The similarities don't end there, as both Jones and Bryant also shared a common Philadelphia area interest, and a striking physical resemblance to each other illustrated in the photo above.
Jones attended Temple University in Philadelphia and was drafted by the Lakers with the 10th pick in the 1994 NBA draft.
Jones was a highly skilled, versatile shooting guard who was fundamentally sound, and had a game that was mature beyond his years.
Jones was already a key member of the Lakers roster when former general manager Jerry West initiated the series of moves that would culminate with the free agency signing of Shaquille O'Neal and the acquisition of Bryant
Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the 1996 draft, and then later shipped to Los Angeles for center Vlade Divac.
Although Jones would hang around a few more seasons and provide much-needed mentoring to the young Bryant, his tenure as a Laker effectively ended when Bryant arrived in Hollywood.
Some people questioned West for choosing a player with nearly the same exact skill set as Jones, but West must have seen something special in Bryant that separated him as a player.
During his time in Los Angeles, Jones garnered a huge fan following from his hustle, work ethic and talent on the court, and there were some fans who refused to see the handwriting on the wall.
After all, Jones was an above-average shooting guard, and Bryant was an untested high school phenom whose brash nature was in stark contrast to Jones' humble persona.
But, even though Bryant and Jones' styles were similar, it didn't take long to realize that Bryant was the more talented player, and it was only a mat...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
