Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn ranks his favorite Nikola Jokić moments of all-time to celebrate the Serbian center's 27th birthday over All-Star weekend. He also discusses the All-Star festivities, including Bones Hyland in the Rising Stars game where it appeared the young rookie belonged. Ryan also discussed the camaraderie shared between Jokić, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and how the three are set up to be the pillars of NBA and international basketball for years to come.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 117-116 win as Monte Morris is the big hero, hitting the game-winning three to propel the Nuggets into the All-Star break on a high note. Nikola Jokić was dominant and set Morris up with the key pass. Austin Rivers and Bryn Forbes deserve plenty of credit for making big plays too. Ryan discusses the win, Nikola Jokić's resilience and toughness, and where the Nuggets stand heading into the All-Star break.

Ryan Blackburn brings on Golden State of Mind's Bradley Klopfer to discuss the Western Conference playoff picture, headlined by the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies. They share their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of those teams, along with the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Denver Nuggets, before discussing the parallels between Golden State and Denver in more depth. What would a Nuggets-Dubs playoff series look like? Will both teams be full strength? Ryan and Brady discuss.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 121-111 win over the Orlando Magic as Nikola Jokić goes for a ho-hum 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Nuggets clearly messed around with the Magic tonight, and while Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. are respectable NBA players, the Nuggets clearly didn't respect their opponent tonight and let them hang around. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and the disparity between complacency and consistency that the Nuggets are constantly fighting.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets gutsy 110-109 win over the Toronto Raptors as Nikola Jokić saves the day once again with his third game-saving block of the season. Joker scored with ease in the first quarter as well, while Jeff Green had 19 points and both Bones Hyland and Will Barton had big-time plays in the clutch. Ryan discusses the starters, a bench unit featuring JaMychal Green and DeMarcus Cousins, and the possibly the Nuggets making a serious run to end the season.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 108-102 loss to the Boston Celtics as the Nuggets blew a lead in the second half and were out-executed down the stretch. Nikola Jokić finished with a triple-double but also had nine turnovers. Facu Campazzo hit threes with the second unit tonight but closed the game with 17 straight minutes. Did Michael Malone make the wrong call? Ryan discusses, while also bringing some positivity with the Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. injury updates.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets moves (or lack thereof) leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline. Why didn't the Nuggets make a deal? Who were they targeting? What happens now? Ryan discusses the ins and outs of a quiet trade deadline, what it means for Denver's expectations this year, the rotation going forward, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., and much more.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 132-115 win over the New York Knicks as Bones Hyland and JaMychal Green lead the way in the bench minutes. The Nuggets reserves scored 61 points, and Bones, JaMychal, and Zeke Nnaji played some excellent basketball against a solid Knicks second unit. Ryan recaps the game, discusses the starters' performance, breaks down the big trades that happened today, and shares his trade deadline wishlist for the Nuggets.

Ryan Blackburn brings on Denver Stiffs writers Thomas Knowlton and Peter Leensvaart to discuss the trade market ahead of the 20222 NBA trade deadline. They discuss trade rumors before pitching ideas the Denver Nuggets should consider that could turn the Nuggets into bonafide contenders before the playoffs begin. From Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Justin Holiday to Marcus Smart to Nerlens Noel, many names, ideas, and fake trades are pitched. Will the Nuggets make one of the listed moves?

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 124-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets as Nikola Jokić collects yet another triple-double and the Nuggets hold the Nets to 29 points in the second half. Ryan discusses the starters locking in on both ends of the floor, the bench performance and living with mistakes from Bones Hyland, and much more. He also discusses DeMarcus Cousins' 10-day contract ending, the upcoming trade deadline and All-Star break, and much more.