Here’s what went down Monday on G&A

* Arizona Republic Suns’ beat writer Paul Coro in for the vacationing Gambo.

* Gambo is in New York and having issues. His rental car had Boston plates-which presents a slight problem since the sole reason he rented the car was to drive it to the Yankee game Friday, against the hated Red Sox.

* Meltdown in Miami! The Diamondbacks wrap up their 9-game road trip with just two wins following yesterday’s late-inning meltdown in Miami. They are dead-even .500 after starting the season 20-8. Ash & Coro wondered how far back the D-Backs would be in the playoff race if they didn’t play in the pathetic NL West. Both agree this team has issues with several players-including Eric Byrnes who is hitting a paltry .205. How will the crowd respond to Byrnes tonight in his first home back since his long stint on the DL? Ash is amazed that the D-Backs’ clean-up hitter (Conor Jackson) is leading the club in stolen bases with six. The guys debated how much of the club’s struggles fall on the coaches, not the players.

* Shopping List. NBA free-agency starts tonight. Ash & Coro discussed who the financially-strapped Suns might look to sign. Coro thinks swingman Jarvis Hayes is on the club’s radar. Ash would be in favor of that move. The guys broke down the current roster. Paul thinks rookie Goran Dragic might be able to get out of his overseas contract. Paul and Ash like the idea of the Suns’ looking into acquiring defensive stopper Quinton Ross-the same player they pursued before last year’s deadline.

Suns’ General Manager Steve Kerr checked in to discuss free-agency which is just about to start. Kerr is happy with how the current roster looks moving forward, but knows the club needs to add a veteran point guard that can give Steve Nash more rest during the regular season. He also feels Alando Tucker could crack the rotation this coming season.

Kobe Talk. Kobe Bryant says winning an Olympic gold medal is more important than winning an NBA Championship. Ash & Coro discussed how the new-look Team USA might fare this summer. Coro thinks the only reason Kobe said that is because he knows he may not win another NBA title with all the parity around the league. Ash thinks anything less than the gold should be viewed as a failure.

Tomorrow we’ll be joined by ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian.

Darren Urban from azcardinals.com fills in for Gambo.

 

 Steve Kerr, Suns GM [10:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (318)