Jamal Murray is feeling and playing better at Training Camp

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Jamal Murray is feeling and playing better at Training Camp

FromPickaxe and Roll

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Length:

29 minutes

Released:

Sep 28, 2022

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the sights and sounds of Day 1 of Training Camp in San Diego. Michael Malone shared some interesting tidbits about Denver's approach to the season and Michael Porter Jr.'s expectations. Jamal Murray shared his progress toward on-court success. Christian Braun gave some insight into his experience as a rookie. Ryan discusses it all and more.

Released:

Sep 28, 2022

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Ryan Blackburn from MileHighSports.com brings you the latest news and analysis for the Denver Nuggets on every episode, including some of the best guests from around the NBA.

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Celebrating a bittersweet Denver Nuggets season: Ryan Blackburn discusses the final game of the Denver Nuggets season, a 125-118 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 to complete the series sweep. Nikola Jokić was ejected, and the Nuggets hung around anyway because that's who they are, led by Will Barton in tonight's contest. Ryan discusses the game, the Jokić ejection, the resiliency of the Denver Nuggets, and the best parts of the 2020-21 season. Finally, Ryan initiates some offseason discussion. by Pickaxe and Roll
47 min listen
Which free agents should the Nuggets target?: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the salary cap situation for the Denver Nuggets entering the 2021 offseason, including the impacts of Will Barton and JaMychal Green accepting or declining their upcoming player options. Then, Ryan shares his thoughts on the 2021 free agent class through the lens of what the Nuggets could realistically do. Could the Nuggets afford the full mid-level exception? Which position group should they look to improve? Who are the top players they could add? Ryan discusses a variety of names, from Reggie Bullock, to Alex Caruso, to Nicolas Batum, to Boban Marjanovic. by Pickaxe and Roll
64 min listen
Jena Garcia on the 2020-21 NBA season and the future of the Denver Nuggets: Ryan Blackburn and Jena Garcia, social media director of Denver Stiffs, discuss the long and arduous 2020-21 season. From a basketball perspective, they delve into the Nuggets and the highs and lows experienced throughout the year and how the championship expectations were completely valid. From a media perspective, they discuss what it was like to cover the team on Zoom in the Bubble and in empty arenas for the last year. Finally, they share thoughts on the future of the Denver Nuggets organization and where they go from here. by Pickaxe and Roll
74 min listen
JaMychal Green opts out, big free agency rumors, my Nuggets draft big board: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on JaMychal Green opting out of his player option for the next season to become a free agent. What does it mean for Denver? Will he be back? Can they replace him? Ryan shares his thoughts on where the roster stands prior to the NBA Draft. Then, he goes over free agency rumors surrounding Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons, and the crazy point guard market in free agency that involves Lonzo Ball.Finally, Ryan shares his 2021 NBA Draft big board from 1 to 35 that is entirely Nuggets focused. by Pickaxe and Roll
51 min listen
A deep dive on the Denver Nuggets guard rotation, Part 2: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the NBA Draft lottery results and how each of the teams at the top have had their fortunes altered by the night's results, including the Detroit Pistons winning the first overall pick. Then, Ryan shares thoughts on Suns-Clippers Game 2 and how this simply may be Phoenix's year to go all the way. Finally, he continues his deep dive covering every player on the Denver Nuggets. This episode, Ryan discusses Will Barton, Facundo Campazzo, Austin Rivers, and Shaq Harrison, including whether each player will remain in a Nuggets uniform. by Pickaxe and Roll
51 min listen
Nuggets melt down in third quarter, lose Game 1 to Suns: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 122-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the first game of the second round. The Suns did some impressive things offensively while the Nuggets fell apart in the second half, losing contact with the Suns by the fourth quarter. Ryan discusses what went wrong for Denver through the lens of the battlegrounds in this series. He shares why Nuggets fans shouldn't overreact while also being honest about Denver's subpar performance. by Pickaxe and Roll
