Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 113-105 loss at home to the New Orleans Pelicans as Nikola Jokić scores 25 points on just 10 shots...but only attempts 10 shots. Will Barton pressed too hard. Jeff Green pressed too little. The bench was fine, but they didn't help the starters out. DeMarcus Cousins was a healthy scratch (or maybe not healthy enough). Ryan discusses the loss, the effect of Murray and Porter missing so much time, and how seriously the Nuggets should think about going for a title this year.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 108-104 hard-fought loss to the Utah Jazz as Denver gets swept in the season series with Utah. Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon sat out this matchup, and though the Nuggets bench delivered a strong performance, the starters couldn't close the deal down the stretch. Ryan discusses Bryn Forbes' big shooting night, his concern for Will Barton's role, Davon Reed being exceptional, and much more.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 130-115 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Nuggets have their five-game winning streak snapped. The starters weren't great, but the bench was far worse as the momentum of the game began slipping away as soon as Nikola Jokić left the court at the end of the first quarter. Ryan discusses the starters getting out-hustled, the bench being outmatched, and the team being outplayed heading into a back-to-back against the Jazz on Wednesday night.

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets news of the day, that the team has been granted a disabled player exception for Michael Porter Jr. to use before March 10th. Ryan discusses what it means for MPJ and the Nuggets before previewing the back-to-back against the T'Wolves and Jazz. Finally, Ryan discusses a report about the Nuggets still looking at backup center options before sharing which centers the Nuggets may target before the February 10th trade deadline.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 136-100 blowout win over the Milwaukee Bucks as Nikola Jokić out-duels Giannis Antetokounmpo while Denver's shooters go crazy. The Nuggets made 23 three-pointers, with several players having efficient nights and taking advantage of open shots. Ryan discusses one of the best starting units in the NBA, a bench unit that is suddenly functional, and how Jokić didn't just solidify his MVP candidacy but might be leading the charge.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 116-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans as Nikola Jokić once again proves himself as the best, most dominant player in the NBA with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Monte Morris and Austin Rivers were also good, but the biggest story is Bones Hyland, who took over for Facu Campazzo as the bench point guard in the second half and played well. Ryan discusses the change, where the Nuggets stand, and the trade deadline.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 124-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets as Austin Rivers goes for a season high 25 points while hitting seven three-pointers. Sure, the Nets were without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, but a win is still a win. Ryan discusses Nikola Jokić's meh 26-10-8 performance, some questionable decision making from the starting unit, DeMarcus Cousins getting ejected, the bench rotation, and the middle of the West playoff picture.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 110-105 win over the Detroit Pistons as Nikola Jokić goes off for 28 points, 21 rebounds, and 9 assists. Cade Cunningham was fantastic for Detroit, but Denver had just enough defensive resistance with Aaron Gordon, Austin Rivers, and Jeff Green to earn a win. Ryan discusses a good starting effort, another subpar bench performance, and various rotation choices.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 117-111 win over the Detroit Pistons as DeMarcus Cousins makes his Denver debut on the second unit, which played better today! Nikola Jokić was merely amazing tonight rather than unbelievable. Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, and Austin Rivers filled their roles well. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench unit, and discusses where the Nuggets are as a team 45 games into the season.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 122-118 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies as Denver's starters score 101 points and are almost universally positive, other than the minutes where they overlapped with the bench. Nikola Jokić had another triple-double, this time with zero turnovers, and Will Barton added 27 points and eight assists of him own. Unfortunately, the bench just didn't have it tonight. Ryan breaks down what went wrong, what to take away from Bryn Forbes' debut, and what to do with Facu Campazzo.