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Berry Tramel, a lifelong Oklahoman, sports fan and newspaper reader, joined The Oklahoman in 1991 and has served as beat writer, assistant sports editor, sports editor and columnist.

Tramel grew up reading four daily newspapers — The Oklahoman, the Oklahoma City Times, the Norman Transcript and the Oklahoma Journal — and entered the newspaper business at the age of 17, with the Transcript in 1978. His first game assignment was the Lexington-Elmore City high school football game, and he has enjoyed the journey ever since, from high school wrestling duals and regional track meets to Orange Bowls and the NBA playoffs.

Tramel was born and raised in Norman, Okla. He and his wife, Tricia, were married in 1980 and live in Norman near their daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters.

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Oklahoma City Thunder: The time has come for OKC's young players

May 18, 2013 The Thunder for next season has committed $66.119 million in salary. And that's for 10 players. No Kevin Martin, no Derek Fisher, no DeAndre Liggins and no rookie gleaned from a lottery pick. So don't expect a splashy free agent signing come July. Or even a ripple. 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

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: 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

Why the clock is ticking on the Thunder

May 16, 2013 COMMENTARY — While OKC's core players are still young, every year that passes means the championship window inches closer to the sill. 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

Oklahoma City Thunder: Amnesty Kendrick Perkins?

May 16, 2013 The question of the day in Thunderville shifts to Kendrick Perkins. Will the Thunder consider cutting Perk through the amnesty clause of the new collective bargaining agreement. Jon Hamm is a reader and an Oklahoman who is a contributor t0 Larry Coon’s website that tries to decipher the NBA’s collective... 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: How OKC 'showed the heart of a champion'

May 16, 2013 COMMENTARY — The Thunder looked dead twice in Game 5 Wednesday night. Then Memphis' Tony Allen threw in the towel (OK, T-shirt) — and Oklahoma City didn't. Read More

OKC Thunder Report Card: Kevin Durant gets a 'C' for OKC's final game

May 15, 2013 The Thunder played uphill the last three quarters, lost 88-84 to Memphis, and the grades reflect it. Read More

Memphis' Quincy Pondexter says he would have made Game 1 shot if not for foul May 15, 2013 Q&A — Memphis coach Lionel Hollins designed a potential game-tying, last-second shot in Game 1 for reserve Quincy Pondexter. Pondexter talks about what would have happened if he'd gotten that shot off without being fouled and being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Read More

Big 12: Kansas State's magical year May 15, 2013 Kansas State leads the Big 12 baseball race with only weekend left in the season, and the Wildcats have a healthy lead. The only way KSU doesn’t win the conference is if OU sweeps three games from K-State. If KSU wins just one of three, it secures at least a tie for the title, with OSU or West Virginia needing to... Read More

NBA: Oklahoman Sam Hinkie handed 76er reins May 15, 2013 The Thunder got the opening tip of overtime in Game 4 in Memphis, and I immediately thought of Sam Hinkie. Hinkie, 35, is the new president and general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. He comes from Marlow High School; Stephens County is one of Oklahoma’s more hoops-deprived counties. Pontotoc County it... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Could Reggie Jackson be the next James Harden?

May 14, 2013 Kevin Martin stepped into James Harden’s role this season for the Thunder. Reggie Jackson stepped into Russell Westbrook’s role this posteason for the Thunder. But Jackson next season might step into Harden’s/Martin’s role. If Martin doesn’t re-sign with the Thunder, the Thunder will be in need of a... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Evaluating the James Harden trade in a new light

May 14, 2013 COMMENTARY — The Thunder's decision to trade James Harden worked fine, until Russell Westbrook got hurt. Critics who insist Sam Presti should have played out this season with Harden have new ammunition. Here's why they're still off base. Read More

Thunder notebook: Memphis has been living at the line

May 14, 2013 Memphis ranked 16th in the NBA in free-throw attempts at 21.3 per game during the regular season, but is leading all playoff teams in attempts at 31.9 per game. Meanwhile, the Thunder was second during the regular season at 26.8 attempts, but is eighth in the postseason at 24.4. The Grizzlies have taken 20 more... Read More

Q&A: Memphis' Tony Allen talks about Game 4

May 14, 2013 Grizzlies' defensive ace helped Memphis come back to beat the Thunder and take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Western Conference playoff series. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: Analyzing Game 4

May 14, 2013 The Thunder is one loss away from season’s end. Memphis beat the Thunder 103-97 in overtime Monday night to take total command of the Western Conference semifinal series. Here’s what I saw and heard: * Memphis’ defensive plan on Kevin Durant clearly is working. It seems to come down to this. 1. Use... Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC's season in serious jeopardy after Game 4 loss