The lineups that actually work + West playoff update

FromPickaxe and Roll

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The lineups that actually work + West playoff update

FromPickaxe and Roll

ratings:

Length:

46 minutes

Released:

Nov 30, 2022

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Ryan Blackburn shares data insights from his Denver Nuggets two-man Net Rating chart posted to Twitter on Tuesday. Ryan discusses the combinations that work, the ones that don't, and what to make of Denver's bench woes early on. Then, Ryan expands upon the Western Conference and posits why the West standings have been so condensed to begin the season.

Released:

Nov 30, 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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Bones Hyland makes his summer league debut, a discussion about backup center: In the 100th episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets loss to the Boston Celtics in the second summer league game, including the debut of Bones Hyland and the return of Zeke Nnaji. Ryan shares his thoughts on those two, Bol Bol's strong performance, and notes on other players making an impression. Then, Ryan discusses the backup center debate, from why the Nuggets haven't gone with a traditional backup to who makes the most sense as the primary relief option for Nikola Jokić in the regular season. by Pickaxe and Roll
42 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
Schedule drop, extension talk, and Nuggets betting futures: Ryan Blackburn covers several different topics in this episode, beginning with the tidbits of schedule news released that cover the preseason, opening week, and Christmas Day. The Nuggets not getting a Christmas game was weird. Then, Ryan rehashes extension discussions about Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon before transitioning into awards discussion, including Ryan's favorite Nuggets award bet at this moment. by Pickaxe and Roll
43 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
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
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
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
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
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
Markus Howard signs two-way, Bones Hyland shines in Summer League: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets bringing back guard Markus Howard on a two-way contract for a second season, including the team's depth chart, further needs, and how Denver plans to fill that second two-way roster spot. Then, Ryan goes in-depth on Bones Hyland and his performance at Summer League thus far, including walking back some hot (and negative) takes made on draft night. Ryan also discusses Zeke Nnaji, Caleb Agada, Zylan Cheatham, and other players on Denver's SL roster. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Least of the East with Justin Rowan: Ryan Blackburn and Justin Rowan, co-host of The Chase Down Podcast, preview the non-contenders of the Eastern Conference. From disagreements on actual playoff contenders to who the cellar dwellers will be, Ryan and Justin discuss Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, along with some brief thoughts on the New York Knicks. The East is certainly getting stronger than before, but will the teams at the bottom be strong enough to contend? by Pickaxe and Roll
65 min listen
Preseason storylines, Bones Hyland hype: Ryan Blackburn introduces Asher Levy (@AshManzini) and Peter Leensvaart (@PetePizza27) as the newest members of the Denver Stiffs writing staff. They discuss what's to come at Stiffs this year along with some words on the future of sports media. Then, they get into the first preseason game of the year against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night and who they're most excited to watch. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen

