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Oklahoma City Thunder misfortune could lead to NBA rule change

By Kenneth Teape

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 29, 2017: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 29, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 29, 2017: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a play during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 29, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder were burned by a missed call against the Milwaukee Bucks and their misfortune could lead to an NBA rule change.

The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their six-game winning streak snapped on Friday night at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Thunder fell just short of making it seven straight games, and 13 out of 15 in December, losing 97-95. However, the ending was very controversial and could lead to an NBA rule change.

With 4.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Russell Westbrook knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game. The 3-pointer was Westbrook’s 40th point of the game, as he carried the Thunder all the way back from a 22-point deficit. It looked like he would be able to add more in an extra session, but Giannis Antetokounmpo had other plans.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Antetokounmpo received a pass inside the 3-point line in the right corner. He turned, drove baseline and threw down a dunk over Westbrook to give the Bucks a two-point lead with 1.1 seconds remaining in the game.

Upon further review, it was revealed that Antetokounmpo had actually stepped out of bounds on his drive. Unfortunately for the Thunder and their fans, there was no further review.

Under the current set of NBA Replay Rules, that play was unreviewable because there was no whistle blown on the play. Hence, there was no call to review. It is an odd rule, as referees can go back and review whether a player’s foot was on the line when attempting a 3-pointer. Stepping on a line late in the game is not a reviewable call, however.

"“In any reviewable matter, there has to be a whistle called on the floor,” head official Derrick Stafford told a pool reporter after Friday’s game, a 97-95 Bucks victory. “There was no whistle blown for the play, so we couldn’t review it.”"

It was a play that robbed the Thunder of a chance to win the game. Antetokounmpo stepped out of bounds, which would have given the Thunder the ball back with enough time to attempt a shot in regulation at the very least.

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Even if the Thunder were unsuccessful in their attempt to score, they would have had a chance to win the game in overtime.

While it is a frustrating situation, some Thunder players, such as Carmelo Anthony, were taking it in stride knowing there is nothing they can do about it now.

"“I guess we’ll see something on the ticker that says referees missed that one,” Anthony said. “We can’t do nothing about that at this point, so we might as well forget about it and move on and get ready for — who we play Sunday? Dallas? Get ready for Dallas.”"

Anthony hit that one on the head. The out of bounds play was one of four plays mentioned in the two-minute report by the NBA. The two-minute report is one of the dumber things that the NBA does. Most fans know that a referee messed up while watching the game, so seeing it made official by the league the next day isn’t going to change the outcome.

Anthony wasn’t the only player to talk about the play. Josh Huestis, who was tasked with defending Antetokounmpo on the play, was putting it behind him as he knows missed calls happen and there isn’t anything that can be done about it.

"“You can’t control reffing,” Huestis said. “At the end of the day, I’m a perfectionist. I put it on myself to maybe play a little better defense and stop him from spinning baseline, period. So that’s something I take seriously, and I think I need to work on not even letting him get there in the first place. Missed calls happen. It’s not something you can control.”"

Huestis did his best to defend Antetokounmpo on the play. The Greek Freak is a budding star in the NBA and scores against the most talented of defenders. While he will be credited with a score against Huestis, anyone watching the game knows that Huestis should have been credited with forcing a turnover on Antetokounmpo.

Unfortunately, as Anthony and Huestis stated, there is nothing the team can do. However, the NBA could make a change as a result.

According to Tim Frank, a spokesperson for the league, the NBA will be looking into a solution for the matter at hand. That type of play will be added to the agenda for the meeting that will occur in March.

While that can help in the future, it will not help turn the Thunder’s fortunes around this time. They fought hard even though they were shorthanded as Paul George missed the game.

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All they can do is turn their attention to the next game against the Dallas Mavericks. George may be able to suit up for the game. Whether he can or not, you can be sure that this will be a motivated Thunder team that will want to ensure they cannot have another attempt at victory snatched away from them by the referees.

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