When Cody Zeller arrived in Charlotte as a first-round pick in 2013, he had the benefit of having a longtime NBA veteran as a mentor. Bobby Jones, one of the premiere defensive players of his era in the late 70s and early 80s, connected with Zeller through a mutual friend, and the two clicked immediately despite a 41-year age gap. They share many sensibilities, including an eagerness to prank friends. For the holidays, Jones sent Zeller some gag gifts, needling him about his rugged style of play.
