One of the most bizarre moments of the NBA season occurred on Tuesday night when Alex Caruso of the Thunder made a desperate play on the ball — with his shoe.
Alex Caruso blocked a shot with his shoe, and you’ll absolutely believe what happened next
This was one of those brain-fart moments, as Caruso later told The Oklahoman. His shoe came off during the defensive play, and he was holding it in his hand waiting to put it back on — but when Tristan Da Silva came driving the lane towards without opposition, he made a lunge at the ball, which just so happened to be with his hand holding the shoe. Caruso knew he was holding his shoe, but just wanted to make a stop.
“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.”
If you’re wondering whether or not it’s legal to swat the ball away with a shoe: No, absolutely not. Caruso was hit with a technical foul for an illegal defensive move, and the shot attempt was ruled as goaltending. Believe it or not, the NBA does not have specific rules for blocking a shot with a shoe.
I think Caruso is being generous when he says this play “probably won’t happen for another 10 years,” because I don’t think we’re going to see the shoe block ever again.
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