WHACK BACK AT VAC

Bob Smith: My first team was the Sixers of Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer and Chet “The Jet” Walker, who couldn’t get by Bill Russell. Jumped on the Knicks bandwagon in the late ’60s and got to see Cowens and Co. get theirs. The Dean Meminger game in ’73 and the Cavs’ win in Boston are real highlights for those of us who feel the same way about anything Boston.

Vac: However much the Celtics may have been likeable, I’m pretty sure what I heard when I opened my window late Sunday night was America cheering. Matthew Boccacchio: I’m a baseball purist and hate the DH … but after the Mets had not one but two starting pitchers injured while batting this year (so far), maybe time to reconsider?

Vac: I never thought I’d be riding shotgun with you on that one but my resistance has been shattered. I’m tired of watching pitchers hurt themselves and hurt my eyes trying to do something they aren’t trained to do after Little League. @WheresKernan: Mike, you have to let it go. You care more than J.R. Smith does. @MikeVacc: Alas, I think America’ s Most Beloved Sports writer is right about that one.

Kevin Bryant: “The Americans” series finale reminded me of your recent column on the Celtics: Rooting for the bad guys never seemed so right.

Vac: Hmmm…the Celtics as Cold-War Communists… I can live with that! I loved the way the show wrapped up. And the one scene( if you saw it, you know the one I mean) was just elite TV at its finest.