While watching the Orlando Magic play Boston Celtics on ABC Sunday, I heard Jeff Van Gundy discuss the idea of bringing back some of the all time great 3-point shooters to compete in the 3-Point Contest during the All Star Weekend festivities.

This got me thinking.

Why stop there? I asked myself.

Why not bring back the Old Timers Game? Maybe rename it? Call it the NBA Legends Challenge? Don’t blame me, it seems like the NBA loves anything with the term “Challenge” in the namesake of these events.

If someone could convince Michael Jordan to do it, the league would have to do it. Not only that, but if Jordan did agree, the remaining candidates would likely follow suit. Who would turn down an opportunity to take the court with Jordan one more time?

Some might ask, “What’s the point, can they even still play?” Michael Jordan can.

From an NBA marketing standpoint, there is one pertinent reason to consider this: Michael Jordan.

We all want to see him, no matter what. The NBA and the world should try to squeeze every drop of Michael Jordan’s game out of him before he is fossilized by old age. He could roll in on a wheel chair, and we still would watch.

End of Story.

Jordan recently called Jay Leno a dumbass after Leno asked him if he could still dunk. If that is the case, Jordan can most certainly still play. He often works out with the Bobcats, so you know he is relatively close to game shape.

Why have a game such as the Rookie Challenge before the All Star game? Or possibly a better question: Why have an NBA Skills Challenge?

Why have a game that risks injuries to players with their entire careers ahead of them, versus guys that don’t?

What about the Karl Malones and John Stocktons? Why not put together a squad of retired players, slap as many 1992 Olympic Dream Team players as possible, and reignite the Old Timers Game?

I am convinced the NBA Skills Challenge is the worst idea in NBA All Star Weekend event history. Why not lose it for something meaningful for the history of the game?

Charles Barkley was on Jay Leno and told his national television audience that he was going to lose weight. This kind of game could help him find the motivation to actually do it. Barkley is a fierce competitor in need of goals to remain motivated. Maybe this is just what he needs. Maybe this game could help ex-NBA players remain active and healthy.

Watching the legends play during an NBA Legends Challenge provides multiple generations the opportunity to bond and share a piece of NBA history. Families can experience, share tales from their past, and reinforce the NBA’s history and lineage.

From a business perspective, this has far greater reach towards instilling a devoted following for future generations. I relish in the thought of seeing myself telling a kid about how great Jordan was while watching an Old Timers Game. Wouldn’t you?

Surely there are tons of players people would want to see, but to kick things off, and help fire up the interest level, the most important legends would be a requirement in order to make this successful.

Here is a list of candidates definitely worthy of consideration for a 2010-11 NBA Old Timers Game:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Rik Smits, Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Dennis Rodman

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Magic Johnson, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, James Worthy, Chris Webber, Kevin Johnson, Vlade Divac, Steve Nash*, Grant Hill*

* Denotes players technically old enough to be considered old timers, yet are still active in the NBA. Obviously this is a joke.

Sure there are risks for older players to incur injuries, but these guys are gamers. You don’t become an NBA legend unless you played through all sorts of painful injuries.

To help avoid injuries, this game would follow suit with the All Star game. No one wants to get killed on the court, and some preventative measures would need implementation to achieve a balance between keeping the game competitive and interesting while keeping people being slaughtered.

For instance, Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn would not be invited to the game. Bruiser types and cheap shot artists would have to excluded for the sake of self preservation.

Many of these guys would love to strap on some shoes, rehash their old moves, and show us what legendary tricks they still have up their sleeves.

Speaking of shoes, I smell a another vintage Nike retro issue marketing campaign/sponsorship deal making this more lucrative for all.

There would be the ugly moments such as turnovers and a degradation in those first steps, but who can really argue that this has more importance and entertainment value for the fans and players than a skills competition?

This past week we have seen Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva join Detroit.

Ron Artest took a pay cut and is hoping to get his first ring playing for the world champion Lakers.

Hedo Turkoglu reneged on a Portland offer, selecting the Raptors instead.

Rasheed Wallace is now alongside Kevin Garnett in Boston.

Trevor Ariza maxed out his contract value and is Houston-bound.

And Finally, Jason Kidd is staying in Dallas instead of going to New York.

The free agent signings become official today, the first day that players are allowed to ink their verbal agreements. There are more deals to come involving free agents, and it is going to be interesting to see where everyone ends up.

We here at Protect the Paint will list some of the rumors/moves involving the available free agents.

REMAINING FREE AGENTS

Lamar Odom

Odom might be hugging members of the Blazers soon. (Credit: daylife.com)

Lamar Odom doesn’t seem to be thinking repeat. Instead he and his agent want to be shown the money in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. Odom appears to be going the Trevor Ariza route, cashing in elsewhere now that he has the ring. He sacrificed his stats to win and now wants to sign with a team that could offer him a starting position and big bucks. Should have a different address in 2009-10. The Blazers are reportedly interested. Championship experience on an up and coming squad never hurts.

Andre Miller

Looks like Miller is heading to Portland. Gives the Blazers the floor general they lacked last season and gives Miller a chance to win. Good match all the way around.

Brandon Bass

Bass would make a mistake going to Detroit. (Credit: ocregister.com)

Bass could be staying in Dallas, heading to Orlando, or possibly ending up in Detroit. It makes absolutely no sense for him to sign with the Pistons. With rumors circulating of Carlos Boozer being shipped there for Rip Hamilton, and Charlie Villanueva signing a 5-year deal, he would essentially be the third option at power forward. The Magic need help up front. Orlando would be a good fit.

Antonio McDyess

McDyess could get a ring if he heads to San Antonio. (Credit: ugplay.com)

McDyess is leaning towards San Antonio in the most recent rumor involving the veteran which would provide more depth in the Spurs front court. He’s a solid shooter and depenable on the glass averaging 9.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg last year for the Pistons. The Spurs would have a solid 1-2 post punch with McDyess and Tim Duncan giving them the size to contend with the Lakers huge frontline.

Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat is going to get paid big bucks this summer. (Credit: mlive.com)

Most likely headed to Dallas. We’ll see how he responds to more minutes and more responsibility. This is a huge loss for Orlando who now have lost the majority of their front line not named Dwight Howard–Tony Battie via the Vince Carter deal, Hedo Turkoglu to free agency, and Gortat. The Magic better hope Ryan Anderson is as good as Pat Williams thinks he will be.

Grant Hill

Hill should go to a contender rather than a pretender. (Credit: offsideswithfletcher.com)

There are rumors of Hill heading to the the Knicks. Finally healthy, his game resurfaced playing with Phoenix. He appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season. It’s unfortunate that he would want to make the move to New York, especially when he could most likely ink himself onto another team with better chances of winning a title. Seems like he and fellow 1994 co-ROY Jason Kidd have more in common then we thought: Take the money, not the chance for a championship ring.

Channing Frye

Frye could play minutes that matter for the Cavs. (Credit: nike.com)

Frye is very interested in signing with Cleveland. The guy has been marred with the “wrong place, wrong time” syndrome during his career. He was buried behind David Lee in New York and then behind LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland. If Cleveland loses Anderson Varajao, Frye will have an immediate chance for big minutes at power forward for the Cavs. This is a good opportunity for both sides. Frye has showed he has a lot of game and could be a late bloomer if given the chance.