The Extender Got The Call: Scott Foster Magically Returns From A 2 Month Injury Absence To Work Game 2 Between The Nuggets And Thunder

Garrett Ellwood. Getty Images.

If there's one thing the NBA can't seem to get away from, it's how much they lean into the WWE bit and their refs. I'm not sure why they continue to feed this beast, but they love it. Sure, perhaps you're of the belief that it's all random and nothing fishy is ever going on, but to that I'd say grow up Peter Pan, Count Chocula and start paying attention. 

This is relevant of course, because of a certain selection that got the nod to work tonight's crucial Game 2 between DEN/OKC. After the Nuggets shocked the world and somehow pulled out a Game 1 win, it now made Game 2 about as close to a must win as you can get in this situation for the Thunder, and really the league as a whole. You're telling me they wouldn't love 7 games of this matchup? Of course they would! 

So, what do you do to help your chances of getting it? You make the call

What a coincidence that Scott Foster has magically healed just in time for this pivotal Game 2! I get why people might be tired of this narrative when it comes to NBA refs, but it exists for a reason. There is no worse feeling on the planet than being a fan entering a huge game and seeing that guys like Tony Brothers and Scott Foster are working your game (David Guthrie is also quickly making a case of his own). 

It's no secret why Foster has earned his "The Extender" nickname. That didn't just appear out of thin air. This is the same guy who also clearly has a beef with Chris Paul that impacts his officiating, so it's not exactly a stretch to think he got put on this game to help keep the series alive. It might not be obvious, but given the history, you can't ignore it.

Maybe that's SGA living at the line. Maybe that's guys like Jokic or Murray having to deal with no calls on one end that are fouls on the other. The point is, you have to respect the NBA for leaning into the WWE bit by assigning Foster to this game. They give zero fucks about what it does to their product or how it's talked about. Adam Silver has made it very clear he does not give a shit about his officiating problem, so a move like this is right out of their playbook.

Now, if you're the Nuggets, you have to ignore this. Don't let it get into your head because once you do, OKC will bury you. It's not like things are now impossible for the Nuggets, but they need to stay away from 50/50 calls and play smart because if there's a call up for debate, it wouldn't shock me if Foster leans a certain way.

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The solution to all of this stuff would be to simply not award these guys playoff games. Foster, Brothers, Guthrie etc. Unfortunately, that's never going to happen. It's been like 30 years of this stuff so that's not changing anytime soon, which means this narrative will live on forever. 

Not exactly what I imagine Adam Silver wants heading into such a massive playoff game, but I mean, what does he expect?