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Gut-check time for the Denver Nuggets: Ryan Blackburn shares his belated thoughts on the Denver Nuggets Game 2 blowout loss to the Phoenix Suns and its most disappointing aspects before discussing what the Nuggets can do to change things in Game 3. From improvements in shooting, to the play of Michael Porter Jr., to possible starting lineup changes, Ryan shares his honest thoughts on where the Nuggets currently stand. Then, Ryan discusses the article posted on Denver Stiffs about Denver's future outlook. by Pickaxe and Roll
42 min listen
Big Honey...The Joker...MVP: Ryan Blackburn relishes in the announcement that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić officially won the 2020-21 NBA MVP award in a landslide on Tuesday afternoon. Ryan discusses the season Jokić had, from the early season magnificence to the late season carrying of the walking wounded. Then, Ryan discusses the franchise and cultural impact that Jokić's MVP award may have on the Nuggets, the city of Denver, and the NBA at large. by Pickaxe and Roll
34 min listen
Nuggets Free Agency Primer Part 1 - Will Barton and Denver's own free agents: Ryan Blackburn shares his seemingly unending thoughts on the 2021 free agency period, first looking around the NBA to discuss the most important teams, players, and decisions to be made over the next few days. Then, Ryan talks about the Denver Nuggets specifically, starting with who they have on roster, what their resources are, and what they need to become better. Finally, Ryan shares whether each of Denver's seven free agents the Nuggets should keep or let go. by Pickaxe and Roll
57 min listen
Is Damian Lillard unhappy in Portland? Nuggets big man rotation: Ryan Blackburn discusses the messy situation surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard. Who's to blame? What's going to happen? Should the Denver Nuggets try to get involved?Then, Ryan wraps up his end-of-season evaluation series with some thoughts on the Nuggets big man rotation. Will Paul Millsap be back next year? Should JaVale McGee have played more minutes? Is Zeke Nnaji in line for a breakout season? How can Nikola Jokić get more rest? Ryan discusses it all and more. by Pickaxe and Roll
59 min listen
Giannis, Luka, Jokić, and the next era of NBA super teams: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the wave of international talent in the NBA and how it will continue to define the next era of basketball at the highest level. From Nikola Jokić, to Giannis Antetokounmpo, to Luka Dončić, to other foreign born stars, why are all of these players surrounded by such drama right now? Ryan speculates what will happen with various international players as well as the possibility of forming super teams with this group that likes and respects each other. by Pickaxe and Roll
48 min listen
The Nuggets can't solve their defensive issues, go down 3-0: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 116-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns, going down 3-0 in their second round playoff series. Nikola Jokić was presented with the MVP trophy at the beginning of the game, but the Nuggets quickly fell behind the Suns in the first half and could never recover. Ryan discusses what went wrong for the Nuggets, what there's left to play for, and a quick retrospective on this series if Jamal Murray and P.J. Dozier were involved. by Pickaxe and Roll
38 min listen
Jeff Morton on Wes Unseld Jr., the NBA Finals, and the Nuggets: Ryan Blackburn and Jeff Morton, host of the CSG Podcast, discuss the potential loss of Wes Unseld Jr. to the Washington Wizards before discussing Game 4 of the NBA Finals and what comes next for both the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Then, Ryan and Jeff discuss the Michael Porter Jr. extension, Aaron Gordon, Will Barton, and JaMychal Green. Basically, every player in line for a significant contract this offseason. by Pickaxe and Roll
64 min listen
A deep dive on the Denver Nuggets guard rotation, Part 1: Ryan Blackburn breaks down aspects of the Denver Nuggets guard rotation, focusing in on Player Grades for the 2020-21 NBA season. Ryan shares his thoughts on Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, P.J. Dozier, and Markus Howard. What were the biggest surprises, disappointments, and questions surrounding those four guards?Part 2 featuring Will Barton, Facundo Campazzo, Austin Rivers, and Shaq Harrison on Wednesday. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
