Jon Bloom filled in for a “vacationing” Gambo.
Gambo did have to call in (pre-show), excited about the latest NBA trade news. The news, for those who may be unaware, is that Spurs are now that much better than the Suns, and maybe that much closer to the Lakers, after pulling off their own version of the Pau Gasol theft. Richard Jefferson now makes up the “Big Four” in SA, but Ash and Bloomer think that there is a strong possibility that Manu Ginobili is on his way out, in the wake of this big deal. As for the Suns, they seem unable to make any big deals this summer, and are sort of stuck in basketball purgatory, all while sporting the league’s highest payroll. Ash wouldn’t be adverse to the Suns dumping significant portions of that payroll (i.e. Nash, Amare, and Shaq). His motto (vide The Shawshank Redemption) is “get busy living or get busy dying.” Suns fans will undoubtedly have problems living with another year of LA/SA domination, but (vide The Godfather Part II) “this is the business (they) have chosen for themselves.”
Business has been good for the Dodgers, even after Manny Ramirez’s 50 game hiatus. Now, Manny is back…Well, sort of. ManRam is making a few rehab starts in Albuquerque, and ESPN is covering it every step of the way. But is a minor league rehab assignment really a suitable next step for a steroid abuser? Minor league players, after all, do get suspended for the same thing, but are not able to conduct rehab assignments in…Little League?? Ash and Bloom agree that the league is wrong to allow Ramirez to play while under suspension. After all, shouldn’t a 50 game suspension really be a 50 game suspension?
50 games might be the over/under for Phil Jackson on the Lakers bench next season. Jackson in considering a Roger Clemens style return to the Lakers, where he would coach home games, and have Kurt Rambis take over for road trips. Ash and Bloom are skeptical of this Joe Paterno type arrangement. But at least Joe Pa makes all the trips. He just doesn’t call the plays, or coach, or do anything really.
The Wizards received quite a few calls about their #5 overall pick, and eventually accepted Minnesota’s offer. So much for Ash’s preferred offer for Amare, which featured the #5 pick coming back to Phoenix in exchange for STAT. On Sat. Bloomer was sure that the Suns would make this kind of a deal before draft day. Not anymore. Ash also concurs that the Suns will have little movement before or after the draft.
The Diamondbacks manager AJ Hinch joined the show and discussed the recent road trip, the upcoming homestand and where the Diamondbacks roster sits.
Robert Sarver must understand that he has to spend his money wisely. Just because he is in the luxury tax doesn’t mean his giving the team the right tool to win. He made some decision in the past based on his financial decision which is why we are in this predicament. I think he will make a huge mistake one if he sign Nash for two more years, two if he trade Shaq to Cleveland for Ben Wallace and whoever else is in that package, and three if he thinks Amare is worth much. As far as am concern, the jury is out about Amare Stoudemire, he doesn’t like to play defense, he isn’t a good leader and I think people around the league know that well. Not to mention his one legged and one eye power forward whose more concern about scoring 20+ point rather than doing whatever it takes to help his team win.