The NBA 1-on-1 Tournament of the early 1970's may be worth another shot by the NBA and even the BIG3 League. Each team had two representatives, and the tournament took place over several months. The winner took away $15,000.00 (in $1 bills, no less) and the total prize money amounted to $50,500.00 - decent money back then.
The finals pitted the Celtics Jo Jo White against the Pistons Bob Lanier. The big, slow giant (6'11" Lanier) versus the quick little guy (6'3" White).