Podcast appearances and mentions of Jamal Murray

The Denver Nuggets continue fighting for top playoff position in the West while facing renewed pressure around Jamal Murray’s health. With Murray battling an ankle injury as the postseason approaches, does Denver still have a path to the Western Conference Finals, or are they more likely to fall short before then? We break down Denver’s playoff ceiling, their biggest obstacle, and what has to happen for Nikola Jokic to make another title run.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets comeback win vs San Antonio Spurs. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were fantastic, while Spencer Jones played perhaps his best game of the year. Ryan discusses the comeback, why it matters, and what's next for Denver: a HUGE game vs the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Come to Number Thirty-Eight to the Mile High Sports Watch Party on Saturday Night for food, drinks, giveaways, and a pregame podcast with Ryan Blackburn before the Nuggets face the Lakers! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NFL free agency opened with several major moves that could reshape next season. We break down Baltimore trading for Maxx Crosby, Kansas City adding Kenneth Walker III, and Miami preparing to release Tua Tagovailoa. In the NBA, Jayson Tatum returned for Boston and immediately looked comfortable after injury, which raises a bigger question about whether the Celtics are once again the favorites in the East. We also evaluate Denver’s playoff outlook as Jamal Murray deals with injury concerns and the Nuggets battle for playoff position in the West.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 3rd hour, Dover and Richie recapped last night's Nuggets win over the Spurs. The guys talked about how good Jamal Murray was last night. The fellas reacted to the Avs getting a big win over Seattle. What did Jared Bednar think of the power play and penalty kill? Dover explained why he wants the Broncos to make moves while every other team in the NFL made moves. What kind of payday did Daniel Jones get from the Colts? 

Dylan is here to talk about the WILD Thunder vs Nuggets game! No Chet/Dub/IHart/Caruso, Jamal Murray returns, SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER IS NOT REAL, JWill stepping up HUGE and his growth as a player, WELCOME BACK AJAY MITCHELL, Isaiah Joe and Jared McCain light it up, looking ahead to Boston, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn goes over an important week for the Denver Nuggets against four of the top five teams in the Western Conference. He discusses tonight's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the injury status of Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson, and how the rest of the week will shape Denver's final stretch run. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil continue to react to NFL free agency and the lack of moves the Broncos have made to this point. We examine all the Broncos moves to bring back players from their team last year including Sam Ehlinger, JK Dobbins and more. Zach shares the details on Paxton Lynch playing indoor football for the Colorado Spartans. We react to the moves made within the AFC west with the Raiders spending big on their new center Tyler Linderbaum, adding linebackers, and more. Will the Raiders be a bigger challenge in 2026 than many assumed? Zach asks if the Nuggets are not meant to be after Jamal Murray went down with an injury in the same game Aaron Gordon finally returned from missing extended time. We hear from David Adelman and his thoughts on getting blown out by the Knicks on Friday. What did the guys make of the Avs' power play while going 0-5 in Sunday's game vs the Wild? 

Hour 1 of The Drive kicks off with Zach and Phil cross talking with Dover and Cecil. The guys react to lack of moves made by the Broncos today as NFL free agency kicked off. Are the Broncos in a good enough position to "run it back" with a similar roster as last season? Zach and Phil react to the Broncos not making a move at running back in free agency yet. Is now the time to sign a running back to a bigger deal while Bo Nix is on a rookie contract? What did the guys make of the Avs' power play while going 0-5 in Sunday's game vs the Wild? Is it fair to appreciate the opportunities the Avs created on the power play or do they need to finish those opportunities with goals? Zach asks if the Nuggets are not meant to be after Jamal Murray went down with an injury in the same game Aaron Gordon finally returned from missing extended time. Will the Nuggets have enough of a runway to create the chemistry needed to go on to win a championship? 

In the 2nd hour, Dover and Cecil talked about the latest free agent agreements in the NFL. What's the latest news with Jamal Murray's ankle injury and should he return quickly? The fellas recapped the Avs' big win over Dallas this weekend. Why is Calvin Booth going to Penn St.? 

