What would the NBA All-Star game be like without its master?  If Michael Jordan gets his own way we may just find out, the NBA's greatest ever player stating that he would not mind being left out of next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta so younger players could compete.

"Things are changing," said Jordan. "Players are changing and a new generation is coming in. Fans want to see new players in new situations. That doesn't bother me at all. I welcome that. That's how the league is going to survive. It's time for me to step aside and let these kids move in."

Jordan has done it all.  He has been in 13 All-Star games already and in those he won the MVP three times.

He most likely will not be starting for the Eastern Conference squad with voting closing on Sunday leaving Jordan more than 100,000 votes behind Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady according to Steve Wyche of the Washington Post.  But Jordan can still be nominated as a reserve by the Eastern Conference coaches who select the reserves for this type of game.

While Jordan's popularity and reputation around the league could be to his advantage when voting takes place, His Airness will have serious competition from the likes of Boston's Paul Pierce, New Jersey's Jason Kidd, New Orleans' Baron Davis, New York's Allan Houston, Milwaukee's Ray Allen and teammate Jerry Stackhouse, among others.

"Look, I've played in enough all-star games to know what it feels like," said Jordan, who started in last season's game, making him the first Washington player since Chris Webber [1997] to play in the midseason classic. "I'm not opposed to letting the young kids go in and do things. It would be great relaxation for me and my family for that week. I'm not opposed to that.

"I'm not going to campaign for it. I've had my experiences with the all-star game and it's great and it's good to represent the fans and if I get a chance to do that, I will do that. If I don't, there will be no remorse, no ill feelings, no animosity, none of that. I'll enjoy my week. I'm pretty sure I can find a warm climate somewhere."