NBA clamps down pregame routines

Tired of its games starting late while players go through elaborate handshakes, chest bumps, hugs and other routines, the NBA is putting players on the clock. LeBron James (pictured right) can still do his chalk toss and Kevin Garnett can still skip over to the baseline and pound his chest to pump up the Boston crowd, but they’d better do it on time. Ninety seconds will be put on the clock once pregame introductions are completed, and referees will let teams know in their huddles when it hits 30. If they aren’t ready for the jump ball when …

Tired of its games starting late while players go through elaborate handshakes, chest bumps, hugs and other routines, the NBA is putting players on the clock. LeBron James (pictured right) can still do his chalk toss and Kevin Garnett can still skip over to the baseline and pound his chest to pump up the Boston crowd, but they’d better do it on time. Ninety seconds will be put on the clock once pregame introductions are completed, and referees will let teams know in their huddles when it hits 30. If they aren’t ready for the jump ball when time expires, their team will get a delay of game warning. A second warning results in a technical foul. It’s not a new rule. Spokesman Tim Frank said Wednesday it’s just a more thorough enforcement of an existing policy. – Associated Press