0:00 - Ain't no rest for the wicked. The Nuggets have to lick their wounds then head to OKC tonight. They might not have Jamal Murray (as we await the updated injury report). It's gonna be an uphill battle. Against all odds. Other cliches. What are the keys to a Nuggets victory tonight?14:24 - Moser said he enjoyed seeing all the #91 jerseys at Ball Arena yesterday for Nazem Kadri's return. No one threw away or burned their Kadri jerseys. Which begs the question...when DO you chuck a jersey after someone leaves? Did Avs fans burn Mikko jerseys? Did Nuggets fans trash their Melo jerseys? What's the protocol?34:32 - The Nuggets have lost the benefit of the doubt. We no longer believe this team can win a championship, at least not the way they're playing right now. How can they change our minds. Tonight, go look like you belong against OKC. Play with confidence. Make a statement. Don't bet blown out of the gym. 

The Broncos were active yesterday, re-signing linebacker Justin Strnad and extending tight end Adam Trautman. Eric and Troy react to these players returning to the team. The NFL Free Agency window is open. What moves will the Broncos make? The Avalanche had a big weekend, getting shootout wins over their division rivals, the Stars and Wild, and also traded for Nazem Kadri at the eleventh hour. Is it Stanley Cup or bust for the Avs? Nuggets take on the Thunder in OKC tonight in the first game between the two teams since Lu Dort's cheap shot on Nikola Jokic. Do the Nuggets have a chance to win this game, if Jamal Murray doesn't play? Tune in to a Monday episode of Hot Takes with Eric Goodman and Troy Renck! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest episode of Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn and Danny Bailey go LIVE at Number Thirty-Eight, reacting to an ugly Denver Nuggets loss to the New York Knicks last night. Aaron Gordon made his return, but Jamal Murray immediately suffered an injury that may hold him out for weeks. Is it simply not Denver's year amid horrible injury luck and a Western Conference that just might be better than them? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nuggets lose big on the score sheet 142-103 to the Knicks and lose Jamal Murray for the second half of the game with an ankle injury. The Nuggets will return to action on Monday against the Thunder in OKC.

Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley without Mark Schlereth open the fourth hour undermanned on the air and behind the glass as they look forward to trivia. They get excited about Jamal Murray building a chip on the Nuggets’ shoulder. The Morning Crew take on The Drive’s toughest trivia for The Fan’s weekly Trivia Challenge, how will an undermanned Morning Crew do against The Drive? Mike and Stoke cap off today’s show making the case to cut Ben Powers ahead of free agency and making bold predictions for tonight’s game against the Knicks.  

Munaf Manji talks betting for Friday. Munaf Manji wrapped the week on Catch That Ticket with a solo Friday episode focused on recapping Thursday's results and breaking down a short NBA card for March 6, 2026. The show finished 1 and 1 on official plays from the previous night. Uncle Dave's Arkansas State ticket fell short in an outright loss to Georgia Southern, while Manji cashed with Pistons Spurs under 228.5, surviving a tense finish that included several missed free throws in the closing minutes. Manji called it a fortunate result after a rough Wednesday card and said he hoped to build on that momentum heading into the weekend. The first game on his radar was Dallas at Boston, with the Celtics installed as a heavy favorite. He highlighted Cooper Flagg's return for Dallas after a nine game absence, noting the rookie logged 26 minutes and scored 18 points in Thursday's one point loss to Orlando. On the Boston side, Manji focused on the expected return of Jayson Tatum, who was listed as questionable but widely anticipated to play. He said the Celtics had managed a strong season without Tatum and argued that even a limited return over the final stretch could be a major boost, though he also cautioned that reintegrating Tatum might briefly disrupt Boston's offensive rhythm. Rather than laying the full game number, Manji said Dallas could be the better first half look, with Boston more appealing in the second half if fatigue set in for the Mavericks on the back to back. Manji's second featured matchup was New York at Denver. He backed the Knicks, citing their recent improvement after the All Star break and especially their rise on the defensive end. He acknowledged being wrong about New York earlier in the season and said the healthier lineup had changed the team's profile. He also pointed to Denver's uneven home form against the spread and the possibility of tired legs after the Nuggets leaned heavily on Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun in Thursday's win over the Lakers. While waiting on the injury report, Manji said New York had the profile to win the game outright. He also touched on the rest of the board, including Portland at Houston, New Orleans at Phoenix, the Clippers at San Antonio, and Indiana at the Lakers. On Pacers Lakers, he leaned toward Indiana plus 9.5, citing the back to back spot for Los Angeles, the possibility of rest or reduced workloads, and his general distrust of the Lakers in that setup. Late in the episode, Manji addressed growing excitement around Charlotte futures in the Eastern Conference. He praised the Hornets for surpassing expectations, credited head coach Charles Lee and the organization's recent drafting, and said the franchise finally appeared to be building a real foundation. Still, he warned that talk of Charlotte winning the East was premature, especially given the lack of deep playoff experience on the roster. He said he planned to revisit that topic with Uncle Dave on Monday. Manji also promoted a Pregame offer that gives 50 bulk dollars for a 10 dollar purchase, describing it as a rare chance for listeners to sample daily, weekend or longer subscriptions at a significant discount. His best bet for Friday was Jayson Tatum over 6.5 combined rebounds and assists. Manji said he expected Tatum to play around 20 to 22 minutes and believed the Celtics star would ease back in by facilitating and rebounding rather than forcing offense. With Dallas allowing assists at a high rate, he projected a path for Tatum to clear the number even in a limited return. He closed by saying the weekend sports calendar was packed and that he and Uncle Dave would return Monday to break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:00 - OKC and their haughty head coach might be #1 on the Nuggets hate list. If that's the case, the LA Lakers are 1.5. Still hate em. Always have, always will. Beating them still feels like pure heroin. Jamal Murray must feel the same way, because he becomes prime Wilt Chamberlain anytime he plays the Lakers. 16:26 - Right after we wrapped up the show yesterday, the Avalanche traded for Nicolas Roy. How do we feel about the trade? Is he a good fit? Was the price right?33:42 - Right now, the Dallas Stars are the monkey on Colorado's back. They've owned you as of late. It is what it is. You've GOTTA beat them tonight. For so many reasons. Tonight isn't literally a must win, but it's a must win. Period.Also, Moser weighs in on SGA's weird fluffy jacket that he wore in his postgame presser, and immediately went viral for being insane.

