Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 119-100 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers as P.J. Dozier experiences a scary knee injury in the first quarter. The Nuggets battled hard for long stretches of this game, but brief stretches where they played selfishly and stopped playing with effort undid them. Ryan discusses the good, the bad, and the ugly of the win, including Jeff Green's big night, as well as why the Nuggets may be cursed.

Ryan Blackburn shares the 10 biggest reasons why the Denver Nuggets can still win a 2021-22 NBA championship even if Michael Porter Jr. doesn't play another game. With Nikola Jokić still on the roster and Jamal Murray eventually returning, the Nuggets still have a championship foundation in place, and Ryan discusses how Denver can still find that next gear. From the three-point shooting already improving, to the pecking order shifting for the better, to the rest of the West remaining open, there are reasons to remain hopeful in the face of despair.

Ryan Blackburn spends time recapping both Denver Nuggets losses over the weekend, a 114-108 hard-fought games against the Chicago Bulls and a 126-97 blowout at the hands of the Phoenix Suns. Both games were without Nikola Jokić, Michael Porter Jr., and Jamal Murray, and Denver's defense felt the effects just as much as the offense against two very good teams. Ryan then discusses the injury bug that has hit the team, including a scary prognosis for Porter's back injury.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 103-89 loss t the Philadelphia 76ers missing Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Matisse Thybulle. Nikola Jokić had a great game with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, but too few players joined him with good games of their own. Ryan discusses Will Barton's return, Jeff Green's subpar performance, the poor showing from Bones Hyland and the bench, along with the mentality to wipe the slate clean for Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls.

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the NBA landscape, focusing on the contenders in both the Eastern and Western Conference. Are the Washington Wizards for real? The Chicago Bulls? The Utah Jazz? How do those teams compare to those already established as contenders? Ryan discusses the Lakers, Nets, Bucks, and more before previewing Thursday's injury-riddled Nuggets-Sixers matchup.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the 111-101 Denver Nuggets loss to the Dallas Mavericks on the second night of a back-to-back. The Nuggets were down to 11 players in their rotation, and the bench struggled as a result. Bones Hyland had a down night in the midst of an ankle injury as well, leaving the Nuggets to scratch and claw with Nikola Jokić and not much else. Joker had a great game. Aaron Gordon is pretty good against Luka Doncić. Unfortunately, Kristaps Porzingis had a big game too which was too much for the Nuggets to handle.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 124-95 blowout win over the Portland Trail Blazers to complete a 5-0 home stand. Nikola Jokić was dominant in three quarters. Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris helped the Nuggets get started. The bench, led by Bones Hyland and Facu Campazzo, scored 63 points to close out any hope of a Blazers rally. Ryan shares his thoughts on the starters, the bench, and the character of this Nuggets team in adverse situations.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 105-96 win over the Atlanta Hawks in a game where Aaron Gordon displayed his full value to the Nuggets. He defended Trae Young well, hit his shots, and continues to bring the physicality emblematic of the Nuggets defense. Nikola Jokić returned and had a big triple-double. Jeff Green got in on the action offensively. Bones Hyland has moved from being a piece of the bench unit to the bench leader. Ryan discusses it all and more on this episode.

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the ten season defining statistics for the Denver Nuggets in the 2021-22 season so far. From Denver's defensive success at the rim, to their shot location data, to the three-point shooting, and much more. Ryan runs through as many statistical aspects of the Nuggets as he can to describe Denver's season so far. Then, he goes around the league to talk about teams at the top and bottom of the Eastern and Western Conference.

Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 101-98 win over the Indiana Pacers as Will Barton leads the way with a season high 30 points, hitting the game-deciding shot in the process. Zeke Nnaji also set a career high of 19 points in 20 minutes off the bench, replacing Nikola Jokić and taking advantage of his moment. Ryan discusses the starters and their excellent defense, the bench now firmly led by Bones Hyland, and a championship caliber mentality helping Denver fight through adversity early in the season.