It’s amazing to think that the Oklahoma City Thunder, for all the high caliber players on their roster, have gone over the .500 mark just once so far this season. That was when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks late last October that gave them a 4-3 record. Since then, the Thunder either have a losing record or an even one.
And on Monday, they went back to .500 thanks to a close 95-94 home win over the Denver Nuggets. Russell Westbrook once again stuffed that stat sheet with 38 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block. All of that, however, could’ve gone to waste if it weren’t for an unlikely Thunder hero in the form of Berry Tramel of NewsOK.
No. Tramel didn’t sign an emergency contract to become the Thunder’s 12th man then proceeded to hit a game-winning jumper. He helped the Thunder in a more subtle way – by alerting the Thunder that a called 3-point shot by Nuggets shooting guard Gary Harris in the fourth quarter was actually a two-point shot because Harris’ foot was on the line.
I knew it wasn't a 3-pointer. My angle on the row behind the scorer's table was perfect to see Harris' foot, and his Nike most definitely was on the line. I was so sure, I wrote down 85-79 on my scoresheet, for sure the officials would check it later and correct the error. But I told the Thunder PR staff they ought to have it checked, and director Matt Tumbleson alerted the Thunder bench.
Tramel actually had to remind the Thunder again about asking the game’s officials to review the play because the home team’s bench apparently forgot about it.
So during that eventual timeout, when it became clear that crew chief Mauer was not coming over, I again told Tumbleson that Harris' shot was a 2-pointer. He went over and told assistant coach Darko Rajakovic that the shot hadn't been reviewed.
The timeout was almost over, and Rajakovic raced out to remind Mauer. Mauer came over, the play was shown on his screen and it took about a half-second to figure out that Harris' foot was on the line. Suddenly, the score was switched from 93-90 Denver to 92-90 Denver, and Russell Westbrook immediately nailed a 19-foot jumper to tie the game.
If at the end of this season and the Thunder barely got in the playoffs with just a game separating them from the ninth-placed team in the Western Conference standings, Oklahoma City has Tramel’s eagle-eye sharp vision to thank for.
Who needs Secaucus, New Jersey?
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