Jamal Murray remained hot and Nikola Jokic trusted his guys again as he pulled in another triple double. The Nuggets held Luka Doncic to 0 points in the 4th after allowing 27 through three quarters. The Nuggets are starting to win clutch games and tonight was one of their best clutch wins of the season. Koz was on the call to bring you through it all from Ball Arena! 

00:00 Avs trade for Nic Roy, David Adelman comments on Nikola Jokic.20:45 Irrelevant sports franchises.38:50 Jamal Murray, CSU hoops, DJ Moore traded to Bills.

LA Lakers Denver Nuggets NBA Pick Prediction by Tony T. Lakers vs. Nuggets Injuries Kleber is questionable for LA. Gordon, Jones and Watson are out for Denver with Johnson questionable. Recent Box Score Key Stats Lakers at Nuggets 10PM ET—LA is 37-24 with their 110-101 home victory against New Orleans. Lakers shot 47% with 30% from three but 21 turnovers. Luke led with 27 points with ten rebounds. LeBron James supported with 21 points with seven assists. LA allowed 42% shooting with 28% from three. Denver improved to 38-24 following their 128-125 road victory against Utah. Nuggets shot 54% with 41% from three. Jamal Murray led with 45 points with eight assists. Nikola Jokic contributed 22 points and 12 rebounds. Denver allowed 51% shooting with 38% from three.

On the latest Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn reacts to the Denver Nuggets win last night against the the Utah Jazz, discussing a sterling performance by Jamal Murray and a roster that struggled with similar issues to last season. He also discusses Nikola Jokic, his ongoing battle with physicality and illegal defense, and what the next step is for the Nuggets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley with Mark Schlereth open the fourth hour making funeral plans for themselves before they praise Jamal Murray for carrying the Nuggets to victory over the Jazz. The guys give the 9am listeners a chance to hear what our 9News Broncos Insider had to say about the RB position for the Broncos, who are they bringing back and who are they looking at bringing into the fold? Stink gives Stoke some compliments about his Combine photo before they dig up Stoke’s darkest fear about next year’s offense. The Morning Crew cap off today’s show with the top audio of the morning.  

Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley with Mark Schlereth open the second hour taking Mike to task about taking yesterday off to go skiing. They quicky recap a huge game from a fit Jamal Murray. There were reports that the Broncos were interested in David Montgomery, but our 9New Broncos Insider Mike Klis says otherwise, do you believe that the Broncos were seriously pursuing the former Lions' RB? The guys discuss how Cam Johnson looks for the Nuggets right now and whether he should go to the bench when Peyton Watson comes back. The guys get into a heated debate about how to fix the Avs’ poor power play. Is it time for the Avalanche to demote their top guys? 

