So we are roughly three weeks into what should be the NBA season and fans are getting itchy for live hoops. There is only so much time you can focus on betting soccer money, so what is a basketball lover to do?

For myself, it means going out and watching local talent at the University level or to go and see the Halifax Rainmen of the newly formed National Basketball League of Canada.

The drop off in talent is immense but it is still basketball. It is still coaches drawing up plays and players executing. The one giant difference is the effort on defence. Apparently you need to be paid well to sweat your balls off on D.

For those who live in larger markets, NBA markets to be exact, there have been several charity or All-Star games put together by bored NBA players and those marketing companies that need to make money.

The latest game to pop up will be in New Orleans on Dec. 3 at UNO’s Lakefront Arena when Charlotte Hornets guard Chris Paul hosts an event featuring some of his best friends.

Not his high school best friends. We mean the likes of Miami’s Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony.

The game is being called the “Google+ Homecoming Tour” by CAA, the sports marketing agency that represents Paul. Can you see a tie in there? Yeah I thought so.

Proceeds from the four-city tour, which include games in Chicago; Akron, Ohio; and East Rutherford, N.J., will benefit Paul’s CP3 Foundation, which does charitable outreach for youth in the New Orleans area.

This will be the second charity game Paul has staged during the NBA’s lockout and labor dispute. He held one in his hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C., on Oct. 1.

So have you seen any of the previous charity games or All-Star events? Have they filled the void for NBA basketball in your life?

I  have to admit, the summer league games where Kevin Durant put up legendary numbers was a lot of fun. But that was the summer. This is real season time.

I also read that DeMar DeRozan is going to host a game in Toronto, with far less big names.

In terms of charity, I think the games are a great idea but in they end they are like watching an All-Star game. Lots of flash but very little substance.

I will hold out for real NBA ball, even if that means fall of 2012.

Which by the way I am 100% going on record that there will be no season this year and to be honest I may not miss it at all by the time it comes back.

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