All star game 1 v 1

[slightly biased bias fan]

I may sound stupid for asking this but why has no one ever asked why NBA don't have East vs West 1 v 1 pick up game.

I think it would be the biggest event of the weekend and players could be nominated by the teams themselves or the fans get to vote.

Can you imagine Durant vs James or Westbrook vs Irving??

[ebonilla34]

Brilliant idea - TP. I would love to see 1 on 1 activities between big name players.

[knuckleballer]

I have always wanted to see that.  Or perhaps, a 2 on 2 would be more exciting to watch.  A 1 on 1 could get slow with guys backing each other up to the rim. 

I assume the reason they don't do this is I don't think teams want the guys exerting themselves too much.  Those games could become very physical and competitive.

[jambr380]

I would love to see it, but am not sure the top players would want to participate. Since there is only one winner, there will be a lot of players not winning and people will base who is the 'best' based on this. I am not sure guys want to risk their reputations.

[Rakulp]

Egos will keep this idea from ever happening...that, and the fact that team management will not want to risk their stars getting an injury in a "exhibilition" that means little to the regular season and playoffs. 

Playing in the All Star game is ok because it's more relaxed, light on the defensive side and it is what they do on a nightly basis any way.  But the pressure of playing 1 on 1 and winning will cause them to play at a pace that easily could lead to a injury that will keep them from being the best they could be for their team.

...now, a Legends 3 point shooting contest...that's what I would love to see.  With a longer clock, letting them shoot all the balls at a reasonable pace, I can see where the fans would eat that up.  I'm betting Larry Bird would practice all year for that contest!

Rak

[BornReady]

Yeah it would be nice but it kinda makes the game more competitive than it should be

All star weekend usually lets the players unwind and relax with their families

The all star game is just a fun playground style game with no real meaning
Most guys don't really care if they get the all star game mvp

Having a 1 on 1 would force guys to compete for pride which isn't really what the games are about

[Humble G]

I think the nba should do what golf does with the ryder cup... earn points for singles and doubles. That might be pretty awesome!  10 1v1 matches for 1 pt each. 5 2v2 matches for 2pts each. And the all star gamr be worth 10pts...30pts total....side that scores 16 pts or more wins it all!

[mgent]

I think it could either be extremely exciting or very boring, given that they'd probably refuse to play D against each other.

It's like, if you take out all the passing and the alley-oops, is the All-Star game really all that exciting?  Nor are you getting any of the excitement from seeing the best players around the league on the same team as their opponents.

Still, you get the right 2 guys and it could be gold.  Big Baby vs JJ Barea anyone?

[jpotter33]

I have always wanted to see that.  Or perhaps, a 2 on 2 would be more exciting to watch.  A 1 on 1 could get slow with guys backing each other up to the rim. 

I assume the reason they don't do this is I don't think teams want the guys exerting themselves too much.  Those games could become very physical and competitive.

Yep. It would be an excellent idea for the fans, but over-exertion and injury risks pretty much make this idea a non-starter. Plus, I think you would have guys not compete in it due to their egos and stuff since there can only be one winner. I think it's very similar to why Lebron never does the dunk contest. Losing it would hurt his reputation and brand much more than winning it ever could.