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil continue their conversation on the Rockies and debate what would be a successful season for the team. We pivot to the Broncos and react to Russell Wilson addressing his tweet in which he fired back at Sean Payton after Payton took a shot at Wilson. What did the guys make of Russ defending himself? Will the Broncos re-vamp the offensive line? Could Alex Palczewski step into Ben Powers' role is Powers is cut or traded? We react to the Nuggets winning a tight one against a bad team in the Jazz. Is it fair to be concerned with the Nuggets defensive effort after barley winning a game in which Jamal Murray shot at a superhuman rate and the team shot at a 50/40/90 rate? Zach shares the impressive stats Nathan MacKinnon is putting up this season and how he is likely on his way to another MVP trophy. Will Nate become the first Avs player ever and join Jokic as the only Denver athlete to win multiple MVP's? We react to Mike Evans' comments on Gabe Landeskog underachieving and debate if Mike is fair to criticize Landy. 

In the 3rd hour, Dover and Cecil reacted to the Nuggets barely beating the Jazz last night with a 45-point night from Jamal Murray. Are teams making Nikola Jokic frustrated by going at him while he's on defense? The fellas talked about how Nathan MacKinnon is finally looking like himself for the first-time since the Olympics break. On Bo's Board, the fellas discussed if the Broncos should trade for an AFC WR. 

Only four NBA games today, but GIANNIS ANTEOKOUNMPO RETURNED! That was nice! Plus… more Jokic being WEIRD and we got an AWESOME clash between Jamal Murray and Keyonte George. That rocked. So we talk that out and cover ALL the games in NBA Straya's BEST & WORST NBA STUFF OF THE DAY! So! Who was good? Who was a spud!? It's today's NBA Straya Awards for BEST NBA HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY! FOR ALL OF TODAY'S NBA GAMES!Houston @ Washington Boston @ MilwaukeeDenver @ utah LA Clippers @ Golden State We've got That's Not A Knife for the NBA Straya Approved Performance of the DaySpud of the Night Old Mate No MatesPantsings of the NightBetter Than Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons & Bronny James Anyway. It's all there in NBA Straya's DAILY NBA AWARDS SHOW!  We also pick and preview ALL the NBA games for tomorrow Wednesday Mar 4!DALLAS @ CHARLOTTEDETROIT @ CLEVELANDWASHINGTON @ ORLANDOBROOKLYN @ MIAMINY KNICKS @ TORONTO SAN ANTONIO @ PHILLYOKC @ CHICAGO MEMPHIS @ MINNYNEW ORLEANS@ LA LAKERSPHOENIX @ SACRAMENTOPlenty to cover & talk about, strap in, lean back & enjoy! … and remember to rate, review & subscribe! Cheers legends, and thanks for tuning in to the best NBA podcast in the world!!Onyas...  Love ya guts ledges!!

The Nuggets finally got a win in the clutch last night, beating the Utah Jazz 128-125. Jamal Murray went off for 45 points, including 8 made 3-pointers. Is it hard to give the Nuggets credit for the win, considering they were playing one of the worst teams in the league? The Avalanche won in LA last night, downing the Kings 4-2. Also, could the Avs be looking to make a move, such as finding a solid 3rd line center? Would Naz Kadri or Ryan O'Reilly be realistic trade targets? David Montgomery was traded to the Texans yesterday for a 4th round pick, a 7th round pick and a little used offensive lineman. Should the Broncos have offered this or a little more? Finally, Troy is in Scottsdale for Rockies Spring Training. What's the temperature in the room from the players on how they feel about this season? Eric Goodman and Troy Renck deliver another episode of Hot Takes! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jamal Murray was in full Blue Arrow mode as he had 45 POINTS! The Nuggets found themselves in another close game on the road but tonight they found a way to pull it out. The secret to tonight's win? Starting Jonas Valanciunas with Nikola Jokic. The twin tower lineup gave the Nuggets a boost to open the game and after halftime. Koz was on the call tonight! 

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In the final hour, Dover and Cecil heard from Jamal Murray on the Nuggets' struggles so far this season. Cecil wonders if this team has gotten softer. Could Valeri Nichushkin be a tradable asset for the Avs? The guys reacted to the Broncos meeting with one of Cecil's favorite prospects, Jonah Coleman. 