Jake Coyne on Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nuggets free agency: Ryan Blackburn brings on Jake Coyne, data scientist and NBA analytics freelancer (@BroncoSquatch on Twitter), to dive deep into the Denver Nuggets forward rotation and offseason decisions. How will the Nuggets handle extension talks with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon? Will JaMychal Green, Vlatko Čančar, or Bol Bol be back in Denver? What do the Nuggets need at forward beyond those players? Ryan and Jake share their brief thoughts on forward targets in free agency as well. by Pickaxe and Roll
58 min listen
What happens if the Nuggets don't offer MPJ the max?: Ryan Blackburn breaks down every angle of the impending Michael Porter Jr. extension. From how many players earn the max, to how the Nuggets can continue building a contender around three large contracts, to what happens if the Nuggets don't offer the deal, Ryan shares his wide ranging thoughts on a pivot point for the Nuggets franchise. Ryan also discusses which players Denver may target in a trade if they are unwilling to offer Porter a max deal. by Pickaxe and Roll
60 min listen
Evaluating Tim Connelly and Michael Malone: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the insane number of injuries that have affected the 2021 NBA playoffs. From Jamal Murray and your Denver Nuggets to Giannis Antetokounmpo going down in Game 4 of the ECF on Tuesday night. From there, Ryan also discusses the ECF and WCF series before diving deep into the performances of head coach Michael Malone and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly for the Nuggets during the 2020-21 season. From the draft and free agency all the way through losing to the Suns and everything in between. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
Mark Schindler on the NBA Finals, Nuggets NBA Draft prospects: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Mark Schindler of Premium Hoops to discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the Suns taking a 1-0 lead over the Bucks. They discuss Giannis, Chris Paul's brilliance, Jrue Holiday's struggles, and whether the Bucks have what it takes to win this series.Then, they transition into NBA Draft coverage, discussing five interesting prospects that have/will be covered at Denver Stiffs: Chris Duarte, Usman Garuba, Tre Mann, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Miles (Deuce) McBride. by Pickaxe and Roll
80 min listen
Around the league, Preparing for the end of the preseason: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on several teams around the league that are either impressing or underwhelming in preseason so far. Then, he discusses the Nuggets and what to watch for in the upcoming trip to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder twice. Does Will Barton look healthy? Do the starters dominate? What does the bench unit look like? Finally, Ryan shares his thoughts on the Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving situations that are overshadowing what should be a fun NBA season. by Pickaxe and Roll
44 min listen
Will Barton declines player option, offseason gets interesting: Ryan Blackburn discusses Will Barton declining his player option and choosing to explore free agency. What are the ramifications for the Denver Nuggets? Who will go after Will Barton? How hard should the Nuggets work to re-sign him?Then, Ryan discusses the next crop of NBA Draft workouts on Monday for the Nuggets before sharing his thoughts on Game 5 of the NBA Finals. by Pickaxe and Roll
53 min listen
The Milwaukee Bucks are one step ahead of the Denver Nuggets: Ryan Blackburn discusses the two NBA Finals participants, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns, how they match up, and predicts the outcome of the series. Then, he shares his thoughts on NBA playoff trends and how they apply to the Denver Nuggets, most importantly the value of scoring guards and forwards that play small ball center. Finally, Ryan breaks down the connections between the Bucks of two years ago and the Nuggets now. Can Denver learn anything from Milwaukee's successes and failures? by Pickaxe and Roll
57 min listen
The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA champions, Nuggets fans should celebrate with them: Ryan Blackburn breaks down Game 6 of the NBA Finals that saw the Milwaukee Bucks move from pretender to champion in the blink of an eye. He shares thoughts on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, the Bucks' long, winding road, and how Nuggets fans can feel knowing the Bucks succeeded. Finally, Ryan shares his way-too-early NBA season predictions for 2021-22. by Pickaxe and Roll
