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While some NBA players and coaches are throwing their hands up in the air — minus the dramatic chalk cloud — over the NBA's push to start games on time, Tyrone Corbin thinks enforcement of a 90-second window between introductions and tipoff is a good move.
"Guys have gotten out of hand with some of the stuff they do before the game," the Jazz coach said. "I don't think the league wants to stop guys from being individuals, but you're on the clock, let's get the game going."
Players and teams' pregame rituals and handshakes are often well-choreographed affairs. While the rule has always been in place, it was generally not called. Now, a 90-second clock will count down in the arena and, if one or both teams are not ready, delay of game will be called.
Boston coach Doc Rivers' concern is more about execution than individuality, however. He told USA Today that the enforcement of the rule limits coaches' abilities to draw up plays before the game begins.
An alternative, Rivers said, would be to shorten pregame introductions.
"If they want to get the game started, shorten that for a minute and give the players an extra minute."
Corbin said time wasting in pregame wasn't an epidemic, but that it would be good to have all 30 teams on the same page.
"Some teams more than others," he said. "It's not a consistent thing, but I just think it's a good rule to have in there so everybody just conform to it."
Injury updates
Mo Williams and Derrick Favors practiced at full speed Friday and are expected to play Saturday against the Clippers.
Williams sat out the Jazz's last two preseason games with a strained right adductor (groin) muscle, while Favors did not play in Wednesday's loss to the Clippers with a bruised knee.
Jamaal Tinsley will be a game-time decision Saturday after having a wisdom tooth removed Thursday. It's been a rough month for Tinsley's mouth: He also missed media day on Oct. 1 due to swelling around his wisdom teeth.
Tinsley showed up to practice Friday but was sent home, the team said.
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