When you're watching the pooh-pooh platter otherwise known as "2-Ball" during NBA All-Star weekends, don't you wish you could watch the players go at it 2-vs-2 instead? Tell me it wouldn't be cool to see Kobe and Duncan take on LeBron and Dwight Howard?

Right? Well, what about here in Minnesota?

On that note, we asked the bloggers to give us the two Timberwolves that would win an intersquad 2-on-2 tournament, and to name the best possible NBA twosome as a tiebreaker.

With a three-way tie at the top of the table and the rest of the field not far behind, your poll voting and our subsequent analysis will be as important as ever. Here are the standings, followed by this week's question:

15 points: Sonia Grover: twolvesblog.com
15 points: Anthony Hall: twolvesblog.com
15 points: Stephen Litel: minnesotabasketball.blogspot.com; hoopsworld.com
13 points: Dave Kelsey: twolvesblog.com
11 point: Derek Hanson: twolvesblog.com
10 points: Kate Doan: mnsportsfans.com
5 points: Alex Halsted: Twolves Wordpress

WEEK FOUR QUESTION:
What two Timberwolves would win an intersquad 2-on-2 tournament, and why?
Tiebreaker: What two NBA players would win a league-wide tournament?

ANSWERS:

GROVER: Ricky Davis and Randy Foye

Two-on-two is all about explosiveness and the ability to beat your opponent off the dribble, a game in which a big man isn't a necessity. True, he can dominate if the guard can feed him close to the rim, but speed is the real key.

This game is perfect for anyone who's ever been dubbed a "human highlight reel." Davis seems like he was born to bounce the ball between a defender's legs on his way to the hoop. He’s also relatively big for a shooting guard. The phenomenal athlete’s upside and relevance would be more apparent in this format than a 5-on-5.

Foye has youth, speed, athleticism and that innate playmaking ability that suits him to the game. His improving point guard skills would allow him to fake the shot and dish off to RD on the break. He can also easily drive the lane and make his shot. Also important is that the two are accustomed to playing together. They should be able to outgun any other tandem on the team.

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant


HALL: Randy Foye and Al Jefferson

A two-on-two game presents unique opportunities- there are constant chances for easy baskets in transition, and it also allows guys to operate one-on-one offensively, with plenty of open space on the court.

With that in mind, Foye and Big Al are the perfect combination for a two-on-two squad. Foye’s slashing ability and quickness make him effective on the fast break; the guy isn’t afraid to attack the basket, even if it means getting pounded by a defender, and he has the ability to quickly capitalize on a defensive lapse by pushing the tempo in the transition game. Also, Foye’s ability to penetrate and create separation gives him an edge when he goes one-on-one with his defender. Al, meanwhile, would give this duo a major advantage in the paint. Jefferson has a great post game, with strong footwork, and an arsenal of fakes and moves to get open looks down low. He’d be deadly in a two-on-two game, with plenty of room to operate in the low post, while going one-on-one with his defender.

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: LeBron James and Kevin Garnett


LITEL: Ricky Davis and Al Jefferson

Although it is tempting to substitute Foye for Davis, at this time Davis is the best outside player to compliment the best inside player on the roster--Jefferson. When properly motivated, Davis is capable of creating his own shot, as well as creating for others quite easily and beautifully. Not to mention--again, when motivated--Davis is the best perimeter defender on the team, even outshining defensive stopper Trenton Hassell.

The easier of the two choices is Jefferson. Down in the post, the only player who may be able to slow down Jefferson is Craig Smith. However, with the size advantage Jefferson has on Smith, the nod must go to Big Al. Blount, Howard, Ratliff, Madsen and Richard all would be outmatched. The duo of Davis and Jefferson would stand far above other pairing from the roster.

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard


KELSEY: Ricky Davis and Ryan Gomes

With such a sizable amount of pride and bragging rights at stake, my team would be Ricky Davis and Ryan Gomes. No other remaining two players can match their combination of size, experience, and ability to score from anywhere on the court.

In 2-on-2, it is important to be able to establish an “inside-outside” game between teammates. Davis can aptly handle the guard duties, while Gomes should be at least adequate as the “big man.” Gomes can passably guard other posts, and at the same time his athleticism will present a mismatch for the other bigs guarding him. He can bang down low, as well as hit from downtown, which will draw the defender out of the lane, allowing room for Ricky to drive inside at will against the remaining smaller Wolves guards.

As our best offensive player, Ricky should excel in 2-on-2. He’s too quick for bigs, and has too much size for our other guards to cover. Ricky is perfectly suited for 2-on-2 with someone like Gomes, who is a veritable “jack-of-all-trades.”

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant


HANSON: Ricky Davis and Randy Foye

Ricky Davis and Randy Foye would be a great combination to win a 2-on-2 tournament because they are both able to create their own shots and beat people off of the dribble. They play without the ball very well which can create open shots. Ricky and Randy are also great distributors with 6.1 and 5.9 assists per 48 minutes, respectively.

Foye likes to control the game and distribute the ball while also having the ability to pull up and nail a jumper at any time or beat the defender off of the dribble. Foye averaged 21.3 points per 48 minutes last season. The majority of these points came in crunch time which will help significantly in a 2-on-2 because these tournaments are crunch time.

Davis likes to take over games and usually performs in streaks. Dazzle had a field goal percentage of 46.5%. He also pulled down 3.9 rebounds per game last season. Davis can also play great defense and displayed that last season. These talents could help Davis win a 2-on-2 tournament with Foye.

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant


DOAN: Al Jefferson and Randy Foye

Al Jefferson will anchor my two-man team, as he will provide the needed glass-cleaning on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court, his eleven rebounds per game stand out, but in a two man game, his rebounding ability is paramount, I would expect his rebounds would increase, and with fewer players to fight him for the ball, he will score easily, both with offensive rebounds, and in the post.

Al’s best month in the NBA least year was when Paul Pierce was healthy for the Celtics, so a physical player, who will drive to the basket, draw fouls, and also hit a 3 point shot on occasion is the ideal complement for Al. Al’s partner will be Randy Foye, Randy added looks to have added a more reliable 3 point shot to his arsenal this year, when combined with his 85% FT percentage, and a 4.6 rebounding rate per 40 minutes, the two should be provide essential synergy and be a winning combination.

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan


HALSTED: Al Jefferson and Gerald Green

Well, the easy answer for this question would be Al Jefferson and Randy Foye. They might be dominant, and they are clearly the two stars of the team. But, that decision would be far too easy, and the answer might not be all that interesting.

Instead, I'd choose Al Jefferson and Gerald Green. This combination would still be fun to watch, and would provide a lot of athleticism and talent to the floor. Both of these players are used to playing with each other back with Boston, so the chemistry and their knowledge of each others game would be there while Foye and Jefferson may not be all that familiar quite yet. I think this combination would win because it would provide a low-post threat with Al, and Gerald would be a good enough ball handler to get it inside to him. At the same time, Green would be a threat on offense with his explosive dunking talent and his athletic ability helping him beat defenders. The main question would be defense with Green out there, but I think it'd be all right.

As much as I wanted to put Al and Randy down, I thought that would be way to easy :)

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kevin Garnett and LeBron James