46 min listen
Jaden Springer, Deuce McBride, and NBA Draft Superlatives with Brandon Ewing: Ryan Blackburn and Brandon Ewing of Denver Stiffs share their extensive thoughts on the 2021 NBA Draft in the form of Draft Superlatives. Who will be the best player? The biggest bust? The surprise star? The perfect Denver Nuggets selection? Ryan and Brandon run through much of the 2021 draft class and share their thoughts on the Nuggets throughout the episode. by Pickaxe and Roll
95 min listen
Olympics update, Nuggets offseason timeline: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the NBA Finals and the Game 3 win by the Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns, including the dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Then, he pivots to discussion on the Olympics, from the previous qualifying tournaments to news and notes about the scrimmages, including Nigerian national team guard Caleb Agada who will play for the Nuggets in Summer League. Finally, Ryan discusses the timeline of events the Nuggets will face over the next four weeks that will direct their offseason. by Pickaxe and Roll
46 min listen
Are the Nuggets trading up? NBA Draft primer with Brandon Anderson: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Brandon Anderson of The Action Network (@wheatonbrando) to discuss the 2021 NBA Draft. Which prospects does Brandon believe in? Is Jaden Springer a star in hiding? Can the Denver Nuggets actually trade up, per reports from earlier today?Then, Ryan and Brandon discuss a wide range of combo guards and wings that could be available for the Nuggets at 26. Which players are the most talented, the best fit, or the bust waiting to happen? From Deuce McBride to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, they discuss several names connected to the Nuggets at various points. by Pickaxe and Roll
77 min listen
Where do the Nuggets rank in the Western Conference now?: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets as they approach Summer League having missed several practices due health and safety protocols. What does this two-week stretch mean for Bol Bol, Markus Howard, Zeke Nnaji, Bones Hyland, and others on the roster? Then, Ryan goes around the league to discuss the biggest offseason changes before sharing an initial list of the Western Conference tiers, ranking each team's likelihood of winning the West next season. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
Bones Hyland to the Denver Nuggets; reacting to the NBA Draft with Gordon Gross: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Gordon Gross, senior writer at Denver Stiffs, to discuss the 2021 NBA Draft and the Denver Nuggets selecting Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland at 26th overall. They talk about the strengths and weaknesses, player comparisons, what this means for the Nuggets in free agency, and more. Then, they revisit the rest of the draft and share their takes about the rest of the league. by Pickaxe and Roll
69 min listen
Mailbag: Top Nuggets free agency targets, draft predictions, championship windows: Ryan Blackburn answers listener questions about the Denver Nuggets on a wide variety of off-season topics focused on the NBA Draft, free agency, and trades. He shares thoughts on Michael Porter Jr., how the Nuggets can continue to get better, why Reggie Bullock should be Denver's top free agency target, and much more. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
The Bones and Bol show: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 103-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in the preseason opener. Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon looked impressive, and P.J. Dozier was an all-around impact guy. The most intrigue occurred with the bench lineup though, led by young standouts Bones Hyland and Bol Bol. Ryan discusses all of the details of Denver's first preseason game and where the Nuggets go from here. by Pickaxe and Roll
37 min listen
10 pitfalls that will stop the Denver Nuggets from winning a title: Ryan Blackburn discusses the 10 biggest pitfalls for the Denver Nuggets entering the 2021-22 season. Will Nikola Jokić stay healthy? Can Jamal Murray be the player the Nuggets need him to be when he returns? What if Michael Porter Jr. doesn't make the leap others assume he will make? Ryan discusses those scenarios and more, the biggest pitfalls that may prevent the Nuggets from winning the 2021-22 NBA championship. by Pickaxe and Roll
40 min listen