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were in full two man game mode when it mattered most but the Nuggets clutch time struggles continue. The Denver Nuggets had multiple double digit leads but once again they were reeled back in. OKC comes storming back in the 4th Quarter and David Adelman blew two timeouts early in the 4th. A brewhaha between Lu Dort and Nikola Jokic got both teams going. It fueled the battle towards overtime but OKC got the last laugh without SGA and Dort in OT. Koz was on the call from Oklahoma City. 

Munaf Manji and Dave Essler talk betting for Friday. Munaf Manji and Dave Essler closed out the February schedule on the Cash That Ticket podcast with another winning recap, noting a 2-0 night on Thursday and a combined 19-5 run in best bets for the month, including a perfect 7-0 week to that point. They revisited Manji's Pelicans team total over 123.5 and Essler's Derrick Jones Jr. points prop over 10.5, highlighting lineup news that helped the play and Jones Jr. leading the Clippers with 18 points. The Friday NBA discussion opened with Cleveland at Detroit, a short slate night, where both hosts leaned toward taking the points with the Cavaliers despite Donovan Mitchell being ruled out. Essler cited market movement toward Cleveland and suggested expectations that James Harden and Dennis Schroeder would play, while noting Cleveland's interior defense could blunt Detroit's paint scoring and force more jump shooting. Manji agreed, emphasizing Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as rim protection anchors, calling the number a stretch for Detroit, and adding an under lean at 227.5 alongside Cleveland plus the points. The second featured matchup was Denver at Oklahoma City, with the Thunder favored by 8.5 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returning after missing time. Essler acknowledged the “OKC tax” but sided with Denver's value as a road underdog, referencing recent outright wins and competitive results in similar spots, and leaned under, arguing Oklahoma City's defense should hold even if offensive timing was imperfect. Manji also took the points, describing division familiarity and motivation, and pointed to Nikola Jokic rebound and assist related props as potential angles, especially if Jamal Murray were unavailable. The episode then shifted to MLB win totals, starting with Cleveland's 79.5. Essler praised the Guardians' manager and prior overachievement on a low payroll, but argued the roster could regress, questioning the rotation depth behind Gavin Williams and the lineup's run production, and leaning under as other AL Central teams improved. Manji echoed concerns, saying Cleveland's offense has often lagged, that last season's division outcome owed partly to Detroit's stumble, and that the win total could be tight but tilted under. They followed with Arizona's 79.5, where Essler leaned under again, citing pitching uncertainty without Corbin Burns until midseason, concerns about bullpen reliability, and skepticism that additions like Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana would be enough, especially with age and recent production trends. Manji countered with an over, arguing a change of scenery could help Arenado, that the lineup had recognizable depth, and that Arizona could stay competitive long enough to benefit from Burns returning and possible in-season pitching upgrades. The show delivered a promo code for pregame.com, FastBreak20, for 20 percent off through March 8, and discussed the value of longer-term packages over daily buying given natural variance. For best bets, Essler went with Cameron Johnson over 18.5 PRA in the Denver-OKC game, citing elevated minutes and potential opportunity depending on Murray's status, while Manji backed Boston Celtics first half minus 10.5 versus Brooklyn, citing Boston's bounce-back profile after losses and Brooklyn's back-to-back road situation. They wrapped by reiterating disciplined bankroll management and their focus on providing serious, vetted information even in a free format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil discuss the new dynamics with the Broncos as Davis Webb takes over play calling this season. Will be on the Broncos sideline or up in the booth? How long of a leash with Webb have if the offense gets off to slow start? We react to the Nuggets' big win last night over the red-hot Celtics. How were the Nuggets able to play the level of defense they showed last night without their two best defenders? The guys applaud Jokic for stepping up after Jamal Murray went out of the game with an illness as well as not barking at the officials all night. We preview what the Broncos could do in the first round of the NFL draft as the NFL combine is this week. Could the Broncos select an inside linebacker in the first round? We react to the Broncos NFLPA report card in which players grade the team's coach, general manager, facilities and more. 

In the 3rd hour, Dover and Cecil reacted to the Nuggets beating up on the Celtics last night. How good did the team play without Jamal Murray? Mike Klis joined the show to give some insight on what he's learned out at the NFL Combine. On Bo's Board, the fellas name a rookie TE that could come in and help the Broncos offense sooner than later. 

