Ryan and Swipa discuss the last week of Denver Nuggets basketball, including two amazing wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. They then focus in on the MVP race between Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. Finally, Ryan and Swipa preview the upcoming week of Nuggets basketball and share their "Takes from the Future."
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 113-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies that basically clinched the top seed in the Western Conference for Denver. Nikola Jokić had another triple-double in the victory. Jamal Murray started slow but got going after some back-and-forth trash talk with Dillon Brooks. Michael Porter Jr. had a big scoring night. Jeff Green (?!) had a big defensive night. It was a great team effort from the Nuggets, and Ryan discusses every aspect of the victory and what it ...
Ryan Blackburn and Nuggets/Betting analyst Jena Garcia share their thoughts on Denver Nuggets practice from Thursday afternoon. They then preview Friday's matchup between the Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies, sharing insight on matchups and betting lines in the process. Finally, they go over NBA storylines around the league for the remainder of the regular season.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 133-112 win over the Houston Rockets. Jamal Murray locked in for 32 points and 6 assists while Nikola Jokić notched his 100th career regular season triple-double. The starters were absolutely dominant, and the bench got some extended run in the second half. Ryan reacts to everything from the win before looking at the Western Conference playoff picture in-depth.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 134-124 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers as Nikola Jokić posts 40 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, outperforming Kawhi Leonard in OT. Michael Porter Jr. also showed up big time with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Jamal Murray gutted out 21 points and 12 assists on an ailing back injury. The Nuggets showed up big time, putting a bad loss to the Memphis Grizzlies behind them and showing they're still the team to beat in the West.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 115-109 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to kick off the post All-Star Break schedule. Nikola Jokić put up his 22nd triple-double, and Michael Porter Jr. caught fire from deep in the second half. Reggie Jackson also made his debut and hit a 3/4 court buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and checks in around the NBA.
Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on Denver Nuggets practice from Tuesday and the ensuing injury report. Then, Ryan focuses in on Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. as more than support characters for two-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Finally, Ryan previews the final 23 games of the Nuggets regular season and the goals for the team in the coming weeks.
Ryan Blackburn discusses the NBA All-Star festivities over the weekend, including the All-Star game that saw Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid drafted first overall and Denver Nuggets two-time MVP Nikola Jokić drafted seventh. Is Jokić finally underrated again? Then, Ryan answers Mailbag questions from Pickaxe and Roll listeners.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the MVP straw poll conducted by Tim Bontemps of ESPN highlighting Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić as the MVP favorite with less than 25 games left to go. Then, he looks at every event during All-Star weekend, including the Three-Point shootout, Slam Dunk contest, and more. Finally, Ryan shares his favorite moments of the Nuggets season to this point.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 118-109 win over the Dallas Mavericks as Nikola Jokić records his 21st triple-double. Jeff Green led all Nuggets scorers with 24 points. Michael Porter Jr. played an excellent game. Luka Dončić was awesome, but it didn't matter. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and where the Nuggets stand entering the All-Star break.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 112-108 win over the Miami Heat as Nikola Jokić dominates against Bam Adebayo, scoring 27 points and shooting 12-of-14 with zero turnovers. Seven Nuggets scored in double figures, including Thomas Bryant, who made an immediate impact on the bench unit. Ryan also discusses the comments made by Bones Hyland about his time with the Nuggets and if there's any actual beef between him and Jamal Murray.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 119-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Nikola Jokić carried the team when things weren't going well. Michael Porter Jr. started slow but finished strong. Christian Braun made the hustle plays. Ish Smith, Jeff Green, and DeAndre Jordan did just enough. Ryan also reacts to the signing of Reggie Jackson on the buyout market and the ideal rotation for the rest of the regular season.
Ryan Blackburn and Matt Moore (@HPbasketball) react to the Denver Nuggets loss to the Orlando Magic for a brief time. Then, they discuss what happened with the Nuggets and the NBA at the trade deadline today, focusing on the Bones Hyland and Thomas Bryant trades. Matt shares his takes on Kevin Durant, the Phoenix Suns, and the Western Conference landscape, as well as the buyout market. Could the Nuggets add Reggie Jackson or Danny Green to their roster?
In a special live trade deadline episode, Ryan Blackburn reacts to the final minutes of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline. The Denver Nuggets acquired backup center Thomas Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday morning. They also traded Bones Hyland to the Los Angeles Clippers for merely second round picks. Ryan reacts to as many trades as he can before the trade deadline buzzer sounds. He also shares his thoughts on Bryant, Kevin Durant to the Suns, the Lakers acquiring D'Angelo Russell, and ...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 146-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as Nikola Jokić records a first half triple-double. He finished with 20 points, 16 assists, and 12 rebounds while Michael Porter Jr. added 30 points and five rebounds himself. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and makes NBA Trade Deadline trade predictions.