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Will Michael Porter Jr. ever reach his full potential?: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the past, present, and future of Michael Porter Jr. in a Denver Nuggets uniform. He focuses on MPJ's last healthy season, his most pivotal moments so far, and what the Nuggets can expect from him following his back injury. Will MPJ return to normal and reach his potential? Or will his story be more complicated than that? by Pickaxe and Roll
44 min listen
MPJ back! Nuggets roll over Blazers: 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. by Pickaxe and Roll
47 min listen
The Denver Nuggets are READY to make their championship run: 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. by Pickaxe and Roll
58 min listen
Where the Nuggets stand after 10 games: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the first 10 games of the season for the Denver Nuggets, using both numbers and rhetoric to explain Denver's 7-3 start. Ryan discusses Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., the bench lineups, and much more. Then, he gives an overview of the rest of the NBA and where Denver stands among contenders to begin the 2022-23 season. by Pickaxe and Roll
51 min listen
Denver Nuggets 2022-23 rotation preview: Ryan Blackburn previews the Denver Nuggets rotation for the 2022-23 season, including the wrinkles involved when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are forced to rest. How will the Nuggets approach the beginning of the season? What will they look like when they're fully healthy. Ryan shares his thoughts on several lineup combinations, including Denver's most important groups for both the regular season and the playoffs. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen
Fascinating practice + Previewing Denver’s early season schedule and rotation: Ryan Blackburn shares his observations of Denver Nuggets practice and several quotes from Michael Malone, Nikola Jokić, and Ish Smith. He discusses the health of Denver's three stars, Denver's rotation questions, and a version of Jokić that's very serious and no nonsense. Finally, Ryan previews Denver's early season slate and gives a win-loss prediction. by Pickaxe and Roll
43 min listen
Previewing Nuggets season opener + Award predictions: Ryan Blackburn reacts to Tuesday's practice and various comments by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić. Then, he previews the season opener matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. Though Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell are out, there are still enough quality Jazz veterans to upset the Nuggets on opening night. Finally, Ryan makes award predictions for MVP, DPOY, MIP, and more. by Pickaxe and Roll
36 min listen
Is Damian Lillard unhappy in Portland? Nuggets big man rotation: Ryan Blackburn discusses the messy situation surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard. Who's to blame? What's going to happen? Should the Denver Nuggets try to get involved?Then, Ryan wraps up his end-of-season evaluation series with some thoughts on the Nuggets big man rotation. Will Paul Millsap be back next year? Should JaVale McGee have played more minutes? Is Zeke Nnaji in line for a breakout season? How can Nikola Jokić get more rest? Ryan discusses it all and more. by Pickaxe and Roll
59 min listen
Michael Porter Jr. signs max extension, Jamal Murray speaks at media day: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Gordon Gross, senior writer for Denver Stiffs, to discuss Monday's media day events in full. They begin with the timely max extension of Michael Porter Jr., signed one day before the start of training camp, covering what this means for Porter, for Denver's financial situation, and the goals of the organization. Then, they circle back to media day, from Michael Malone and Tim Connelly sharing their expectations to Jamal Murray speaking to the media while recovering from knee surgery. Ryan and Gordon share their thoughts on the news and quotes, their feelings on Bones Hyland, Zeke Nnaji, and Bol Bol, and then wrap up with a message about the COVID-19 vaccine. by Pickaxe and Roll
76 min listen
A Nuggets smorgasbord + a Jamal Murray rant: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on Nikola Jokić, Team Serbia, and how the elimination bracket in EuroBasket sets up for a difficult but rewarding road. Then, some thoughts on Denver's under-discussed players in the back half of the roster, including DeAndre Jordan and Christian Braun. Finally, Ryan rants a bit about Jamal Murray and how he needs Nikola Jokić, but Jokić clearly needs him too. by Pickaxe and Roll
43 min listen
The Denver Nuggets are ONE win away from a championship: Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 108-95 win over the Miami Heat to win Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Denver. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray were both good tonight, but they weren't the main storylines. Instead, it was Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown stepping up and making a difference as the Heat did everything they could to slow Jokić and Murray. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench groups, the defense, and much more from Game 4. Then, he talks about how the Nuggets are one win away from a championship. by Pickaxe and Roll
48 min listen
Nuggets midseason grades + Two-Man Lineups: Ryan Blackburn evaluates the first half of the season by handing out midseason grades to Michael Malone, Calvin Booth, and every Nuggets player on the roster. Who met expectations? Who exceeded expectations? Did anybody have a failing grade? Ryan discusses it all before going over his Two-Man Net Ratings chart at the midseason point as well, sharing takeaways and proclamations along the way. by Pickaxe and Roll
53 min listen

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Jamal Murray is feeling and playing better at Training Camp

Jamal Murray is feeling and playing better at Training Camp

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