Here’s what went down Monday on G&A:

* You can’t get something without giving up something. In the wake of the Shaq deal, the Suns may have alleviated their rebounding and low post defense to a certain extent, but G&A agree that the perimeter defense of Shawn Marion is sorely missed. Gambo thinks Marion would’ve been of use against the 76ers and Andre Iguodala on Saturday. Iguodala is just the latest in a long-line of shooters to light up the Suns. Gambo thinks this team needs to string five good wins together, and G&A both agree Coach D’Antoni needs to use more than seven in his rotation. D.J Strawberry and (especially) Brian Skinner seem to be M.I.A. as of late.

* Lute Olson isn’t M.I.A., he showed up at the McKale Center yesterday just in time to watch UA put their 23-year streak of NCAA tournament bids in further jeopardy. On the flip side, ASU picks up a big win over USC on Saturday, and may be on their way to the Big Dance as a result.
ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi joined the guys to discuss ASU’s tournament resume. Lunardi thinks it should be good enough, barring a loss to Oregon State, whom he feels should not beat any team that lays claim to a tournament bid. Lunardi also expects a Pac 10 team with a .500 conference record to get an at-large berth, although it’s never happened before.

* Here’s something else that had not happened before in 08′: The Cardinals signed a free agent! Sure Jeremy Tuman may not be a big name, but neither is Tommie Kelly, Gibril Wilson, or Calvin Pace, and yet they are still getting millions on the open market this year. G&A find it hard to believe that anyone would pay Pace $22 million (guaranteed). Gambo did, however, like the Jets signing of Alan Faneca, whose agent said the Cardinals would’ve been right in the mix had they not been dealing with Larry Fitzgerald’s contract, instead.

Tomorrow: Suns GM Steve Kerr.

 

 ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi [7:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (514)