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

Seeing Greatness?…The on-again, off-again Lakers are a step away from returning to the NBA Finals following Wednesday night’s win over the Nuggets.  Los Angeles swings anywhere from Championship-caliber dominant to frustratingly inconsistent - depending on the opponent and significance of the game.  What can we take away from this years’ group?  Do you need two superstars to be a GREAT team?  The guys debated and we took calls.

$50,000 to Win a Game…George Karl and the Nuggets are not happy with the officiating following Wednesday night’s loss to the Lakers.  Following Game 4, Phil Jackson went off on the refs and was fined $50,000 by the league.  Several Nugget players were upset at the refs and openly wondered how much Jackson’s comments had to do with how the game was officiated.  Gambo doesn’t feel the NBA playoffs have any “flow” to them because of how the games are being called.  Ash wonders if adding another official would hurt or help the problem.  Gambo thinks another ref would simply add more calls to an already cluttered foul-fest like several of these post-season games have played out.  G&A agree: No sports officials are critiqued more than in the NBA.  Would instant replay help?  The guys debated.

We were joined by ASU junior right-hander MIKE LEAKE.  The two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year became the first player in conference history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.  Also an academic All-American with a 3.42 GPA in management, he is 14-1 this year with a 1.24 ERA.  He has 128 strikeouts, while walking only 18.  The Devils start regional play Friday night, hosting Kent State at Packard Stadium at 7:00.  Leake was little league teammates with San Diego State phenom Stephen Strasburg.  He said the consensus #1 pick was fat and “not very good at all.”

The Chosen One…On the heels of Wednesday’s news that suspended Manny Ramirez could be one of the starting outfielders for the National League, he could be joined by 21-year old Justin Upton of your Diamondbacks.  Upton’s hitting .335 and leads the Snakes in nearly every offensive category.  Gambo feels J-Up will represent the Dbacks in St. Louis; Ash believes it will be tough-luck starter Dan Haren - who’s shown consistency all season - even without much run support from his offense.  John thinks Upton will be one of the best players in baseball in the next couple years.

Thorny Rose…The Memphis basketball program is in hot water and the source of the problem could be Bulls’ Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose.  Reports say Rose may have cheated on his SAT.  First-year coach Josh Pastner was not coaching at Memphis when Rose was recruited, but new Kentucky coach John Calipari was.  Rose reportedly never took his SAT.  So what should the NCAA do now?  Rose is a millionaire NBA star and could probably care less what happens because he got exactly what he wanted from Memphis…exposure towards a lucrative NBA deal and career.  Would punishing Memphis make sense because Pastner and his staff had nothing to do with this?  G&A think the punishment might not be severe because of that very point.  Who should be blamed in all this if anyone?  Ash wonders how this would have played out if Memphis beat Kansas last year to win the NCAA Championship.

Arizona Cardinals’ wide receiver STEVE BREASTON checked in to discuss the second week of OTA’s, which concluded earlier Thursday in Tempe.  The former Michigan Wolverine star had a breakout season in 2008, finishing with 90 receptions for 1,154 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He shared his Super Bowl experiences and how he looks to improve this offseason leading into training camp later this summer.

Windy City Trade Winds…Now that Anquan Boldin has fired Drew Rosenhaus, rumors are swirling as to who will replace Drew and represent the disgruntled wide receiver.  One possibility is Eugene Parker (Larry Fitzgerald’s agent).  A rumor is swirling that Boldin could be traded for another Parker client, Bears’ return specialist/receiver Devin Hester and a pick.  Chicago needs playmakers for new quarterback Jay Cutler and the Cards could save money by trading Boldin and bringing back the dangerous Hester plus a draft pick.  G&A don’t think this trade would make any sense for the Red Birds because they are a better team right now with Anquan Boldin rather than Devin Hester.

Superman Returns…The original Superman (Shaq) decided to take in a game to see the new Superman (Dwight Howard) Monday night in Orlando.  “The Diesel” sat courtside as the Magic beat the Cavs to take a 3-1 series lead.  This is the same guy who left Orlando to go win multiple titles with other teams and then rip head coach Stan Van Gundy and Howard after a regular season game earlier this season.  The Magic fans didn’t seem to have a problem with the affable Shaq sitting front row (the Magic apparently gave him the primo seats), but Gambo & Ash did…even to the point where they wouldn’t sell Shaq a good ticket if he wanted one.  Should Shaq have known better?  What athlete who skipped out of town could never return to sit front-and-center?  Gambo suggested Simeon Rice.  Ash said Robert Horry.  We took calls.

Friday we’ll be joined by Cards Pro-Bowler Larry Fitzgerald at 2:10 and ESPN NBA insider Tim Legler at 4:10.

 

 Mike Leake [9:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)

 

 Steve Breaston: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (44)