Pickaxe and Roll

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 112-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to take Game 3. The Nuggets are now up 3-0 in the series over the Lakers, who are reeling from their ELEVENTH (11) straight loss to the Nuggets. Everyone played a part in this victory for Denver, with Michael Porter Jr, and Aaron Gordon stepping up in a big way. Ryan discusses Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, LeBron...

Ryan Blackburn answers mailbag questions for Pickaxe and Roll on a variety of topics surrounding the Denver Nuggets. Can they defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3? What will it take for a SWEEP? What version of Jamal Murray will the Nuggets get? Who can help the Nuggets off the bench? Ryan goes over all of the fun questions before going around the NBA to discuss other playoff matchups. Use code...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 101-99 win in which Jamal Murray, after starting the game poorly, ended up the game with an epic buzzer beater over Anthony Davis. The Nuggets were down by as many as 20 points but fought back in the second half for an opportunity to take the lead. Murray was clutch. Nikola Jokic was amazing. Michael Porter Jr. was essential. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa break down the Denver Nuggets 114-103 Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, giving the Nuggets a 1-0 lead in the first round series. Nikola Jokic was incredible. Jamal Murray was a playmaker. Michael Porter Jr. made an impact, and the team did enough to combat great games from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They also discuss...

Anthony Irwin of Lakers Lounge joins Ryan Blackburn to preview the Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers first round playoff series from the enemy perspective. Do the Nuggets really have a mental advantage over the Lakers? What can the Lakers do to counter Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray? What are the most important keys for both sides? Anthony and Ryan break it all down. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ads...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday night, earning the seventh seed. They will face the second seed Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Ryan reacts to the game, initial thoughts on the Nuggets and Lakers and how they match up, and discusses the West being so difficult that the Lakers might be a f...

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa react to the Denver Nuggets 126-111 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the final game of the regular season. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were great. The Nuggets secured the 2-seed after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost their final game, meaning Denver will face the winner of the Play-In Game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Ryan and...

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets horrible, no-good, very bad loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the buzzer. The Nuggets were up 23 points but lost 121-120 after Devonte' Graham hit a floater over Jamal Murray in transition. Ryan discusses the game, who to blame for the collapse, and what a loss means for Denver. The Nuggets were all set to clinch the 1-seed, but now, that appears to be lo...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 116-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to reclaim the top seed in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic was spectacular, scoring 41 points and dominating his individual matchup with Rudy Gobert. Jamal Murray played well and gave the Nuggets a boost. It was Christian Braun and Peyton Watson that sealed the win for Denver though with defense, hustle, a...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 111-95 win vs the Utah Jazz. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were dynamic, and the Nuggets got some help from Christian Braun and Peyton Watson. The win sets up a big matchup tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves for first place in the Western Conference. Both teams are on a back-to-back. Which team will take control of the West in the final game of...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa pick every individual NBA award for the 2023-24 NBA Season. From Nikola Jokic for Most Valuable Player, to Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year, to All-NBA teams, they go over their official awards ballots of the 2023-24 season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets dominating 142-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Jamal Murray's return to the floor. Murray had a solid performance, while the entire Nuggets rotation made 23 three-pointers, the most of the season. Nikola Jokic had another triple-double, and the bench played very well. The Nuggets are in control of their own destiny for the top seed in the Western Confe...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 102-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. The Nuggets had plenty of chances to win but didn't execute well enough down the stretch. The bench woes didn't help, and despite a masterclass performance from Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets couldn't get it done. Ryan goes over the game, the All-Defensive chances for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and A...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 110-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs, a matchup between the best player in the league in Nikola Jokic and the future of the league in Victor Wembanyama. The Nuggets survived an off shooting night with the help of a clutch Michael Porter Jr. three-pointer, Aaron Gordon's impact, and Christian Braun's passing. Ryan discusses the game, the MVP Straw Pol...

Ryan Blackburn and Swipa go over the Denver Nuggets dominant blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Easter Sunday, focusing on Nikola Jokic making an MVP statement. The Nuggets shot the ball well from three-point range, and the offense was humming. Ryan and Swipa discuss Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shooting well, Reggie Jackson bouncing back, and where the Nuggets bench ca...

Ryan Blackburn discusses the Denver Nuggets 111-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in which the T'Wolves were prepared and the Nuggets were not. Denver didn't play well, and without Jamal Murray, weaknesses in Denver's offense are beginning to emerge. Are the T'Wolves a problem for the Nuggets in a playoff series? Ryan discusses, while also discussing Jamal Murray's health concerns. Hosted by S...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 104-97 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Denver's second home loss to Phoenix in just under three weeks. Nikola Jokic was comfortable making the passes out to shooters, but the Nuggets didn't hit enough shots around him. This is the second game vs the Suns with a similar script, so should the Nuggets be concerned? How dangerous are the Suns to Denver? To other t...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets dominant 128-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Nikola Jokic was in control, the young guys like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson stepped up. It was an impressive performance without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Ryan reacts to the win, credits the unsung heroes, and credits the team for doing what he's asked them to do for a long time. Hosted by Simp...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa break down the Denver Nuggets 114-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Without Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets still found a way to win, with Christian Braun standing out in all of the right ways. The Nuggets won their 50th game, and Ryan and Swipa go over whether the Nuggets are peaking at the right time or if t...

Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets 113-100 win over the New York Knicks in one of the most entertaining games of the year. The Nuggets made spectacular plays, led by Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. who were absolutely sensational for much of the night. The Nuggets are 49-21 through 70 games, and Ryan discusses Jokic's MVP bid, Porter taking his game to a new level, and much more. Host...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 115-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to wrap up a strong road trip. Nikola Jokic scored 35 points, and Michael Porter Jr. had 26 himself, including a clutch fourth quarter performance. Ryan goes over the details of the game, matching up with Anthony Edwards, Denver's offensive weak points, and Denver's relatively easy remaining schedule. Hosted...

On the latest episode of Weekends with Swipa, Ryan Blackburn and Swipa break down the Denver Nuggets 107-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks as Kyrie Irving makes an epic running left-handed hook shot over Jokic from 20 feet out to win at the buzzer. The Nuggets were down by double-digits in the fourth quarter but worked their way back. Unfortunately, late heroics from Jamal Murray and the Nuggets we...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 117-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Nikola Jokic matched up with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and showed the rookie some impressive moves. Jamal Murray and the Nuggets bench found their stride in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets did a great job staying locked in throughout the game and reclaimed first place in the West, if only for a short tim...

Recorded on Wednesday night from Number Thirty Eight, Ryan Blackburn and Shawn Drotar break down the Denver Nuggets 100-88 win over the Miami Heat as the Nuggets take sole possession of the first seed in the Western Conference. Michael Porter Jr. led the way with 25 points, Reggie Jackson played a pivotal fourth quarter role, and the Nuggets defense absolutely locked in. The Nuggets are 10-1 post...

Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets 125-119 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors, who were injured beyond belief but still put up a fight. Nikola Jokic put up another absurd triple-double with six steals to match, and Jamal Murray helped close the door in the fourth quarter with dynamic playmaking. Ryan discusses the game, the individual and collective dominance of Jokic and Murray, All...