BROOKLYN, NYThe NBA's efforts to speed up the start of games has not gone over well with some players.
But there's another group of people who might be impacted even more: coaches.
The league has informed players that it will crack down on the usual pre-game handshakes and other rituals that players, in some cases, have done for years.
After player introductions, players will be expected to be ready to play after 90 seconds.
Not only does it mean that players such as Kevin Garnett will have to modify their pre-game preparation, but it also means a change of sorts for coaches as well.
"I think they forgot that the coach actually has to draw up a play before the opening (tip)," said Boston's Doc Rivers. "You usually do that."
Rivers added, "I like why we're doing it. I just think we need to re-think the time. Ninety seconds is not enough. We probably need 30 more seconds or a minute."
Boston Celtics
Other players throughout the NBA have already chimed in and expressed their dislike for the new rule.
"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," Oklahoma City all-star Kevin Durant told reporters. "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."
Among those players with longstanding pre-game rituals is Kevin Garnett, who spends time by himself at a stanchion underneath the basket near the Celtics bench.
"Guys have routines for years," Rivers said. "Fans enjoy the routines. You're taking something away . . . I just think another 30 seconds or a minute."
NBA veteran Jason Terry is among those who won't be impacted by the new rule, and he isn't overly concerned it will have much of an impact on his teammates or NBA players as a whole.
"Guys have to speed it up a little bit," Terry said. "It's all about making adjustments. It's one of those rules like they always put into this league. Once you get to about all-star break, they forget about it."