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The worst Nuggets loss in franchise playoff history?: Ryan goes over a horrible Nuggets loss in Game 6 to the Timberwolves, Jamal Murray's struggles, Michael Porter's poor play, and what to expect in Game 7. by Pickaxe and Roll
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The greatest playoff game of Nikola Jokic's career: Ryan reacts to the Nuggets Game 5 win over the Timberwolves, Nikola Jokic's master class, and if Denver has figured out Minnesota. by Pickaxe and Roll
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Nuggets collapse in Game 2, major questions arise: Ryan reacts to the Denver Nuggets Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, leadership concerns, and what comes next. by Pickaxe and Roll
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Nuggets lost Game 1. Here's how they bounce back...: Ryan goes over the Nuggets Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves, the Nikola Jokic-Jamal Murray dynamics, and how the Nuggets can bounce back in Game 2. by Pickaxe and Roll
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Denvengers Return! Nuggets-Timberwolves series preview and predictions: Ryan, Swipa, Adam, and Matt are back together for a Denvengers episode, previewing Nuggets-Timberwolves and the stories surrounding what should be an incredible playoff series. by Pickaxe and Roll
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Jamal Murray hits Game Winner AGAIN to end Nuggets-Lakers series: Ryan reacts to Jamal Murray second game winner of the series and the Nuggets eliminating the Lakers from the playoffs. by Pickaxe and Roll
42 min listen
What to make of Denver's Game 4 loss to the Lakers - Weekends with Swipa: Ryan and Swipa go over the Nuggets 119-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4. Can the Nuggets bounce back and put the series away in Game 5? by Pickaxe and Roll
60 min listen
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When will the Nuggets CLINCH the 1st seed in the West?: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Final 10 Games of the Denver Nuggets regular season schedule, sharing insights on scheduling and rest. He predicts how the Nuggets will wrap up the season, as well as their playoff seeding in the Western Conference. Finally, Ryan shares his expectations for individual players and how Denver can prepare for the playoffs in that way. by Pickaxe and Roll
48 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
How the Nuggets can FIX bench before the playoffs: Ryan Blackburn discusses the playoff picture and how both conferences are shaping up to have interesting playoff runs. Then, he shares his thoughts on the bench unit, including different ideas to solve it before the playoffs begin. Finally, Ryan previews the remainder of the Nuggets road trip, beginning with Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. by Pickaxe and Roll
49 min listen
Zeke Nnaji extension, NBA Over-Under Best Bets: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Zeke Nnaji contract extension and what he learned at Denver Nuggets practice on Sunday. Then, he went through the entire NBA and their Over-Unders on Superbook Sports, picking the best bets in the Western and Eastern Conference. Ryan isn't a gambling professional, but he knows the NBA preeeetty well. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
What to watch for in Nuggets-Lakers with Matt Brooks: Matt Brooks of the Denver Nuggets and nuggets.com joins Ryan Blackburn to preview and discuss the Denver Nuggets season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. They chat about the budding rivalry, how the Nuggets are approaching the game, who will play, and whether the Nuggets will end up with a win. Then, they bounce around the NBA with some bold predictions for the NBA season. by Pickaxe and Roll
57 min listen
KD versus Joker will have to wait: Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets game against the Brooklyn Nets being postponed, with the Nikola Jokić vs Kevin Durant battle having to wait just a little bit longer. Then, Ryan surveys the Nuggets and where they are as a team right now, from numbers to health to future prospects of playoffs. Finally, he breaks down the Grand Rapids Gold and how they're turning into the stomping ground for players hoping to make an NBA return. by Pickaxe and Roll
46 min listen
Can the Nuggets get revenge on the Pacific Division?: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the five teams in the Pacific Division: Golden State, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix, and Sacramento. He discusses their offseason moves, which teams will be contenders, and how the Denver Nuggets match up with each team. Ryan also discusses why beating Pacific teams in the playoffs would be such strong vindication for the Nuggets. by Pickaxe and Roll
51 min listen
The most important numbers in a Nuggets-Warriors playoff series: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the impending playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors by the numbers, discussing a variety of factors from the regular season that impact the outcome of this matchup. Draymond Green didn't play in any of the games, but the Nuggets won three out of four. From clutch ratings, to shooting data, to the most important play types, Ryan shares his thoughts on the series through a statistical lens and why the numbers matter. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen
Denver Nuggets superlatives for the 2021-22 season: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Jena Garcia, social media director for Denver Stiffs, to discuss the first few days of Denver Nuggets training camp. Then, they share their favorite Nuggets superlatives for the 2021-22 Nuggets season. From which player will score 40 first, to the opponent they are most excited to see, to the Nugget with the best hair, Ryan and Jena cover the very most important topics they possibly can. by Pickaxe and Roll
63 min listen
The Nuggets can learn a lot from the Warriors and Celtics: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, including how the Denver Nuggets can learn from the successes of each team. Then, Ryan discusses Denver's financial issues and why he expects cost cutting moves to be on the horizon, despite Nuggets officials arguing otherwise. by Pickaxe and Roll
38 min listen
Was the Denver Nuggets offseason good enough?: Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets offseason moves in their entirety now that the entire league has mostly settled down (save for the Brooklyn stars). What did the Nuggets exchange from 2021-22 to 2022-23 outside of potentially better health? Ryan shares his thoughts, then some discussion on the Western Conference as a whole and where Denver ranks within that hierarchy. by Pickaxe and Roll
39 min listen
Mailbag + West and East playoff predictions: Ryan Blackburn opens up the mailbag to answer some of the questions he couldn't get to in an article on MHS. From Zeke Nnaji's status, to load management, to biggest strengths and weaknesses, Ryan discusses a lot. Then, Ryan predicts the records, playoff fields, and winners of both the Western and Eastern Conferences before giving a Finals pick. by Pickaxe and Roll
51 min listen

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The lineups that actually work + West playoff update

The lineups that actually work + West playoff update

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