Gilbert Arenas & Shaq's giving spirit far more entertaining than Mickelson's at NBA All-star game in Las Vegas

Phil Mickelson’s under-the-radar donations to former NFL player Conrad Dobler was an unnecessary act of giving and helped to expose the NFL’s lack of appreciation to the stars who helped put the league where it is today.

The NBA All-star Game took place in Las Vegas last night. Fittingly, it was a bet between two players that led to a much more entertaining $100,000 donation to East All-star Gilbert Arenas’ charity.

When TNT’s coverage cut back from commercial in the second half last night, they showed a clip of a group of Elvis impersonators who brought a trampoline on the court to engage in some high-flying dunks. Then out of no where Arenas grabbed a ball and performed a dunk off the trampoline himself. He should have won the Slam Dunk competition the night before with the effort. (For video of his dunk, click here)

According to Arenas’ blog, he mentioned to Shaq he wanted to join the Elvis’ and do a dunk of his own off the trampoline. Shaq said if he did, he’d give Arenas $100,000 to his “Zer0 2 Her0″ charity.

So Arenas, despite the fact he has max contract with the Wizards and his coach Eddie Jordan (who was on the bench in Vegas) has criticized Arenas recently for lack of leadership, ran over and one-upped the Elvis’ with an electric trampoline dunk of his own - all for a good cause of course.

Arenas also reportedly gave out over 100 All-star Arenas jerseys (valued at $140 each) to kids in the stands before the game as well. (It should also be noted Michelle Wie was in the stands, as TNT showed her briefly during pre-game).

In a possible “Stick it to the NFL move", NBA commissioner David Stern announced in Vegas the league would raise annual pensions to former players. Shaq himself is also no stranger to spontaneous giving. He, along with fellow Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, make up for the league’s most charitable front court.

Arenas and Mickelson have a lot in common lately. They posses all-star skills while having a recent history of choking - Mickelson at Winged Foot and most recently Sunday at the Nissan Open; Arenas in last year’s Game 7 vs. Cleveland when he missed two free throws at the end of the game when he only needed one to tie. Both have been criticized for lacking the “killer instinct". Pyschologists everywhere would love a session with them, and they have a big, charitable spirit and are fantastic, entertaining players to watch.

I only wish when Mickelson decided to give money to Dobler’s family a trampoline was involved so we could see some jiggle.