All Star Weekend: It's time to bring H-O-R-S-E back...

The NBA All Star weekend could use a tune up. The last couple of All Star weekends weren't really what you'd expect of a showcase of the best the NBA has to offer. Off course, we've seen some pretty dunks, some nice plays and some decent shots, but really, they didn't live up to the hype. Something needs to be done to get the excitement back.

One game I really, truly enjoy playing with my friends if we're done shooting hoops or playing pick up games, is the game of H-O-R-S-E. It's a simple game. One player shooots the ball from a spot of his own chosing. If he scores, the other player has to make an exact replica of that shot. If he fails, he gets a letter. If you fail five times, it spells H-O-R-S-E. If the first player misses, the other player can choose spot and technique. Once you get the hang of it, amazing shotselection starts to happen. Jumping from the baseline, touching the underside of the backboard with the ball and still finishing it. Shooting from the three point line while sitting. Shooting over the backboard, backwards. The possibilities are endless. And me and my friends are only very mediocre basketball players. What if Kobe Bryant, Baron Davis, LeBron James, Arenas and other superstars play this game? They'd hit amazing shots, and because it's very competitive, it's very entertaining. It's the dunk contest plus three point contest plus freakiest shots ever contest all rolled into one. The entertainment value is over the top!

Imagine this: Gilbert Arenas walks up for a half court shot. He blindfolds himself and holds the ball in his weak hand. He lets the shot go and drains it. That's prime time entertainment in itself. But it's not over. Now his opponent, Dirk Nowitzki, has to repeat the process. I'd watch that! And superstars will enter this contest. There are so many bragging rights to be gained by winning this contest, first of all. And secondly, there's very little chance they'd get injured. They could set up a small tournament on Saturday night, having players contest one-on-one in elimination rounds, until two are left to play the finals. I love this game!

Surprisingly, it's not a very original idea. It's been done before. I found an amazing video in which Pete Mavarich plays H-O-R-S-E against Bob McAdoo, George Gervin and Kevin Grevey. I have no idea what year and in what context this contest was played, but I love the creativity of Maravich's shots. He's amazing. Another cool part is the MC and the fact that the players are audible. I love to hear Maravich telling what he's going to do, and actually do it. They definitly should hook up players contesting in H-O-R-S-E with some mics. It would finally bring back the fun, the creativity and the realm of possibilities of the game back into the All Star Weekend.

Here's the video, courtesy of http://www.maravichbooks.com/: