Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A:

* Do-or-die tonight for the Suns in San Antonio. Gambo & Ash discussed the harsh reality of the season possibly ending and Mike D’Antoni’s tenure coming to an abrupt end in Phoenix. How will Steve Kerr and Robert Sarver pick up the pieces if the Spurs prevail in Game 5?

* TNT sideline reporter David Aldridge joined the guys from the Alamo City. Aldridge believes the Spurs will wrap up the series tonight.

* Valley fan-favorite David Stern is at it again. The Commissioner suspended not a single player following last night’s Celtics-Hawks tussle last night in Atlanta. Stern must have had a poor look at things. Oh wait, he was nearly sitting courtside. Ash is furious at Stern’s inconsistencies and thinks it’s time to for a fresh face to run the NBA. Gambo is perplexed by Stern’s decisions, but doesn’t believe in any NBA conspiracy theories.

* The Diamondbacks won again, ho-hum. Anyone notice this team is now 19-7? Chad Qualls continues to put out fires out of the bullpen. Gambo trusts Qualls more than ANY pitcher on the roster. G&A know any player in the Snakes’ line-up can hurt you at the plate. Gambo feels this team is on the brink of something special this season-like a World Series title.

* Giants’ rich-guy Barry Zito is in the bullpen. Gambo thinks he’s the biggest waste of money in baseball history. Ash says Russ Ortiz has to rank right up there. We took calls.

* ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian shared his thoughts on the D-Backs, the surprising Tampa Bay Rays, and the sudden decline of Zito.

Wednesday: Game 5 re-cap following the Diamondbacks’ matinée against Houston.

 

 David Aldridge [11:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (349)

 

 Tim Kurkjian [13:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (308)

Here’s what went down Monday on G&A

* The Suns survived a sweep and now face another elimination game tomorrow in San Antonio. G&A agree it was nice to see Boris Diaw step up and play to his potential, for once. Ash thinks the Suns can win Game 5. He also loved the fact that Mike D’Antoni played his bench, but wondered why he left his starters in when the game was clearly out of line. Gambo was impressed with D’Antoni’s adjustments, but doesn’t think the Suns will survive this series.

* San Francisco Giant Barry Zito is the most expensive long-reliever in baseball history. He’s 0-6 and with a 7.53 ERA. Gambo thinks Zito was one of the worst free-agent signings in baseball history.

* The Cards wrapped up their draft weekend yesterday afternoon. G&A would have liked to see the Red Birds take running back Rashard Mendenhall with the 16^th pick instead of corner Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, but understand that cornerback was a position that needed an upgrade and depth. Gambo wonders if the small-school Cromartie can consistently match-up against much better NFL-ready talent at the next level like he did at the Senior Bowl. Both love the selection of D-lineman Calais Campbell with the 50^th overall pick.

* We were joined by their 3^rd-round pick and former LSU star receiver Early Doucet. The former Tiger caught 160 passes and 20 TD’s during his 4-year career in Baton Rouge.

* The Diamondbacks won another series beating Jake Peavy and the Padres yesterday in San Diego as Brandon Webb improved to 6-0. The Snakes also called up prized pitching prospect Max Scherzer. G&A love the idea of getting the kid a sample of life in the big leagues.

Tomorrow: ESPN MLB analyst Tim Kurkjian

 

 Early Doucet [13:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (350)

Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A

* G&A peeked ahead to tomorrow’s monumental, must-win Game 3 for the Suns at US Airways Center. Is this series over? Mike D’Antoni sure doesn’t seem to think so. KTAR reporter Craig Grialou joined the guys to discuss today’s practice and the status of Grant Hill.

* Our ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler said the Suns are still alive, but only if they can some how keep Parker and Ginobili out of the paint, something they haven’t done in the first two games. “Legs” expects this series to go seven.

* The NFL draft is 48 hours away. G&A shared their thoughts on what the Red Birds might do with the 16^th pick. Both agree the most glaring need is at running back and cornerback. Gambo would love to see Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall fall into the Cards lap. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt checked in to discuss this weekend’s prospects. Whiz thinks this draft is deep and quality players can be found in the 3^rd and 4^th-round. He also feels there’s less pressure on the club to pick that “can’t miss” player since, for once, they’re not picking in the Top 10.

* Speaking of prospects, former ASU safety Josh Barrett discussed his pre-draft expectations. Barrett is expected to be selected in the 2^nd of 3^rd-round and could be moved to outside linebacker at the next level.

* Laker star Kobe Bryant continues to dominate the game in so many different ways. He dropped 49 points and added 10 assists last night’s win over the Nuggets. G&A discussed where Kobe ranks among the all-time greats of this era (the 80’s and beyond). Gambo is amazed by Kobe’s greatness, but doesn’t know where to rank him among the all-time greats. We took calls.

Tomorrow: former ASU center, now draft prospect Mike Pollak, former UA linebacker and draft candidate Spencer Larsen, and ESPN college football analyst Mark May

 

 ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler [12:49m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (330)

 

 former ASU safety Josh Barrett [11:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (325)

Here’s what went down Wednesday on G&A:

The Spurs continue to own the Suns in the playoffs. Ash thinks it’s time Mike D’Antoni employs the same strategy and slows the pace of the game by fouling Tim Duncan (Punk-A-Duncan).

Gambo thinks Umberto is the key to the series because he opens up the floor for Ginobili and Parker by setting great screens and pounding the offensive glass. Gambo thinks the Suns need to play smarter and it’s time for LB, Diaw, Raja, and gimpy Grant Hill to step up their games. G&A agree it will take an amazing effort for the Suns to win this series.

Yawn. The Diamondbacks won another series. The Snakes now 15-5 and running away with the NL West at least for now. Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin checked in for his weekly segment. BoMel says this is a key 5-game stretch against the NL West, starting tonight in LA, before breaking away from division play.

ASU athletic director Lisa Love checked in for her weekly segment to discuss Pat’s Run and the spring football game last weekend at Sun Devil Stadium. Love also applauded junior forward Jeff Pendergraph for not testing the NBA draft waters and returning for his senior season.

Breaking news mid-way through the show as the Cowboys acquired troubled Titans’ cornerback Pacman Jones for a fourth round pick. G&A discussed if this trade makes sense for either team.

Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin wants out of Arizona. Cardinals’ GM Rod Graves says they are not shopping their talented receiver and will not re-negotiate his deal until it expires in 2010. Gambo likes that the Cards aren’t budging on Q’s request, but think they would be wise to take offers. Ash thinks the Red Birds should do everything in their power to keep him, but only if it makes sense financially.

Future HOF’er John Smoltz struck out his 3,000^th batter last night in Atlanta. Gambo wondered why only 23,000 bothered to show up.

Sharks center Jeremy Roenick also checked in to discuss his big game (2 goals, 2 assists) as San Jose eliminated Calgary last night.

Thursday: ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler, Cards’ head coach Ken Whisenhunt, ASU draft prospects Mike Pollak & Josh Barrett

 

 ASU athletic director Lisa Love [5:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (333)

 

 Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin [14:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (327)