Dion Waiters role in the above play might have been slightly understated at first glance but once the replay came and we all saw what happened, there was not one person who could deny it. Something wild just happened.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder had a terrific contest in their game two matchup as part of their Western Conference semi-finals series but it came as a subplot to a controversial final 13.5 seconds.
What you might not have seen on the final play was Dion Waiters hitting Manu Ginobili with an elbow before he inbounded the ball.
This play resulted in a LOT of people wondering what happened and in particular anyone associated with the San Antonio Spurs but the game was over, the referees had nothing more to do.
Thankfully, a fantastic reporter in Mike Monroe took advantage of a referee being available after the game and he spoke to the crew chief, Ken Mauer.
Following from an official press release by the NBA.
NBA Crew Chief Ken Mauer met with pool reporter Mike Monroe of The Rivard Report after the game between the Thunder and Spurs in San Antonio tonight. Here is the transcript of that interview:
Question: Can you explain what you saw on the inbounds play with 13.5 seconds remaining when Dion Waiters appeared to make contact with Manu Ginobili?
Mauer: On the floor, we did not see a foul on the play. However, upon review we realize and we agree that we should have had an offensive foul on the play. It’s a play that we have never seen before, ever, but we feel we should have had an offensive foul on Waiters.
Question: Had an offensive call been made on Waiters, what rule would have applied to a foul committed before throw-in?
Mauer: An offensive foul. Possession Spurs.
So what do you think? Should this play have been a foul?
