Brees, Payton, Ellis, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports.

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Congratulations to your 2010 Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints! With their thrilling 31-17 dismantling of the Colts, the Saints lifted the spirits of an entire city. That sounds like a big cliche, but in this case it is most definitely true.

---After their Super Bowl victory, Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton deserve their proper recognition in the football pantheon. Whenever one is discussing who is the best QB in the NFL, Brees should be at the top of the list alongside Manning, Brady, and Roethlisberger. And Sean Payton deserves to be considered one of the very best coaches in the game. Payton delivered a brilliant, stunningly gutsy coaching performance. That onside kick decision to commence the second half will go down as one of the most courageous calls in Super Bowl history.

---Special recognition should also be granted to Tracy Porter, who came up with one of the most clutch pick-6's in S.B. history.

---As for Peyton Manning, well, he's still the best of the best. But after that costly interception in crunch time, don't expect Manning to appear in any jovial commercials any time soon. That one will sting for a while.

---In addition to the football, of course, people watch the Super Bowl for the cavalcade of supposedly entertaining commercials. While there were a handful of amusing ads on Super Bowl Sunday (the Betty White-Abe Vigoda ad comes to mind), the hands-down winner for best ad goes to the Letterman-Oprah-Leno commercial. Truly brilliant on the part of all three participants.

---On to the NBA now, where Monta Ellis continues to get zero respect. As a Warriors fan, I am biased, but c'mon! Monta is one of the most electrifying players in the game, and he belongs in the All-Star game. When Chris Paul was bitten by the injury bug, it was acceptable that Chauncey Billups was selected as Paul's injury replacement. But when Brandon Roy went down, Ellis was the obvious choice. Yet Ellis was passed over in favor of Chris Kaman. Granted, Kaman is having a very nice year for the Clippers, but in terms of excitement value, who would be of more worth to the All-Star game, Kaman or Monta Ellis? I rest my case.

---Each day brings forth a new Amare Stoudamire trade rumor. The one rumor that has me shaking my head in disbelief is New Jersey. The Nets do have some significant young talent to build around for the future, namely Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. And new owner Mikhail Prokhorov is not shy about his lofty ambitions. With a move to Brooklyn on the horizon, perhaps the Nets are truly in the market for Amare. But the Nets are so deadly right now, I don't think any hope for the future would be enough to motivate Amare should he be shipped to New Jersey. Sorry, I just don't see that trade happening.

---The Celtics and Spurs are supposed to be serious championship contenders, but right now it's hard to take either team seriously as a title threat. After losing a heartbreaker to Kobe and the Lakers last Sunday, Boston has looked awful, barely surviving the lowly Nets and choking miserably in the second-half in a home loss to the Magic. Adding to the Celtics' woes, Rajon Rondo recently alluded to friction in the Celtics locker room. Memo to Doc Rivers and company: If you want any shot at beating Cleveland, Orlando, or even Atlanta, you better start playing better basketball, A.S.A.P.

---As worrisome as Boston has been, the plight of the Spurs has been more glaring. While San Antonio has never been known to amaze people in the regular season, there is something more noticeable about their struggles this season. While the trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker is still potent, it is showing signs of age. And the Spurs' execution in crunch time has been terrible, as evidenced by their stunning collapse in Portland last Thursday night. Like the Celtics, Gregg Popovich's team better get it together soon if they want to be in the championship mix. A win tonight in Los Angeles would be a great start.

---I am currently reading "When the Game Was Ours", a tremendous first-hand account of the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry, told by Magic and Larry themselves, with the help of superb sportswriter Jackie MacMullan. It is a fantastic read, a must for all hoops fans.

---And finally, with baseball season fast approaching, I am giddy with excitement about the return of my beloved San Francisco Giants. But I am worried about this Tim Lincecum arbitration mess. Memo to Larry Baer, Bill Neukom, Brian Sabean, and the entire Giants front office: Lincecum is the best pitcher in the game. Just give him what he wants! This situation better be resolved soon, or I am going to have a panic attack.