Julian Strawther shines in Nuggets preseason win vs Phoenix Suns

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Julian Strawther shines in Nuggets preseason win vs Phoenix Suns

FromPickaxe and Roll

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Length:

40 minutes

Released:

Oct 11, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Ryan Blackburn breaks down what happened in the Denver Nuggets preseason opener, a 115-107 win over the Phoenix Suns. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray were back on the court. Julian Strawther impressed with 20 points off the bench. Zeke Nnaji had 17 points and played some good defense. Ryan breaks it all down in the first game recap episode of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Released:

Oct 11, 2023

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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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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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The Nuggets are doubling down on Aaron Gordon: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets and Aaron Gordon agreeing to a four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million that could keep Denver's core together for years to come. Ryan discusses the contract value in a vacuum, why the Nuggets did the deal, what their other options were, and what's next for the Nuggets franchise. Hint: it's the luxury tax! by Pickaxe and Roll
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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58 min listen
Bol Bol and the summer Nuggets, what's up with the MPJ extension?: Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the Denver Nuggets 97-77 loss to the Miami Heat in Las Vegas Summer League, including an evaluation of Bol Bol, Caleb Agada, Davon Reed, and other contributors. Then, Ryan pivots to Michael Porter Jr. and his impending yet unsigned max rookie extension. What's the holdup? Should Nuggets fans be concerned? Finally, Ryan shares thoughts on tampering and how the NBA penalizing organizations for tampering charges is a futile endeavor. by Pickaxe and Roll
43 min listen
The gang's back together again...oh and hey Jeff Green?!: Ryan Blackburn breaks down the four signings the Denver Nuggets agreed to during the first several hours of free agency. Will Barton and JaMychal Green re-upped with Denver on two-year deals with modest raises. Austin Rivers also returned on a one-year deal. The biggest surprise was Brooklyn Nets forward Jeff Green signing a two-year deal worth $10 million. Ryan shares his thoughts on all of the signings, Michael Porter Jr. not being signed at the first opportunity, and the initial look at Denver's 15-man roster following the first day. by Pickaxe and Roll
39 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 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
Bucks vs Nuggets and the Beasts of the East: Ryan Blackburn is joined by Ti Windisch, host of the Gyro Step podcast covering the championship winning Milwaukee Bucks, stops by to discuss the top of the Eastern Conference. They begin with Bucks and Denver Nuggets comparisons, bemoan the strength (or lack their of) of the contenders in the middle of the pack, and share optimism on a surprising team. Then, they talk about the actual East contenders in the Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. by Pickaxe and Roll
76 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

