Posted Oct 17, 2012 7:57 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- 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 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, with spokesman Tim Frank saying Wednesday it's just a more thorough enforcement of an existing policy. Players are being told of it during their preseason meetings with referee crew chiefs.
![]() | Flynn Robinson dies at 72 Flynn Robinson played 7 seasons in the NBA. He won an NBA Championship in 1972 with the Lakers and was selected as an All-Star in 1970. |
![]() | Durant Visits Tornado Victims Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder visit and lend a hand to the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. |
![]() | Preview: Sounds of the 2013 Playoffs An all-access pass to the most pressure packed time of the year, as the march to the NBA Finals continues. |
![]() | GameTime: Pacers-Heat Game 1 Steve Smith and Isiah Thomas discuss the Heat's overtime win in Game 1 and what the Pacers' need to focus on for Game 2. |
![]() | GameTime: Stopping Parker Steve Smith and Isiah Thomas breakdown how the Grizzlies need to slow down Tony Parker for Game 3. |