10 NBA Traditions That Need to Be Retired

With Christmas day fast approaching, not only are we looking forward to holiday cheer, but the beginning of the NBA season as well.

The NBA owners and players recently agreed on a new CBA that ended the lockout, but fans would still love seeing certain things change. While these issues may not be serious or major as money, there is no doubt fans would love to tweak the system.

For those of you who read this, feel free to add things you would like to see retired or leave a comment.

Although we will probably never see most of these change, fans can't help but to show some hope.

TV Timeouts

Nothing kills the momentum of an exciting game more than a commercial break. Does a kickball violation really justify us fans having to sit through commercials about potato chips or tampons?

Many viewers will use this as a chance to get some snacks or make a bathroom run, but in all it's just a burden for fans to zone out and forget what's going on in the actual game.

Sure, there are economical reasons as to why these commercials are shown constantly through games, but in reality they just suck.

Flagrant Foul Classification

Sure it's not necessarily a tradition, but it's definitely a rule that should get some attention.

With the option of referees declaring an extremely hard foul as a Flagrant 1 or Flagrant 2, it leaves the in-between that really can't be classified.

If a foul is unnecessary enough for it to be flagrant in general, there should be no question of the end result. Just call it a clear flagrant and let the consequences speak for themselves.

Two free throws and possession of the ball seems fair enough, but a flagrant foul should also include the ejection of the guilty player.

Fan Commentators in the Stands

This video is by far the best thing that came out of the 2010-11 NBA season (sorry Dallas fans), but he seems like the type of guy who knows everything that is going on in the game. Not only that, but he fills your ears with worthless historical information and terrible opinions about who your team should sign or trade.

Every game has these fans, and odds are they are either in the row in front or behind you, but instead of having to spill an expensive beer "on accident" on this person, they should be sought out and ejected by security.

In reality this wont happen, but there is always hope right?

Mascots

Besides the seven or eight children who believe that a real gorilla in a Phoenix Suns jersey can jump off a trampoline and dunk a basketball, no one really cares about mascots.

Sure, the drunk fans may want to stop the Toronto Raptor and take a picture with him for a keepsake, but it honestly becomes pointless after that.

How many times have you been trying to watch a close playoff game live and you have a stupid mascot either blocking your view or demanding you get off your seats and cheer during timeouts?

What the hell?

Talk about frustrating.

Here's a quick fix: more cheerleaders in skimpier outfits.

NBA Age Rule

Name the best five players in the NBA in the last 10 years and you are likely to mention at least two who made the jump to the NBA straight out of high school.

While names like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and LeBron James have dominated in the NBA for years now, it only proves that college should be a choice, not a must.

Players like Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant, who played one year of college ball, have also shown much promise young in their respective careers.

So tell me NBA, what is your logic in making 19 the correct age for a player to enter the league?

In all honesty, it seems as if it only becomes a waste of a scholarship opportunity for many other players who would love to play four years of basketball for their school.

Celebrity Game During the All-Star Weekend

It's not cute, it's not funny and it's for sure not entertaining. Honestly, it gives no reason for Justin Bieber to ever step on the same floor as NBA legend Scottie Pippen.

Call me bitter or a buzz-kill, but seeing a bunch of B-Level celebs playing basketball will neither get any ticket buys or TV ratings from me.

How about a game with teams filled with former NBA players and legends?

Would you rather see Charles Barkley and Karl Malone one more time or Chris Tucker and his annoying antics on the court?

I'm hoping you voted on the former...

Or perhaps a better idea: Let's give some love to the "scrubs" of the NBA and let them shine.

Everyone wants to see exciting players like Brian Scalabrine and Luke Walton ball outrageously.

I think so, right...?

D-League

Do you know what the aspiring basketball players who couldn't make the team had when I was in high school?

Intramural leagues.

That's right, with a guaranteed coach who has a son on the team and at least one kid who does it just so they can put a club on their senior profile in the yearbook.

I understand the MLB has a very successful farm league in place, but not so much for the NBA.

If you can't cut it in the NBA, just go overseas like most smart players.

Nocha Latina Schedule

While the NBA doesn't have many Hispanic players currently in the league, they do have a large following from them. In fact, the Hispanic community makes up 15 percent of the NBA fanbase, according to NBA Senior Director of Hispanic Marketing Saskia Sorrosa.

How does the NBA show appreciation?

By putting "Los" or "El" in front of teams' jerseys for certain games in the month of March.

I'm sure I can speak for a lot of Hispanic fans by giving a sarcastic "thanks."

With the NFL playing games in other countries like Canada or England, the NBA should consider expanding its fanbase by heading to other countries for regular season games.

Based on the large number of NBA fans of Hispanic heritage, it would be a great and more logical way of showing appreciation to some loyal spectators, as well as gaining some more exposure along the way. 

Craig Sager

Love Kevin Garnett or not, he stands up for all NBA fans who have to witness the terrible suits that Craig Sager wears every night.

Sager doesn't give bad interviews and has been a big part of TNT's presentation for years, but the suits have to go.

If not, I say we all boycott the NBA and create our own lockout until then.

Skills Challenge

The Skills Challenge during the NBA All-Star weekend is rather, well, lame. There is no better way to decide who the NBA's best point guard is than dribbling around cones and throwing a basketball throw a hoop, right?

With Stephen Curry hoisting the trophy in 2011, it's safe to say that's false.

The All-Star Weekend has plenty of events that are more successful than this and odds are they could create new ones with more excitability.

With point guards and shooters getting their own special event, will we eventually see an event aimed towards the NBA's coveted big men?

How about a free-throw contest?

If you are smart, don't bet on Chuck Hayes for this competition.

Thanks for reading!