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?