Q&A: Perry Jones

Courtesy of John Rohde

Have you adjusted to the rookie hazing so far?

“You just do as you're told. It's nothing difficult.”

Last year Reggie Jackson had to wear a pink backpack, a Justin Bieber backpack. The year before that, Cole Aldrich had a “Dora the Explorer” backpack. Are you ready for that possibly?

“I think I'll rock it.”

Kevin Durant reached out to you right after you got drafted and stayed in touch through text messages. How well have you gotten to know your other teammates since then?

“Everybody takes everybody under their wing. After a workout or a practice, everybody hangs out together. It's really a close-knit family here.”

As a rookie, does it make it easier to come in and play for a team that has so many young guys?

“I wouldn't say easier. You work just as hard. Guys are young, but the guys work really hard. Every single one of my teammates plays hard every time. It's something you have to adapt to, especially if you want to be a part of this team. You've got to lay it on the line.”

The Thunder needs someone who can guard power forwards on the perimeter. If you do that well, might you see getting some minutes right away?

“I hope so. I don't know. I just want to help any way I can. Even if I don't get any minutes this year, that'll be just fine.”

What position do you play? Are you a 3 or a 4?

“I'm a forward.”

Are you at all in awe of who your teammates are?

“I'm still in awe. This is pretty cool to see how much of a family they are and I'm actually part of the family.”

Have you stayed in touch with RG3 (Heisman winner Robert Griffin III from Baylor)?

“He tweeted me the other day (Sept. 24). He told me “Happy Birthday.” I told my cousin and he laughed at me. It's pretty good to know that other people out there who are also professional athletes, that we all still talk and everything.”