0:00 - The Nuggets beat a top opponent from the East...without Jamal Murray...and they actually played defense...and built a lead late and held onto it...and won a home game...HUH? What is this sorcery?16:13 - No Nathan MacKinnon, no problem. The Avalanche played their first game in a century last night, and beat the Mammoth 4-2 in Utah. How about that wild goal from Parker Kelly to get the scoring started?34:43 - CU lost another coordinator yesterday...Prime's staff continues to play musical chairs. Robert Livingston left CU, went to the Broncos, and took a "worse" job. He's lower on the totem pole now relative to (heh) his old job. What's going on in Boulder, man?

The Denver Nuggets have been hearing the chatter all week after a tough loss vs Golden St. on Sunday. The Nuggets started rough but never wavered as they make quick work of the Celtics by the start of the 4th quarter! Nikola Jokic scored 30 points in 33 minutes despite Jamal Murray leaving with an illness. The Nuggets next game will be in Oklahoma City on Friday and as always, Koz was and will be on the call! 

The Nuggets dropped their opening game following the All-Star Break to the Clippers, as they failed to execute down the stretch, losing 115-114. The Nuggets now have the 4th seed in the West and are 3 games ahead of the Suns for the 7th seed. Why are these close losses are happening so much and is there a way to turn it around? Did Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray look somewhat gassed out there in the 4th quarter? Plus, with the Winter Olympics wrapping up this weekend, what are the most difficult sports to play? And which of the 4 major sports are the most difficult to play? Tune in to a Friday edition of Hot Takes with Eric Goodman and Troy Renck! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NBA All-Star Weekend was this close to being declared dead—until Victor Wembanyama flipped the entire vibe, shamed everybody into competing, and turned a “jumped-the-shark” event into must-watch hoops. On this episode of On The Ball, Ric Bucher breaks down why the All-Star turnaround matters, what it revealed about the league's real hierarchy, and why Adam Silver's public tough talk (including the nuclear “eliminate the draft” idea) lands as hollow compared to the era of David Stern.Ric also dives into the league's messy optics: tanking, gambling partnerships, half-empty arenas, influencer-first priorities, and the growing sense that the NBA's “brand showcase” is replacing the game itself—right up until Wemby decided otherwise.Then Ric shifts to the off-court theater: Stephen A. Smith flirting with a presidential run (and why sports platforms + politics are a dangerous credibility cocktail), plus Ric's take on LeBron James' retirement fog—including a wild, hypothetical endgame that involves NBA expansion, Las Vegas, and a final-season father-son spectacle with Bronny James.Time Stamps / Chapters00:00 — Intro: “Cooking with gas” + where to find Ric Bucher 00:41 — Ric's new book: The Value of Being Coachable (pre-order info) 01:20 — United We Cast Network shows: Full Court Passport, Finding the Seams, Pacific Rims 02:03 — Was All-Star Weekend cooked? The “dead event” narrative 02:18 — Tanking panic: Adam Silver hints at eliminating the draft 02:46 — David Stern vs. Adam Silver: who actually had the hammer? 05:14 — Stern's punishments: Sprewell / Joe Smith / Malice at the Palace 06:21 — Silver's biggest power move: Donald Sterling (and why it was “easier” than it looks) 07:06 — The mood was bad: NBA Europe confusion + teams openly gaming losses 07:52 — Half-empty stands, weak dunk contest, and low expectations 08:18 — Wembanyama ignites the weekend: “no prisoners” intensity 08:45 — Team Stars vs. Team World goes OT; Anthony Edwards crediting Wemby 09:02 — Team Stripes (LeBron/KD/Kawhi) adds drama; De'Aaron Fox buzzer-beater 09:37 — MVP debate: Ant wins, but did Wemby actually deserve it? 10:05 — Ric's airport confession: this All-Star > Super Bowl for entertainment 10:39 — All-Star as brand showcase vs. real basketball storytelling 12:41 — A “page-turn” moment: new generation vs. old guard 14:47 — Why Wemby losing might be the best future fuel (playoffs + next All-Star) 15:10 — Calling out Luka Dončić + Nikola Jokić for minimal effort 16:23 — Jokić mocking Wemby's pregame book… and what that says about the league 17:28 — The “pickup game” truth: hierarchy and roles exposed 18:06 — Reads on stars: Edwards, Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns 20:02 — Stephen A. Smith for president? Ric's benchmark for leadership credibility 23:10 — LeBron retirement uncertainty + “at the right price” reality 24:31 — The big hypothetical: NBA expansion fast-tracked (Vegas + Seattle) 26:17 — The spectacle plan: LeBron + Bronny as an expansion-team launchpad 28:06 — Sponsor: New Air Club + outro#NBA #NBAllStar #VictorWembanyama #Wembanyama #AnthonyEdwards #AdamSilver #DavidStern #NBADraft #Tanking #LeBronJames #BronnyJames #KawhiLeonard #KevinDurant #StephenASmith #OnTheBall #RicBucher #UnitedWeCast #NBAExpansion #LasVegas #SeattleSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/bucher-and-friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn breaks down the Denver Nuggets Post All-Star Break schedule and what it means for the team. How will the team figure out their defensive issues heading into the home stretch? What will Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and David Adelman do to set the tone? Ryan discusses the schedule and makes three predictions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cecil and Aniello kicked off the show reacting to the NBA All-Star game. Should we be mad that Nikola Jokic doesn't seem to care about the all-star game? What kind of performance did Jamal Murray have over the weekend for all-star game? On Bo's Board, the fellas discussed if RB Travis Etienne would be a great fit for the Broncos on offense? 

