Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on the second night of a back-to-back, one day after defeating the team with the best record in the NBA. Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon struggled with a matchup decision the T'Wolves made. Jamal Murray took too long to get into the game. The bench struggled against a bigger, stronger T'Wolves second unit. Ryan goes over what went wrong, what to be concerned about and whether various stats are "something, nothing, or everything" at this point in the season.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 123-111 victory over the Boston Celtics as Nikola Jokić pours on another 30-point triple-double, comfortably dominating against a stout Celtics frontline. Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon each had great moments, while Bruce Brown had 21 points filling in for Jamal Murray at point guard. Bones Hyland and the bench were solid as a whole. Ryan discusses an all-around great win from the starters, to the bench, to the 34-minute stoppage, and everything in between.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 124-119 victory over the Miami Heat as Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray absolutely shut the door in clutch time. There were helpful assists from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aaron Gordon, but Jokić and Murray said goodbye to the Heat with several baskets late, created from a variety of two-man actions. It was poetry in motion. Ryan discusses the starters, a strong bench performance, and shares some New Year's Resolutions for the Nuggets and for himself.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 127-126 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets had their chances to win the game, but they certainly didn't get any favors from the officials down the stretch. Bones Hyland had a nice bounceback game, while Michael Porter Jr. had a strong first half. Ultimately though, Denver's defense and clutch play undid them in the end. Ryan reacts to the starters without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, the bench without Bruce Brown, and how seriously to take a loss on a back-to-back when as shorthanded as the Nuggets were.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 113-106 win as Michael Porter Jr. pours in an efficient 30 points. Aaron Gordon was held out due to a shoulder strain, so MPJ stepped up and had one of his best nights of the season. Nikola Jokić had a Sombor Double of 20-9-11, and Jamal Murray capped it off with some clutch shotmaking and playmaking down the stretch. Ryan goes over the starters' performances, an interesting bench night, and what it means that the Nuggets are truly finding their stride.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 128-125 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Christmas night as Nikola Jokić goes for another historic statline with 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. Aaron Gordon had the dunk of the year over Landry Shamet. Jamal Murray came up clutch in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets locked in defensively when it counted. Ryan discusses the starters finding ways to win, the bench continuing to display major struggles, and the impending weight of great expectations facing the Nuggets in the West playoff picture.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 120-107 win as Michael Porter Jr. makes his triumphant return to the court. MPJ played well on both ends, Jamal Murray played perhaps his best game of the season, and Nikola Jokić closed the deal in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets bench was also a positive (though Christian Braun wasn't out there). Ryan discusses the return of the O G starting five, a new bench unit, and what he's thankful for this Nuggets holiday season.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn goes over the news from Thursday's Denver Nuggets practice that Michael Porter Jr. has a serious chance to return as soon as Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jamal Murray will also likely be back, meaning the Nuggets could have their fully healthy rotation right in the nick of time. Ryan goes over the pros and cons of the healthy rotation and what it means for bench lineups featuring Bones Hyland, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green, Christian Braun, and others. Then, he previews Friday's game against Portland and Sunday's Christmas night game against the Phoenix Suns.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 105-91 win over the Memphis Grizzlies as Nikola Jokić goes for a 13-13-13 triple-double. The Nuggets played their best defensive game of the season, and Christian Braun getting the start in place of Jamal Murray was a big reason why. The Nuggets were clearly ready for this matchup and took it seriously. Ryan goes over the starters, the bench, and why, despite Denver holding the top spot in the West, it's okay to nitpick the details for a championship contender.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Blackburn goes over the news and notes of the off day, from Nikola Jokić's Player of the Week award to a growing Nuggets injury report. Then, he hones in on the bench and why none of the regular combinations have worked so far, providing some insight and new ideas. Could Michael Porter Jr. be the answer when he returns? And if not him, then who? Finally, Ryan goes over Denver's next 13 games on the schedule and emphasizes how Denver's currently in an inflection point on the season.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.