Berry Tramel

Thoughts from The Oklahoman Sports Columnist Berry Tramel

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook ranked seventh

May 24, 2013 There are many ways to rate NBA players. Statistically is one way. Voting is another. The all-NBA teams give us an excellent gauge of how NBA media judges players. I thought Russell Westbrook had a chance to make first-team all-NBA. I didn’t really think he’d make it — I thought Kobe would edge him out —... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Sam Presti talks community involvement

May 24, 2013 For the Friday Oklahoman, I wrote about Sam Presti and the Thunder’s connection with the city and the state, after the Thunder’s tour of the tornado-ravaged areas. You can read that column here. But Presti had a lot of extra stuff to say about the spirit of his adopted state. Read More

NBA playoffs: Roy Hibbert in or out?

May 23, 2013 Pacers coach Frank Vogel is under heavy scrutiny today for his lineup decisions in the waning moments of the Pacers-Heat game. With Indiana on defense, Vogel replaced 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert twice in the final 25 seconds of overtime. Both possessions resulted in LeBron James drives to the basket for easy layups. Read More

Big 12 baseball: Too many teams?

May 23, 2013 It’s 10:30 p.m., I’m finishing up a little work and watching the OSU-TCU baseball game in the Big 12 Tournament. It’s in the fourth inning. And it’s remarkable they’re that far along. Heavy rain deluged the Oklahoma City metro area on Thursday morning, and the Big 12 Tournament started 31/2 hours late. Read More

Moore tornado: More on Big Dog & the hug

May 23, 2013 For the Thursday Oklahoman, I wrote about the remarkable photo that Paul Hellstern shot in the moments after the Monday tornado ripped through Briarwood Elementary School. Hellstern captured the moment when Jim Routon and his 6-year-old neighbor, Hezekiah Darbon, reunited among the chaos. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: What does drafting 12th mean?

May 22, 2013 The Thunder got stuck with the No. 12 pick in the draft. There was every reason to believe this would be a much-higher pick, especially when Toronto got off to such a terrible start. But in the name of silver linings, here are a few things to digest: * At least this will help save the Thunder some money. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: More low-post scoring needed? May 22, 2013 Charles Barkley long has said the Thunder won’t win a title until it gets more low-post scoring. Says the Thunder relies on too many jumpshots. I’d say Chuck is half right. The Thunder could use more low-post scoring. But the Thunder doesn’t necessarily rely on too many jumpers. Read More

Oklahoma State football: Emails in on Mike Gundy May 22, 2013 I received a ton of emails on my Mike Gundy column in the Monday Oklahoman, which you can read here. I criticized Gundy for putting so many restrictions on Wes Lunt transferring. Here was the response: Bart: “You are probably ready to get it from both sides regarding your story on Mike Gundy’s. Read More

Moore tornado: the blog will go on May 21, 2013 Late last night, I blogged something about NBA market sizes. It was past 11 p.m. I had finished what little work I had done on the tornadoes. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m headed out for some Moore coverage. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant's relief efforts May 21, 2013 Kevin Durant on Tuesday donated $1 million to the Moore tornado relief fund. On Wednesday, Durant is taking a tour of some of the devastated areas, and I assume that means a walking tour. Durant will be out among the people. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Tibor Pleiss wait continues May 21, 2013 The Tibor Pleiss wait will continue. The 7-foot-1 German, acquired by the Thunder in the 2010 NBA draft, wrote on his blog a few weeks ago that he would remain in the EuroLeague next season. “I am in contact with Thunder GM Sam Presti and I often speak on phone with Jonny Rogers, who lives in Barcelona and he... Read More

Power Lunch: Chat with Berry Tramel May 20, 2013 Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Small markets have a chance May 20, 2013 I know the new NBA collective bargaining agreement makes it possible for the biggest markets — New York and Los Angeles — to sign players to whatever they want and not sweat the luxury tax. I know that smaller-market executives worry about the financial discrepancies. Read More

Big 12 baseball: Going back to the Big Eight days

May 20, 2013 The Big 12 baseball tournament starts Wednesday in Bricktown. Or is it the Big Eight Tournament? Oh, there’s no OU-Nebraska or OSU-Missouri games. But neither is there a Texas or a Texas A&M game. Of any kind. The Aggies have left the building, and the Longhorns have played their way out of the this... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kendrick Perkins knows about playoff injuries May 17, 2013 Kendrick Perkins was reminded Thursday that this Thunder season isn’t the first time an injury potentially cost him an NBA championship. In 2010, Perkins suffered torn knee ligaments in the first quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals. His Celtics led the Lakers three games to two, but LA won Game 6, then rallied to... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Lunch chat May 17, 2013 The Thunder conducted post-season interviews Thursday during my scheduled time for the lunch chat, so I was absent without leave. But I copied the questions and am now prepared to answer them. Thanks for holding out with me. B: Is there a big man out there the Thunder will seriously considering going after this... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Who played well vs. Memphis? May 17, 2013 The Memphis series is over, and it’s time to study some plus/minus numbers for the Thunder. Did anyone play well? The answer is yes, and some of the numbers will surprise you. For instance, no surprise that Kendrick Perkins had the worst plus/minus for the Thunder: -40. Read More

Power Lunch: Chat with Berry Tramel

May 16, 2013 Power Lunch: Chat with columnist Berry Tramel Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Analyzing Game 5

May 16, 2013 Well, it’s over, this Thunder season ending just like we knew it would, ever since Russell Westbrook’s injury. Somewhere short of the NBA Finals. I don’t know if looking back at a season-ending game matters, but if it does, here’s what I heard and saw from the Thunder’s 88-84 loss to Memphis: * I’ve... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Houston TravelBlog May 16, 2013 I’ve been derelict in my duties. I’ve been slow to post travel blogs, which some readers really like. I’m really good at it with college football, but the NBA playoffs are such a grind, I get behind. So I’ll try to do better. Starting here with Houston. We headed to Houston on April 26 for two... Read More