Questions have been raised about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s highly physical defensive system. However, did the officials let Alex Caruso slide away with a lesser punishment when they took on the Orlando Magic tonight? In a hilarious moment, the former Lakers guard blocked a shot with his shoe. Caruso didn’t think it would warrant a technical foul.

“I didn’t know it was going to be a goaltending and a tech. If I would’ve known that, I probably wouldn’t have done it because it’s three points,” said Caruso. At the same time, while holding his size 13 shoe, something inside Alex Caruso told him to go for the defensive play. In all fairness, it was clean contact with the ball.

But although well executed, Alex Caruso wasn’t aware of the protocol in such situations. The Thunder’s defensive stalwart let his intrusive thoughts win. It produced a moment that the 32-year-old feels won’t be happening in the NBA anytime soon.

“As soon as I had my shoe in my hand, it crept in my mind to use it. Not like in a malicious way, but like ‘Let me try to make a play to stop the ball.’ It’s just one of those weird NBA plays that probably won’t happen for like another 10 years,” he said.

Nonetheless, it didn’t take away from a night of celebration for the Thunder. They became the first team in the West to secure a playoff spot, beating the Magic 113-108. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40-piece led the way for OKC, giving them their 10 straight win. Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell combined for 36 points as well.

Alex Caruso had a relatively quiet night. He only scored 2 points, but didn’t disappoint with his effort. Caruso grabbed 8 rebounds and generated two steals. His +19 plus/minus was the highest mark of any Thunder player. With that being said, serious questions are being raised on whether the Thunder star should have been allowed to continue.

Alex Caruso faces criticism from a legend and his teammate

Alex Caruso didn’t regret trying to be creative. His intention wasn’t to use the shoe for any other purpose but to get the stop. It’s illegal, which explains the punishment. However, NBA legend Eddie Johnson felt like the officials shouldn’t have allowed the Thunder guard to continue.

“That should have been an ejection,” he wrote on X.

Similarly, in a less serious criticism, Caruso’s teammate Jalen Williams also chimed in on the situation. He posted the play on his Instagram story. “Should have ejected him on the spot,” Williams wrote, terming the play as ‘not ethical’. Well, Alex Caruso came to his own defense for the second time. “All. Ball,” he wrote on his Instagram.

But in all seriousness, there may be a reason Alex Caruso wasn’t thrown out of the game. It could have endangered the incoming player had the shoe not struck the ball. Hence, Johnson isn’t wrong to feel the way he does. It’s possible that the officials gave Caruso the benefit of the doubt because of his approach.

He wasn’t trying to hurt any player, and neither did he actually strike any player with his shoe. It met the criteria for a technical foul since the Thunder star created an advantage by using his shoe. Had it impeded the player with contact, it’s highly possible Alex Caruso wouldn’t have featured in the game from that point on.

Do you think the refs made a fair call? Let us know your views in the comments below.