Fixing All-Star Weekend

The Two Man Game asked the members of the TrueHoop Network how to change All Star-Weekend. Jeremy Wagner of Roundball Mining Company had my favorite idea:

"I would like to see players other than guards participate in the skills challenge.  How fun would it be to watch Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge and Lamar Odom battle it out?  There could also be a big man division with players like Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Nene, Amare Stoudemire, Pau Gasol and Marcus Camby.The last change to the competition format would be a pentathlon. There could be a skills challenge, three point shootout, trick shot shootout, race four lengths of the court with a basketball and then maybe the Mikan Drill (60 seconds to make as many layups as you can alternating hands with each shot).  Whoever wins would be given the title of The Most Complete Player in the NBA or Most Versatile Player in the NBA.  A financial bonus is this could be held at a second venue resulting in more ticket sales."

Here are my ideas:

"Get rid of the sophomores (in the Rookie Challenge). Would you rather see Kevin Durant and Co. beat up up on some first-year players or get a chance to see Kevin Love, Marreese Speights, Eric Gordon, Mario Chalmers and Joe Alexander in extended action?An old-timer’s game. I’m not talking about a bunch of guys standing out of the way so Julius Erving can try to dunk. I want to see some guys who aren’t that far from their retirement and are still competitive enough to want to win.  This may mean former All-Stars like Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwan, Glen Rice, Scottie Pippen, Rik Smits, Antoine Walker, Mitch Richmond, Nick Van Exel, Terrell Brandon  or Alonzo Mourning. Or this might mean role players who are still in shape, like P.J. Brown, Robert Horry, Kevin Willis, Toni Kukoc, Jon Barry or Clifford Robinson. A good mix of the two groups would provide the best game.Also, a Two-on-two tournament between players from each state and country (that has two player represented in the NBA). Games would be short, probably to seven. This could bring some March Madness-type Cinderella stories to the weekend. And think of the potential for jersey sales. Here’s a look at what teams might look like:Alabama: Ben Wallace and Gerald WallaceAlaska: Carlos Boozer and Mario ChalmersArkansas: Joe Johnson and Derek FisherCalifornia: Ray Allen and Tayshaun PrinceConnecticut: Ryan Gomes and Marcus CambyDelaware: Joey Graham and Steven GrahamWashington D.C.: Delonte West and Kevin DurantFlorida: Amar’e Stoudemire and Vince CarterGeorgia: Dwight Howard and Josh SmithIllinois: Dwyaye Wade and Andre IguodalaIndiana: Greg Oden and Zach RandolphIowa: Nick Collison and Patrick O’BryantKansas: Earl Watson and Maurice EvansKentucky: Rajon Rondo and Greg BucknerLouisiana: Danny Granger and Paul MillsapMaryland: Jeff Green and Rudy GayMassachusetts: Demetris Nichols and Courtney SimsMichigan: Jason Richardson and Kenyon MartinMinnesota: Joel Przybilla and Devean GeorgeMississippi: Al Jefferson and Mo WilliamsMissouri: David Lee and Larry HughesNevada: C.J. Watson and Ricky DavisNew Jersey: Shaquille O’Neal and David WestNew York: Carmelo Anthony and Elton BrandNorth Carolina: Chris Paul and Josh HowardOhio: Lebron James and Kevin MartinOklahoma: Shelden Williams and Jake VoskuhlOregon: Ronnie Brewer and Ime UdokaPennsylvania: Kobe Bryant and Jameer NelsonSouth Carolina: Kevin Garnett and Raymond FeltonTennessee: Brandan Wright and J.J. RedickTexas: Chris Bosh and LaMarcus AldridgeVirginia: Allen Iverson and Keith BogansWashington: Brandon Roy and Rodney StuckeyWest Virginia: O.J. Mayo and Deron WilliamsWisconsin: Caron Butler and Devin HarrisArgentina: Manu Ginobili and Luis ScolaBrazil: Nene and Anderson VarejaoCanada: Steve Nash and Samuel DalembertChina: Yao Ming and Yi JianlianDemocratic Republic of the Congo: Dikembe Mutumbo and Didier Ilunga-MbengaDominican Republic: Fransisco Garcia and Al HorfordFrance: Tony Parker and Boris DiawGermany: Dirk Nowitzki and Chris KamanItaly: Andrea Bargnani and Danilo GallinariLithuania: Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Linas KleizaNetherlands: Dan Gadzuric and Fransisco ElsonNigeria: Emeka Okafor and Ime UdokaPuerto Rico: Carlos Arroyo and Jose BareaSenegal: DeSagana Diop and Cheick SambSerbia: Peja Stojakavic and Aleksandar PavlovicSlovenia: Rasho Nesterovic and Beno UdrihSpain: Pau Gasol and Jose CalderonTurkey: Mehmet Okur and Hedo TurkogluUkraine: Kyrylo Fesenko and Oleksiy PecherovUnited Kingdom: Ben Gordon and Luol DengVirgin Islands: Raja Bell and Tim Duncan"