Ryan Blackburn briefly reacts to the Denver Nuggets blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in which the Nuggets sat four starters and allowed many points. He discusses Bones Hyland's healthy scratch and what it means for the trade deadline. Finally, Ryan discusses the Kyrie Irving trade to the Dallas Mavericks and how that affects Denver's title chances.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 128-108 win over the Atlanta Hawks as Jamal Murray goes off for 41 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. Nikola Jokić achieved another triple-double, Michael Porter Jr. had a strong scoring performance, and Christian Braun filled in for an injured Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Ryan goes over the starters, the bench, and how the Nuggets are making their case to be the best team in the NBA.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 134-117 win over the Golden State Warriors as Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić go off, leading the Nuggets to an easy victory. Vlatko Čančar started in place of Aaron Gordon and played well. The Nuggets debuted a new bench lineup, and Bones Hyland was given a DNP-CD. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and where the Nuggets stand with the traded deadline less than a week away.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 122-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans as Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray show their skills as a dynamic duo. Jokić put up his 16th triple-double and is merely one assist away from averaging a triple-double completely. Murray put up 32 points on the most three-pointers he's attempted this season. Ryan discusses an elite game from the starters, another subpar bench performance, and where the Nuggets stand in the West in a series against every other...
Ryan Blackburn shares his notes from Denver Nuggets practice on Monday, including quotes from Michael Malone and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Then, he dives into the Bones Hyland rumors circling around the internet, with plenty of smoke signaling a trade prior to next Thursday's trade deadline. Ryan shares a list of players he believes the Nuggets will target in the coming days. Finally, Ryan breaks down Denver's remaining schedule after 50 games and offers a record prediction.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 126-119 loss to the Philadelphis 76ers. Nikola Jokić vs Joel Embiid was a dream to watch in the first half and nightmare in the second. The Nuggets lost their composure and couldn't stave off the Sixers' 68-46 second half run. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and plays "Fact or Crap" with his own reactionary tweets from Saturday's morose affair.
Ryan Blackburn brings on Bryan Toporek of Forbes and Liberty Ballers to discuss Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in-depth (recorded before the announcement of All-Star starters, of which Embiid was snubbed). Ryan and Bryan discuss Nets vs Sixers and where the Sixers stand as a contender. Then, they get Bryan's opinion on the Nuggets, load management, and the Western Conference playoff field. Finally, they preview Saturday's game, the different matchups involved, and just how motivated both...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 107-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a hard-fought game without the likes of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or Michael Porter Jr. available. In their stead, Aaron Gordon played extremely hard against Giannis Antetokounmpo and made the score closer that it should have been. The Nuggets as a team played hard but didn't have enough scoring to get past the Bucks. Ryan discusses the replacement starters, bench unit, and what load manag...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 99-98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans as Nikola Jokić makes his return from a left hamstring strain in triumphant fashion. Jokić put together a 25-point triple-double and hit the game-winning floater with 16 seconds to go. There were a lot of things that went wrong, and Denver's shooting went dry in the second half, but the Nuggets survived. Ryan discusses the starters, a new bench lineup without Bones Hyland, and what the Nuggets can do with their $...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 101-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as Jamal Murray missed the game-tying shot at the final buzzer. Murray played a great game overall, but not enough Nuggets joined him. The free throw shooting was also abysmal and a key catalyst for Denver's first loss at home since December 6th. Ryan discusses the starters playing reasonably well, the bench facing some concering questions, and what to expect for Joker, MPJ, and the Nuggets during next week's ro...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 134-111 win as Jamal Murray goes for 17 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds to achieve the first triple-double of his career. Aaron Gordon dominated with 28 points on 15 shots. Michael Porter Jr. played well. The Nuggets as a team had 38 assists despite missing Nikola Jokić due to injury. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and the Mid-Western Conference that looks average now but will probably feel more imposing by the end of the year.
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 122-118 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as Nikola Jokić breaks the all-time franchise record in career assists. He finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists on the evening despite dealing with foul trouble. When Jokić was out, Jamal Murray kept the game afloat, scoring 28 points on efficient shooting, including three baskets in clutch time. Ryan discusses the starters' varied performance, the bench lineup struggles, and Joker's assist re...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 122-113 win over the Portland Trail Blazers as Nikola Jokić goes for 36 points on 13-of-14 from the field. He also notched a triple-double with 12 rebounds and 10 assists, making it look easy all the time. Damian Lillard had 44 points, but the Nuggets (and the referees) got him rattled in the fourth quarter. Michael Porter Jr. also had 23 points on just 13 shots, finding efficient shooting opportunities in the flow. Ryan discusses the starters, the ben...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 119-116 victory over the Orlando Magic as Nikola Jokić hits the game-winning three-pointer over Franz Wagner with 0.2 seconds remaining. Jokić finished the game with a triple-double, leading the Nuggets to a shaky win that still counts the same. Aaron Gordon hit two clutch free throws after struggling, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a clutch three-pointer to keep Denver in it. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench struggles, and goes over major seco...
Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 115-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers as Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. step up in the absence of Nikola Jokić, who rested a sore wrist and didn't make the trip to Los Angeles. Murray and Porter were both great, but it was an entire team effort with AG, KCP, and DeAndre Jordan rounding out the starting lineup with quality play. The bench remained functional as well and helped earn a tough W. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and the ...
