Time to check in with some reader comments and observations from the last week:

JesusSavesThorntonScores apparently had a slow week at work, chiming in on numerous topics; “I think Theo should've stayed away. He would have maintained that cult like worship for all eternity...like Hendrix or James Dean...or any other big star that died before they screwed up.‿

Very good point. When you help deliver the first World Series title in 86-years, there’s really no place else to go but down. It’s not like Theo will have Brian Cashman’s bottomless money pit to tap into, and I’m really curious to see how this “developing the youth‿ stuff flies in the face of the most expensive ticket in all of baseball. Should a few years of mediocrity follow, Epstein may go the way of Springsteen instead of Hendrix.

RobzRantz says he’s not impressed by Kobe Bryant’s 81-points, advising; “So when the Kobe show makes a stop at the GARDEN this year bring your sons (but leave the daughters at home) and show them what NOT to do on a basketball court."

Well my angry friend, 81 is 81 no matter how you slice it and it’s only been topped once in NBA history. Plus, Wilt’s 100-point game degenerated into a farce as both teams resorted to fouling midway through the 4th quarter in order to help or hurt the cause. Kobe’s outburst was necessary for his team to win. However, I must give you props for calling out Phil Jackson as a fraud. If that phony really wants to go down as the greatest coach in history, he should try coaching a team without the best player in the league on the roster.

While we’re on the subject of basketball, The Other Ted is a bit down on Paul Pierce, even offering this advice to Dealer Danny Ainge; “Buy him a one way ticket to LA where he can undress for Kobe willingly.‿

First of all, two Teds are not better than one, so I suggest another moniker, and I don’t mean Lewinski. Secondly, the Pierce of last year is gone, replaced by a kindler, gentler version. And lastly, that was Brandi Chastain removing her shirt, not Mia Hamm. Though a nation of men wishes you were correct!

Talking about Peyton Manning, ALP writes; “Peyton Manning is exactly like Dan Marino (and I LOVED Marino when he played). The loss always falls at the feet of another player – the loss is NEVER Peyton’s fault. When Peyton said, “I don’t want to be a bad teammate, but…‿ I almost died. We would NEVER hear Tom Brady or any other NE Patriot player utter that sentence! (Not a player who wanted to return anyway). Until Peyton can accept that he is a part of a team, playing a TEAM sport, he will never win a championship. Let him play baseball if he wants statistics and MVP awards.‿

I hate it when the readers sound more intelligent than the blogger. Knock it off, or I’ll be out of a job!

Finally Louis Cypher (best screen name yet) says; “Great article in Saturday's Sun by Kendall Wallace about how much the city's doing to keep the team here. It shows that there really isn't much at stake to keep them but the city officials are doing what they always have been doing lately.......nothing.‿

Actually, the most surprising part of the column to me is that a buyer willing to keep the team in Lowell was found, and that he only wants a guarantee of 1,500 season tickets. If that’s the case, a deal is more than doable. Mill City sports fans…..it’s time to step up and pledge your support!

Keep the comments coming!