Ryan Blackburn breaks down and assesses the Damian Lillard trade to the Milwaukee Bucks that also sent Jrue Holiday and Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers as well as Jusuf Nurkic to the Phoenix Suns. Are the Bucks the new NBA title favorites? Did the Blazers get enough for Lillard? Did the Suns get any better? What the heck happened to the…

Ryan Blackburn continues his trip down memory lane with a closer look at the 2022-23 Denver Nuggets first round playoff series against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets won the series 4-1, and there were several important moments for Nuggets fans to remember. Go back with Ryan to revisit 40 points from Jamal Murray in Game…

In this episode, Ryan Blackburn highlights the best games, fun moments, and most important parts of the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 regular season. Going chronologically, Ryan goes all the way back to a preseason dunk, a halfcourt heave from Vlatko Čančar, a Jamal Murray game winner against the Portland Trail Blazers, a historic outing from Nikola Jokić…

Ryan Blackburn and SwipaCam discussed Part 2 of Ryan’s two-part list of the Top 100 Players in the NBA in 2023. In the second part, they discuss players ranked from 50 to 1, and you don’t want to miss Swipa’s reactions to Ryan’s Top 30. From Nikola Jokić and Stephen Curry, to Devin Booker and Kawhi Leonard, to Pascal Siakam and Domantas Sabonis, Sw…

The NBA is loaded with talent. Ryan Blackburn and SwipaCam discussed Part 1 of Ryan’s two-part list of the Top 100 Players in the NBA. They discuss players ranked from 100 to 51, as well as players ranked outside of the top 100 that should have been in the list. Does Alperun Sengun deserve to be left off? Is Gabe Vincent ranked too high? Why is Rya…

Denver Nuggets rookie Jalen Pickett sat down with Ryan Blackburn to discuss his journey to the NBA. From growing up in Rochester, New York, to transferring from Siena to Penn State after three years of college, to his NBA Draft night experience, Pickett opens up about life and basketball. What does "Whoop" mean? Is Booty Ball here to stay? Why are …

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on second-year wing/forward Peyton Watson in Part 6 of the 20 Questions preview series for the Denver Nuggets in the 2023-24 NBA season. Will Watson find a consistent role in the Nuggets rotation this season? Then, Ryan breaks down the new resting policy for the NBA and what it means for the Nuggets.…

Ryan Blackburn discusses underrated veteran wing Justin Holiday and what he can add to the Denver Nuggets roster in Part 5 of the 20 Questions preview series. Then, Ryan discusses the FIBA World Cup results and what they mean for the USA, Serbia, Canada, and others. Finally, he goes over an epic football weekend in Colorado sports, reacting to the …

Ryan Blackburn teases a special announcement before ranking the top 10 centers in the NBA today. Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid continue to vie for the top spot, but who else ranks among the best at the position? Can older veterans like Rudy Gobert and Brook Lopez hold off younger centers like Bam Adebayo, Deandre Ayton, and Alperun Sengun? Ryan shar…

Ryan Blackburn ranks the Top 10 Power Forwards in the NBA, focusing on the depth at the position and the star power at the top. From Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant to Zion Williamson and Draymond Green, this is one of the strongest eras at power forward in a long time. Where does the Denver Nuggets' own Aaron Gordon rank among his peers at …

Ryan Blackburn continues his 20 Questions Series with Part 4, focusing on Denver Nuggets backup point guard Reggie Jackson. Did Jackson get a fair opportunity to claim the backup gig last year? Is there reason to believe he will be better suited for the task this season instead? Ryan goes over the numbers, the comparisons, and the expectations for …