Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn is joined by Crown Hoops NBA Draft Analyst and Denver Nuggets fan CTFazio in a two-part podcast. In Part 2, Ryan and CT go over various point guard, shooting guard, and big wing prospects that the Nuggets might select in the 2024 NBA Draft next week. They also make predictions on what the Nuggets actually do with the 28th and 56th picks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

Ryan Blackburn is joined by Crown Hoops NBA Draft Analyst and Denver Nuggets fan CTFazio in a two-part podcast. In Part 1, Ryan and CT go over the 2024 NBA Draft and preview some of the most interesting prospects at the top of the draft. They also discuss the best candidates at Backup Center the Nuggets can find with the 28th overall pick. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz....

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the end of the 2023-24 NBA season that saw the Boston Celtics win the NBA Finals over the Dallas Mavericks. Why didn't the Denver Nuggets win it? What other takeaways were there from the season? Then, Ryan goes over the 2024-25 favorites and what to expect from teams taking the next step. Finally, he discusses the bench minutes and the one thing the Nuggets have never trie...

Ryan Blackburn goes over the rise of the Boston Celtics, how they built their roster, and what the Denver Nuggets can learn from their success. Ryan discusses Denver's limited trade assets and future draft picks before debating whether a Nuggets vs Celtics NBA Finals is still possible after some missed opportunities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abo...

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets search for a roster upgrade this off-season. After losing Bruce Brown last year, the Nuggets missed everything he provided to the playoff rotation. The Nuggets didn't truly replace him last year. Will they make the same mistake this year? Ryan discusses the need for a strong Sixth Man, options at combo guard in...

(Recorded on Thursday afternoon LIVE from L'Eagle Denver) The NBA Finals are here, and the Denver Nuggets are sitting on the sidelines after a disappointing end to the season. What can the Nuggets learn from the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks as they clash in the NBA Finals. How can the Nuggets look to improve the bench, and what does the NBA's new media rights deals mean for basketball fans...

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets offseason and presents several fake trade ideas from Nuggets fans. Do they make the Nuggets better or worse? How does the new CBA and the second tax apron affect what the Nuggets can do? Ryan goes over all of the details, discusses trades involving Zeke Nnaji, Reggie Jackson, Michael Porter Jr., and others. Jake Coyne's Denver Nuggets offseason preview H...

In the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn goes through the veterans on the roster in his final Season-In-Review episode for the week. Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were exactly what the Nuggets needed, but what about the other veterans? Reggie Jackson? Justin Holiday? DeAndre Jordan? Did the Nuggets have enough veteran talent to win a championship? Ryan goes over the de...

Ryan Blackburn goes over the 2023-24 seasons for the Denver Nuggets young guys. Prospects Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, and Hunter Tyson played varying roles for the Nuggets, and all are under contract for next season. Which players impressed? Which players regressed? Is there a future starter among the Nuggets young guys to eventually replace veteran...

Ryan Blackburn begin Season In Review content for Pickaxe and Roll with evaluations for Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. as the team stars. Did the trio meet expectations? Where can they be better? Most importantly of all, can they be the leading trio on a championship team? Ryan discusses it all with a realistic look at Denver's future for their star trio in the m...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa go over the latest comments from Calvin Booth, Josh Kroenke, and Michael Malone on the future of the Denver Nuggets. Will there be major changes going forward? What's up with the free agency of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? How do the Nuggets become better prepared for the playoffs in the future? Ryan and Swipa discuss yesterday's...

Ryan Blackburn shares his thoughts on the end of the 2023-24 NBA Season for the Denver Nuggets. What were the moments worth remembering? What moments were forgettable? Ryan discusses the plan heading into the season and whether there were problems from the outset. Did Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth do the right thing by going young? Ryan goes over those points and answers questions about the...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets stunning 98-90 Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets led by 20 points early in the fourth quarter before an offensive collapse led to a competitive fourth quarter. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, simply made more plays than the Nuggets. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic showed up for Denver, but they weren't perfect, and the Nugget...

Ryan Blackburn previews Sunday's Game 7 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets hosted practice on Saturday, and Ryan discusses what was said and what went down. After that, he goes through the Nuggets history of Game 7's. Then, Ryan shares his keys to victory for Sunday night, what Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and the Nuggets can do vs the Tim...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 115-70 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 as the series evens up at 3-3. Nuggets-Timberwolves will go to Game 7 on Sunday. Ryan discusses the struggles of Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and the bench regressing to the mean on the road. Nikola Jokic was fine, but even a spectacular Jokic wouldn't have saved Denver last night. Ryan goe...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 112-97 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the playoff series. Nikola Jokic was incredible with 40 points, 13 assists, and zero turnovers after receiving his third MVP award pregame. Jokic attacked Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid, and every player in front of him with a level of control and excellence rarely seen...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa react to the Denver Nuggets crucial Game 4 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nikola Jokic was spectacular, Aaron Gordon was immaculate, and Jamal Murray hit the biggest shot of the game, a halfcourt buzzer beater, to propel the Nuggets to a tied series. What happens next? Can the Nuggets finish the job and complete the serie...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets big 117-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to take Game 3 and make this matchup a series. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic bounced back in a major way, Michael Porter Jr. was back to his efficient shooting ways, and the Nuggets defense contained Anthony Edwards and the T'Wolves nicely. Can Denver use this momentum to get back into the series down 2-1? H...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the announcement of Nikola Jokic winning his third MVP of the last four seasons, one of the most dominant runs of any player in NBA history. Ryan discusses Jokic's place among the NBA Greats, then he looks more closely at Game 3 and how the Nuggets can get back into their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.c...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the epic meltdown last night as the Denver Nuggets lost 106-80 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jamal Murray was horrible and chucked a heat pack on the floor. Nikola Jokic was flustered all night by the size/physicality of the T'Wolves defense. Michael Malone nearly tried to fight Marc Davis. It was a no good, very bad day for Nuggets Nation. Ryan discusses what happened, w...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 106-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1. Anthony Edwards was incredible. Nikola Jokic was merely good. Jamal Murray was held scoreless in the first half. The Nuggets had chances to win the game at the end, but the Timberwolves outplayed Denver in clutch time decisively. Ryan goes over what happened, expectations for Game 2, and whether a Nugg...

The Denvengers are back! Ryan Blackburn, Swipa, Adam Mares, and Matt Moore combine forces to preview the upcoming playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Will Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continue to dominate in the two-man game? Can the Nuggets slow down Anthony Edwards? Who will be the X-Factors for each team? The fellas share their thoughts and offer a series pred...

Ryan Blackburn shares his final Hangover takes from the Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers playoff series and goes briefly around the NBA with takes on the rest of the playoffs. Then, he does his first deep dive into the Minnesota Timberwolves. Just how dangerous are they? What do the Nuggets need to know heading into the second round series? Are the Timberwolves really the most dangerous West p...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to take Game 5 and the series. Jamal Murray hit an epic game-winning shot with three seconds left, his second of the series. Michael Porter Jr. was outstanding. Nikola Jokic did enough. Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope filled in the gaps. The Nuggets needed everything to get by LeBron James, Anthony Davis,...

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa react to the Denver Nuggets losing Game 4 to the Los Angeles Lakers, prolonging the first round series until at least Game 5. What kind of concerns are there following the loss? Has Jamal Murray's struggles shooting been a big deal or a little deal? What kind of effort should the Nuggets expect from the Lakers in Game 5? Use code MHS to sign up for the best Denver Nuggets...