NBA to limit pregame routines to 90 seconds

[benji]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/85158 ... cond-clock

The guideline will eliminate or severely cut down on the routines players from most teams go through before games, which often include a series of handshakes with their own teammates before greeting opponents. It would also likely legislate out individual rituals like LeBron James' famous chalk toss, which he abandoned last season during the playoffs.

Over the years, as the elaborate handshakes and other routines have become extended -- for example, Shaquille O'Neal famously created team-wide skits acted out before Phoenix Suns games three seasons ago -- games have routinely taken five minutes or longer to begin after the starting lineups were announced. The NBA is attempting to speed up the start of games.

Players have been advised of the initiative during the annual meetings with referees in the preseason as part of the league's "points of emphasis."

"There's a 90-second countdown, it is placed on the clock," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. "At 30 seconds, there's a warning horn and alert by the refs. At the end, teams need to be ready to tip off or face a delay-of-game warning."

...

"I personally don't like it," Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant told The Oklahoman. "Every player in this league has routines they do with their teammates, rituals they do before the game and before they walk on the floor. The fans enjoy it. You see the fans mimicking the guys who do their stuff before the game. To cut that down really don't make no sense."

[Andrew]

Normally I'd cringe a little at the NBA cracking down on something that adds some fun, flair and personality to the game, but I'd say this is absolutely fair. Do teams really need more than 90 seconds to put on some kind of skit before games? That seems like an ample amount of time.

[jettdaking!]

NBA players need pregame rituals to hype themselves up, and it's a way to get some harmony with the team (Lebron-era Cavs pregame rituals were just awesome). NBA officials should respect that, and I'm sure the fans would be more than alright if the game gets delayed because some players wanna do their thing. They pay to get entertained, right?

[Andrew]

They get paid to play basketball, not put on silly five minute skits before tipoff. Are you saying they really need to dance around and goof off for five whole minutes right before tipoff to get into their "zone", as it were? The great teams and players of yesteryear seemed to get by just fine without doing that, but even if it's a necessity for today's players, do they really need more than 90 seconds for an impromptu talent show?

The fans may not care that the games are delayed, but the television networks might and the league obviously wants everything to run efficiently and as on-time as possible, as it should. It's not exactly unfair for the league to expect players to start work on time. I say shut up and play.

[airBerlin]

agreed with andrew. for those that enjoy the skits, i would think 90 seconds would be more than enough. i could do without them completely, but it doesn't really matter to me.

[_Steve_]

agreed with andrew. for those that enjoy the skits, i would think 90 seconds would be more than enough. i could do without them completely, but it doesn't really matter to me.

I agree with both of you. 90 seconds are enough for frolicking...

[Patr1ck]

They already have little huddles before they get to the court. How much do they need to get ready? I would remove the pregame handshakes and force postgame handshakes.

[benji]

I would get rid of the tip off and instead have competitive routines. Winner gets possession.

[koberulz]

I would...force postgame handshakes.

Why? It renders them completely meaningless. Not that they aren't completely meaningless anyway, because they're essentially mandatory at this point, but legal pressure removes the last pretense of meaning.

[chicagoRAW]

I'm glad they implemented this, get on with the game, enough ass grabbing garbage and all the corny rituals. It's not cute, they're grown men, play basketball.

I want more rules like this to get rid of all the extra garbage. Hand slaps after every free throw should be next.

[bowdown]

Thats good. I dont care for any rituals. Get the game going.

[Lean]

...force postgame handshakes.

I'm up for this, to prevent bitter players' walkouts. And to practice respect to say the least.

[koberulz]

It's not respect if you have no choice.

[shadowgrin]

Forcing postgame handshakes, bunch of LeBron haters.

[NovU]

Pro basketball's strange new crackdown
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba ... --nba.html

You guys complain because TSN puts on commercials heavily before the tip off but if you were actually there live, you'd enjoy what players' routines and all that. This wasn't a move that was necessary.

[Andrew]

Good for the fans live, good for the players, but if they need more than a minute and a half to dance, goof off and fart around before tipoff, then I don't blame the league for cracking down on it. I think this is a case where they've been given an inch, taken a mile and ruined it for themselves.

[shadowgrin]

In Chicago, the starters are asked to sign autographs for young fans at center court RIGHT BEFORE THE GAME STARTS, a practice that will surely be outlawed because of this new rule.

[Andrew]

Depends whether the league classifies that as a pre-game player routine or a separate part of the proceedings. I'm guessing the latter.