Garrett Haviland embarked on this journey as a superfan of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has become a popular member of the Paycom Center community, earning the nickname that he wears proudly: “Thundor.” Dazzle has drawn the attention of fans and players alike to home games and now is a vital part of a flashy and colorful costume that resembles Jack Black’s “Nacho Libre.” His own incomparable style of fun and pandemonium!
Haviland doesn’t miss about 95% of Thunder’s home games. His series of bizarre acts has thus far turned him into a charming phenomenon amongst players and fellow fans alike. He typically dances behind the basket wearing a mask. With each foot strike he releases his signature “WHOOP,” peppering with “yoo-hoos” and a full-body SHAAKEZZZ that radiates good vibes. His goal is simple: distract opposing players during free throw attempts. Players all over the league have been scarred by his no-look dimes. Haviland recalls his initial breakthrough with Denver Nuggets center Kenyon Martin.
Over this time, Haviland has created a tradition of having his chest painted annually by more than 40 artists. With these designs, some of which take two hours to apply, Davidson has become a truly mobile work of art himself. On each game day, Haviland sees a serious metamorphosis. He transforms into Thundor in the bathroom of a Love’s gas station, going full Clark Kent as he prepares to become Thundor and get ready for his game day persona.
I would process this by taking off my shirt and doing belly paints. I just ramped it up year by year. Putting it into practice This strategy was key in helping me identify the distractions that were most effective at improving focus. Haviland explained. His costume, which can sometimes be made for as little as $5, has become a regular fixture at Thunder games. It’s become such an important part of his life that it excites him.
Fans constantly stop Haviland on the street for pictures, captivated by his colorful style and over-the-top personality. He averages between 7,000 to 9,000 steps per game, moving around the arena to interact with fans and execute his routines. His ever-lively antics have even drawn laughs from players in return. Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero’s flabbergasted reaction to Haviland’s chest painting went instantly viral with the star rookie mouthing, “What the hell?”
While this uniqueness is often celebrated and has made Haviland a source of entertainment, her journey has not always been easy. He candidly reflects on the bullying he faced as a child, stating, “When I was a kid, of course I got bullied… my defense mechanism was humor. I would make jokes at my own expense to try to deflect from the bullies.” Fully body positive, he brings his full weight to every game to ensure that they are filled with laughter, wonder, and joy.
“What’s life worth living if I can’t make others laugh and have a good time?” he posed, encapsulating the motivation behind his vibrant persona. Haviland knows that sometimes a single laugh can change the course of a game. “Who’s to say that the one time that I make a player laugh or lose concentration they miss that free throw? That might be the point that decides the game, right?”
For some players, it may be easy to pass over his antics as they focus on their tasks. Haviland delights in creating a purpose for each encounter. As you can read, he’s been able to enjoy the laughter he creates. Just as much, he enjoys the perfectly understandable confusion he creates among fans and players. “I’m sure people look at me like, ‘Oh, dude, that guy just crapped himself,’” he joked about how audiences perceive his outrageous antics.
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