In the final hour, Cecil and Aniello took a look at some WRs that the Broncos could target in free agency. Are the guys in on trading for A.J. Brown? The fellas heard from Kris Bryant as he gave an update on his latest injury. The guys talked about how Jamal Murray has changed his mindset this season and it's helped him make the all-star game. 

Welcome back to The Bubba Dub Show!

On the latest Pickaxe and Roll, Ryan Blackburn breaks down what happened over NBA All-Star weekend and how Team USA vs Team World raised some questions about Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets. He also discusses the Social Contract for the All-Star event and what obligations players actually have to the competition. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Evans and Mark Schlereth open the fourth hour continuing their conversation about Garrett Bolles’ chances to make the Ring of Fame. Mike and Stink debate a reunion with Bradley Chubb. They answer the 9am listeners’ texts and messages about swing tackles, the case against Kyle Pitts, and in defense of Jamal Murray. They pinpoint the exact reason why the NBA’s most recent All-Star Game was so much better than past offerings of recent years. Mike and Stink wrap up today’s show worrying about Stoke’s morale after today’s antics and looking around the league to see who’s on the market.  

John Davis and Chad Andrus are in for today's President's Day edition of The Drive. In hour 2 of The Drive, John and Chad react to Jim Leonard leaving the Broncos coaching staff to become the defensive coordinator for the Bills. How big of a loss will Leonard be to this elite defense? Would the Broncos be better off with Leonard at DC instead of Vance Joseph? Today's "Three Count" features our thoughts on the Winter Olympics and the wide-ranging sports we see during this time of the year and Chris Paul calling it a career after 21 seasons. Was Paul underappreciated during his time in the NBA? What did we make of Jamal Murray's first All-Star game appearance? Were we surprised from Jokic's fun interaction with Boogie Cousins of All-Star break?

Welcome to the first Real Ones Take-athon! Logan, Howard, and The Ringer's own Tyler Parker and Jomi Adeniran get together for a two-part episode to take a hard look at the player landscape of the NBA and fire off their wildest takes on the biggest and sometimes most polarizing stars in the league. (00:00) Opening (02:02) Take-athon rules (02:49) Anthony Edwards (07:14) Giannis Antetokounmpo (17:51) Jalen Johnson (19:23) Jaylen Brown (22:55) Luka Doncic (26:36) Karl-Anthony Towns (29:53) Tyrese Maxey (31:51) Pascal Siakam (33:01) Brandon Ingram (33:36) Scottie Barnes (34:48) Jamal Murray (36:47) Norm Powell (38:21) Cade Cunningham (40:26) Kevin Durant The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠ ⁠⁠www.rg-help.com⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck Guests: Tyler Parker and Jomi Adeniran Producers: Logan Murdock, Conor Nevins, Victoria Valencia, John Richter, and Ben Cruz Video Producers: Victoria Valencia, John Richter, Sarah Reddy, and Donald LoBianco Audio Producer: Chris Sutton Graphics and Show Art: John Richter Production Supervision: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins Additional Production Support: John Richter, T. Cruz, Nick Kosut, and Hannah Leikin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Evans and Brandon Stokley kick off today’s show chatting about their Valentine’s Day plans like Mike going ice fishing before Stoke tells us about his food court adventures yesterday. The guys look at how the Avs’ stars are doing in Milan Cortina and answer the listeners’ messages on the text line for “Is It Just Me Friday”. They discuss the long road ahead for the Rockies rebuild. Mike and Stoke wrap up the first hour debating how Jamal Murray’s first All Star Game will affect him as a player, will he get addicted to All Star Weekend?

