Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A…

Keeping Pace - The Suns won their 6th-straight last night beating the pesky Jazz on the same night the Mavs blew out the hapless Warriors in Big D.  G&A tip their hat to Lou Amundson whose hustle and rebounding keyed another must-win.  Gambo reported the club will likely try to sign Sweet Lou to an extension, possibly three years, at the end of the season.  The guys are wondering if, in the long run, the Suns are better off without Amare Stoudemire?  This team is jelling without the All-Star forwards.  We opened up the phones-some said a STAT-less team is the best team moving forward.

We caught up with PTI host and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon.  Wilbon, who is covering tonight’s games in Glendale, broke down the Sweet 16 matchups and discussed the day that changed March Madness forever-30 years ago today when Magic Johnson led Michigan State past Larry Bird’s Indiana State 75-64 to win the National Championship in Salt Lake City.  He talked about how he cut his bracket out of the newspaper and filled it out when he was a kid.

Changing March Madness - March 26, 1979…20 million television viewers watched Michigan State beat Indiana State to win their first national championship.  Many feel that was, in essence, the start of March Madness as we know it today.  Ash thinks filling out the brackets is what really pulls hoops fans and even casual observers to the tournament.  He parallels brackets to fantasy football and the NFL.  Gambo concludes Magic-Bird college-style in Salt Lake City set the table for the future of The Big Dance.

Housekeeping!.. - Kobe Bryant’s housekeeper is suing him over harassment and being denied health care insurance.  Reports say Kobe’s wife made her stick her hand in dog poop to retrieve a price tag.  Nice to see they are staying busy around the Bryant household.  Ash wonders why a maid living in a mansion really needs health insurance and why Kobe is being such a cheap-ass about the whole thing.

Our world renowned sports handicapper Brandon Lang checked in to share his thoughts on the Sweet 16 and who might be the best teams to cover the number this weekend.  B-Lang thinks Gonzaga could bump the Tar Heels from the Sweet 16 tomorrow and possibly win it all in Detroit.  He also likes Villanova to dispatch Duke for more, go to brandonlang.com.

The guys previewed the Sweet 16 games and ripped their producer for picking Washington to beat UCONN today.  Too bad Jim Calhoun’s team is playing Purdue.  G&A are still confident they will claim this year’s Bracket Beat down against Doug & Wolf as long as Pitt doesn’t win it all.

We were joined by our ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler.  “Legs” shared his thoughts on the Suns late-season playoff push as they look to close the 3-game window behind Dallas tonight in Portland.  Plus, last night’s Celtics-Magic showdown in Orlando and the streaking Houston Rockets.

Who is Mike Taylor? - Some guy named Mike Taylor scored 35 points for the Clippers last night.  Does that name ring a bell?  I didn’t think so.  The former Iowa State point guard was actually drafted directly from the NBDL last summer.  Gambo had no idea who he was when he was scanning the box scores this morning.

The Price is Not Right - Star lefty David Price had an amazing spring with the defending American League champion Rays.  The 23-year old was lights out in spring training, but he will start the season in Durham.  The guys wonder what Rays’ management is thinking-especially when you consider the division they play in.  Both feel he’s ready for the spotlight as he proved when it counted most-in October.

Suns’ head coach Alvin Gentry checked in from Portland as his team looks to extend their win streak to seven and close the gap in the Western Conference playoff race against the Blazers.  He applauded the play of his bench and Steve Nash during the recent hot streak.

 

 Michael Wilbon [12:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (49)

 

 Brandon Lang [9:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (57)

 

 Tim Legler [10:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (53)

 

 Alvin Gentry [9:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (50)