Tipoff will wait for nothing in the NBA this season — not even one of its most iconic images, LeBron James’ pregame powder toss.

In an effort to speed up tip times for TV, the league will strictly enforce a 90-second window before games for player handshakes, superstitious rituals, elaborate high-five routines, bit comedies and whatever fun things players invent to entertain themselves and their fans.

Apparently, the fun before games isn’t as important as TV programming.

No matter. James said he still plans to throw his magical cloud of dust into the air.

“I won’t change it,” James said after Wednesday’s practice. “I’ll be able to work it in.”

Players were informed of the 90-second rule during pregame meetings with league officials. Teams will receive an initial warning for delaying a game. The second warning will result in a technical foul.

via Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald