OKC Thunder Trivia: uncovering 50 fun, surprising and random facts

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: PJ Dozier #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to the media following the game against the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Is it truly shade or simply retribution?

In 2017, the OKC Thunder signed P.J. Dozier. The South Carolina player had gone undrafted, and the Thunder were quick to snatch him up in a two-way contract.

This didn’t turn any heads.

But when Dozier selected No. 35 for his jersey… and the Thunder organization let him… things got a bit more controversial. According to Dozier, the number wasn’t a dig at the former No. 35, Kevin Durant, who left the team on less-than-amicable terms in 2016.

PJ Dozier says he wears No. 35 for his second cousin, the late Reggie Lewis, who played for the Celtics. Also wore it in preseason w/Dallas. pic.twitter.com/JbgIzqLKB7
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) October 17, 2017

But many people found this move to be one of two things – either disrespectful or perfect. Especially since previous players have been denied similar jerseys. According to NBC Sports:

"“Many see it as a sign of disrespect to Durant, who left Oklahoma City on bad terms when signing with the Warriors. The Thunder lose deniability about not caring, considering they told Dion Waiters he couldn’t wear No. 13, which was previously worn by James Harden.”"

Although many expected P.J. Dozier to snag one of the OKC Thunder two-way contracts he ended up joining the Boston Celtics on a two-way deal. In Boston he’ll need to pick a different number because of the copious jerseys in the rafters number 35 belonged to Reggie Lewis, so it won’t be available.

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