TNT crew offers up NHL-like ideas to improve All-Star Game

The Splash Brothers have turned the 3-point contest into must-see TV. Zach LaVine made the dunk contest cool again.

When the NBA convenes All-Star weekend in Toronto beginning on Friday, the league's annual ''midseason" showcase will be as strong top to bottom as it has been in some time. But that doesn't mean there couldn't be ways to add more flavor and different twists to keep things fresh.

With that in mind, TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith were asked if there were any changes they would like to see the league make to one of its most popular events of the season. And like most other matters concerning the game, the trio didn't hesitate to offer some suggestions.

''I would love to see an outdoor game,'' Barkley said. ''That would be my suggestion.''

That wouldn't work in Toronto next weekend, obviously. But why not give it a shot when the All-Star Game next goes to Miami or Phoenix or Los Angeles?

Barkley also would like to see the league try a United States versus the World format to get away from the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference matchup used ever since the game was first played in 1951. With the influx of international talent to the league and the NBA's global reach, it's an intriguing thought. This year the Rising Stars Challenge featuring the best rookies and sophomores will be played that way.

''We've got enough international players now to make it competitive,'' Barkley said. ''I think that would be exciting.''

The NHL All-Star Game used a North America-vs.-The World format from 1998 to 2002.

Smith would like to see a non-NBA player get a chance to compete against LaVine and the league's other high flyers in the dunk contest and also wouldn't mind seeing past 3-point champions get to come back and face the winners of today.

-With files from theScore