5 NBA Customs We Hate

I love the NBA, but it has some traditions that have gotten just plain annoying. Every player has a tattoo, the half-time "shows" have gotten ridiculous and I need to stop listing now before I go off on a Dennis Miller-type rant.

Last I checked, basketball was all about the game. Now, in some cases, it's become something of a circus act with all of the gimmicks that come with certain teams and/or players. To a traditionalist fan like myself, it's just plain insulting.

I've come up with five so-called "customs" that have polluted the NBA long enough, and if they don't leave soon, basketball just won't be basketball anymore.

No. 5: Celebrity Sightings

One thing I've noticed about most NBA games I've watched in recent years is that the TV cameras, more often than not, will pan to a celebrity in the crowd. 

On Knicks broadcasts, Spike Lee (pictured) always gets a ton of screentime. The same goes for Jack Nicholson whenever the Lakers are on.

Simply put, why do the cameras seek out these people? Call me crazy, but they're probably at the game to relax and get away from the limelight.

Here's an idea, TV networks. Turn the cameras away from the celebs and focus on the game!

No. 4: Throwback Jersey

Every so often, a team will don one of its old-time jerseys for one game. As a fan, I have one simple request: STOP!!!!!

The way I see it, these jerseys were changed for a reason. Some are plain boring while others are complete and utter eyesores.

I understand that some teams want to honor their history, but is it worth blinding some of the fans for life? I sure don't think so.

No. 3: Giving Away Huge Prizes at Halftime

In a trend that I started to notice when I was in high school, some NBA games had half-time shows where there was a huge prize at stake. Said prize was usually one of two things: a new car or a ridiculous amount of cash.

Yet, to win this prize, one had to do something near-impossible like make a shot from half court. Given how most fans in attendance at these games have never played basketball anywhere except the playground, one can see how ridiculous and borderline condescending these contests are.

Us fans spend enough money on tickets and concessions, let alone merchandise, so why tease us with a slim chance at making it all back? It's just plain mean and needs to stop.

No. 2: Tattoos

OK, serious question. When did the NBA turn into a circus sideshow? It seems that today, every team has its own version of the ridiculously tattooed man.

From Chris Andersen (pictured) and his ridiculous body art to Jason Terry's trophy tattoo to J.R. Smith's outrageous neck work, the infamous ink just takes away from the attention to the game and instead has fans focusing on something mindless. 

Nothing against the players who have tattoos, but the fact that everyone has them now makes the tattoos themselves a bit tired.

No. 1: Flopping

Look, I get it. Everybody flops. It's part of the game. Still, that doesn't mean that I have to like it.

Call me old-fashioned, but faking being fouled is just plain cheating. If you can't play the game fairly, then don't be in the league. 

Floppers like Paul Pierce and Anderson Varejao take their art to a whole new level, and as a result, the league should step in and try to curb it.

I understand that it's become a "tradition" of some sorts under players as they're on defense, but it doesn't make it right. Out with the flopping, back in with the integrity of the game!