Miami Heat : Are The New Pre-Game Rules Directed At The Champs?

The NBA seems to be fed up with the theory of “rigging” it’s league.

After the way LeBron James led the Miami Heat to the 2012 NBA championship many fans believed that the league truly wanted James to be a champion. Yes I know pretty stupid thinking.

But the league has instituted new rules for flopping and want players to cut down on their pregame rituals and handshakes; two things the Heat did often.

James is known for his powder toss and his outrageous handshakes with his teammates. And although the league wants to make players who do similar actions to James stop, James had made a stance on the subject.

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

Dwyane Wade also is known for his pregame routines. Before home games Wade does pull=ups on the rim, hugs his mom, and signals to the crowd before taking his place at center court.

“I’ll have to take something away for sure,” Wade said. “I’m always going to make sure I show love to the fans. There are so many rules, I can’t keep up. There’s no reason to make a big stink. It’s their league; it’s their rules.”

Both Heat stars are right in their feelings on the subject. James admitted before last season that he had to be himself in order to become the player and champion he wants to be, and being himself is shadow boxing with Wade and making funny ways to slap up Mario Chalmers.

Wade is right that the league can do what it wants to and no matter what players and fans must accept it.

But the elephant in the room is that nobody has complained about these pregame antics. It is truly a way for players to show their excitement and passion for the game.

As for flopping, Heat players don’t consider themselves as floppers. Shane Battier led the Heat in charges taken making himself an easy target for the label ‘Flopper’.

“Listen, I don’t flop like a lot of these guys,” Battier said. “I know a lot of people say I flop, but I’m too old for that.”

The league may be trying to send a message to the basketball world using the Heat as an indirect example of what will no longer acceptable.