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil continue their conversation on the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray participating in the all-star game this weekend. Will Murray and Jokic get the proper rest they need over this break? We hear from Kevin Durant and him questioning if the Euro players will play hard in the all-star game. We pivot to the Broncos and question why the Broncos have not named Burnham Yards as the official site of their new stadium yet. We react to NFL.com's ranking of quarterbacks and where Bo Nix landed on the list. Should Broncos Country be upset with Nix's low ranking? What tier should Nix be ranked in after having such a successful season? How can Bo Nix be more consistent in 2026? We wrap up the show previewing Zach and Phil's Valentine's Day weekend as well as the NBA's all-star game festivities this weekend. How will Jamal Murray fare in the three-point contest and his first all-star game? 

A wild double overtime night at Madison Square Garden had everything. Late whistles. Missed shots. Big nerves. And a Knicks team that refused to fold. Evan and Tiki break down the double overtime win over the Denver Nuggets and why this one felt different from past seasons. The conversation starts with the controversial loose ball foul that nearly flipped the night and why the Knicks overcame a moment that usually ends in disaster. From there, the focus shifts to the trade deadline chatter and why a game like this makes you wonder if the Knicks even need Giannis Antetokounmpo to compete with the league's best. At the center of it all is Mitchell Robinson. His ability to guard Nikola Jokic in the paint and switch out onto Jamal Murray on the perimeter is dissected in detail, along with why his defensive impact might be the real difference between a good team and a Finals team. Jalen Brunson gets his due for late game poise, Karl-Anthony Towns' bloody toughness moment is discussed, and the roller coaster night from Mikal Bridges is put into full context. Plus, legendary calls from Walt Clyde Frazier add another layer to an already unforgettable night. A reminder to stay calm during an 82 game season, but also a clear message. This Knicks team can beat anyone when it defends like this.

Evan and Tiki try to “breathe” after an insane double-overtime Knicks win at MSG that almost turned into an all-day referee meltdown. They break down Mikal Bridges' brutal night (and the massive corner three), why Knicks fans are suddenly saying “we don't need Giannis,” and the real takeaway: Mitchell Robinson looking like a one-man defensive cheat code against Jokic and Jamal Murray. Plus, trade deadline talk with the latest buzz, the Knicks' minor money move, what the buyout market could look like, and calls on Brunson's clutch DNA and a wild Draymond-to-NY idea. Then the hour takes a hard turn to hockey as the Rangers ship Artemi “Breadman” Panarin to the Kings, sending Sean into full Fan Focus fury about Drury, the direction of the franchise, and why this “retool” feels like a wrecking ball. Also: an unexpected debate on the worst U.S. president of all time.

This week, Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets joins ‘The Old Man and the Three' hosted by Cam Johnson of the Denver Nuggets — that's right…it's a podcast featuring the very two players that were traded for each other.They obviously discuss what went down with the trade, the differences in playing for the Nuggets and the Nets, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and their overall adjustments on both teams.MPJ also gets very candid about his back and shoulder injuries, why he was disappointed in his draft process, and his early career with the Nuggets. They also have an awesome conversation about the differences in their shots, the NBA trade market, and so much more. Let's go!00:00 Intro0:35 MPJ joins1:20 Cam and MPJ's Nuggets-Nets trade9:00 MPJ's mindset coming to Brooklyn15:50 MPJ's adjustment to NYC20:00 MPJ on his shot making, playing for Jordi24:40 Keeping morale up on the Nets27:20 MPJ leaking Adam Silver's phone number28:55 MPJ's draft experience & dealing with his back injuries36:30 Early career in Denver & playing in the bubble42:00 Jamal Murray and Jokic praise48:30 MPJ on the Nuggets Finals run51:50 This year's depth on the Nuggets56:00 The best tough shot makers in the NBA58:30 The NBA trade market & keeping level1:03:08 Has MPJ ever lost his confidence?1:05:00 Cam and MPJ have a in-depth shooting convo1:10:16 Closing thoughtsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.