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Murray and Jokić shine, Nuggets lock in late on defense to beat Utah: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 115-110 win over the Utah Jazz as Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić dominate in their minutes. Murray put up an efficient 30 points and 5 assists. Jokić put up a mean 31-point triple-double with four blocks and some clutch plays. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, the clutch defense vs normal defense, and where the Nuggets currently sit in the West standings. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen
Nuggets bench paves the way for an easy win over the Knicks: 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. by Pickaxe and Roll
55 min listen
Nikola Jokic's HISTORIC 53 point night not enough; Suns tie series 2-2: Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 129-124 loss to the Phoenix Suns despite Nikola Jokić's incredible 53-point night. The Suns only answer for Jokić was to outscore the Nuggets, and they did just that with incredible performances from Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and...Landry Shamet? Jamal Murray was good but not great, and the Nuggets struggled once again with Jokić off the floor. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and adjustments the Nuggets can and should make heading into Game 5 of a 2-2 series. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen
Nikola Jokić demolishes Wizards, gets ejected in close win: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 113-107 win over the Washington Wizards as Nikola Jokić goes full Joker against his former coach Wes Unseld Jr.. Jokić got a near 30-20-10 game before being ejected by eternal enemy Tony Brothers, and though the Nuggets nearly gave away the game without him, they had just enough of a cushion to win in his stead. Ryan discusses the first 30 minutes that saw the Nuggets go up by 30 points, the final 18 minutes that were emblematic of Denver's season, and the duality of Facu Campazzo in Denver's rotation. by Pickaxe and Roll
49 min listen
Another Jokić triple-double! | Nuggets win vs Luka Dončić, Mavericks: Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 118-109 win over the Dallas Mavericks as Nikola Jokić records his 21st triple-double. Jeff Green led all Nuggets scorers with 24 points. Michael Porter Jr. played an excellent game. Luka Dončić was awesome, but it didn't matter. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and where the Nuggets stand entering the All-Star break. by Pickaxe and Roll
49 min listen
Domination in the Big Apple: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 113-99 win over the New York Knicks that saw Nikola Jokić bounce back in a big way. He had 32 points on 19 shots in just 27 minutes, looking like the best player in the NBA once again. Zeke Nnaji also had a career high of 21 points as his three-point shooting continues to impress. Meanwhile, newcomer Davon Reed scored nine points and did bit of everything in his Nuggets debut. Ryan discusses it all, especially Reed, in the latest episode. by Pickaxe and Roll
32 min listen
Joker delivers another masterpiece to save the day: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 113-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder as Nikola Jokić puts together a masterful performance with 35 points on 13-of-15 from the field. Will Barton and Aaron Gordon put their own stamps on the game, while Monte Morris had the key sequence to close the deal. Ryan discusses the starters, an uninspiring bench performance, and another Jokić appreciation segment as he continues to excel. by Pickaxe and Roll
46 min listen
Jokić dominates, Nuggets bounce back with win vs Detroit Pistons: Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 119-100 win over the Detroit Pistons, snapping a four-game losing streak. Nikola Jokić went off with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Jamal Murray had a solid bounce back game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shot the ball well. It was a great recovery performance for a Nuggets team that needed it desperately. Ryan discusses it all on the latest episode. by Pickaxe and Roll
63 min listen
Nikola Jokic can't be stopped: Ryan breaks down the Denver Nuggets win over the Washington Wizards, Nikola Jokic's dominance, and the backup center issues facing Denver. by Pickaxe and Roll
43 min listen
Nikola Jokic DOMINATES with triple-double in Nuggets win vs Pelicans: Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 134-116 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans to improve to 7-1 on the season, the best record in the NBA. Nikola Jokic was dominant once again, while Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Julian Strawther all stepped up to fill the gaps left by the injury to Jamal Murray. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and what we learned from Denver's first game without their All-Star caliber point guard. by Pickaxe and Roll
34 min listen
Nuggets mess around, are clearly better than the Magic: 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. by Pickaxe and Roll
45 min listen
Nuggets win over Clippers a sign of things to come: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 126-115 preseason win over the Los Angeles Clippers as Nikola Jokić returns to the floor. The Nuggets go without a point guard in the starting lineup and made some exciting plays on both ends of the floor. Ryan discusses the starters showing good signs, the bench coming to play, and more takeaways from Denver's second preseason victory. by Pickaxe and Roll
34 min listen
Nikola Jokic EPIC buzzer beater completes comeback win vs Warriors: Ryan reacts to Nikola Jokic's epic bank shot buzzer beater from halfcourt in Nuggets comeback win over the Golden State Warriors. by Pickaxe and Roll
40 min listen
Thrill bounces back, Nuggets get crucial win over Lakers: Ryan Blackburn recaps the Denver Nuggets 129-118 win over the Los Angeles Lakers as Nikola Jokić once again has a monster game with 38 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 assists while out-dueling Anthony Davis down the stretch. Aaron Gordon stepped up in the first half, and Will Barton stepped up in the second half, hitting some massive threes to seal the game for Denver. Ryan discusses the starters, the bench, and what this game means for the playoff race. by Pickaxe and Roll
47 min listen
Embiid ducks Jokic; Nuggets defeat Sixers in close game: Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 116-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers as Nikola Jokić outscores Joel Embiid by 25 points, out-rebounds him by 17, and out-assists him by 12. Embiid missed tonight's game with a sore calf, and the Nuggets took advantage by jumping out to an insurmountable lead in the second half. Jamal Murray also played well, scoring and facilitating with both the starters and second unit. Ryan discusses the game, the narratives, and the fallout for the rest of the regular season. by Pickaxe and Roll
52 min listen

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Julian Strawther shines in Nuggets preseason win vs Phoenix Suns

Julian Strawther shines in Nuggets preseason win vs Phoenix Suns

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