<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ask the 76ers' newest Bobby Jones whether he knows that the team used to employ another player named Bobby Jones and his eyebrows will arch in mock surprise and he'll say in a teasing manner, "Is that right?" "I've heard of every possible Bobby Jones there is in the world," said Jones, a 6-foot-7 forward and one of two second-round picks the Sixers acquired at last month's NBA draft. But it wasn't until last week, when Jones was packing to leave his apartment at the University of Washington and head to Philadelphia, that he finally comprehended the connection with his namesake, who played with the Sixers from 1978 through 1986 and whose jersey hangs from the Wachovia Center rafters. In November, Jones received an autographed picture of the Sixers' Bobby Jones from his team's pastor, who told him it went unsold at a charity auction. He kept it in his room and noticed it again last week as he prepared to move. "I saw it and thought about it, and I was, like, 'This dude's picture has been in my room the whole time,' " Jones said. "I guess the signs were around me. I just didn't look around. So things have been working out. "People say I play like him a lot. I play hard, I run the court, I play defense. That's a great compliment to have. He's retired, and whenever you're getting compared to somebody that's retired, it's always a good thing." With the Sixers placing much more focus on the defensive end for the coming season, Jones is a guy they will put in the mix if he can transfer to the next level the talents that got him chosen 37th in the draft. "He's good in a lot of areas," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said after yesterday morning's session of the team's rookie and free-agent minicamp at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "When you put him on the floor in scrimmages, you know you're going to get a lot of hustle and a lot of defense. He does a lot of the little things that you need... offensive rebounds, coming up with a steal here and there. I think those are the types of things that got him here." People who do the little things aren't always noticed. At Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif., Jones was overshadowed by teammate Tyson Chandler, who is now entering his sixth NBA season. In college, all-American Brandon Roy got most of the publicity with the Huskies and was chosen No. 6 in the NBA draft. Jones got his share of attention for his defense rather than his 9.8-point career scoring average, especially as Washington reached the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament. "It shows that you don't have to be a leading scorer to help your team win games and get you noticed," Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar said in a telephone interview. "A long time ago, Bobby understood what it took to win basketball games. He does what it takes. He embraces his role and flourishes in it. "The Philadelphia fans will see someone that has no regard for his body. He's going to do everything that is humanly possible to help his team win games. He'll jump over the scorer's table to get a loose ball. He'll guard a guy who's 6-9 and 230. He'll hit the big three. He's going to do whatever it takes." Sounds a bit like the Bobby Jones remembered by veteran Sixers fans. </div> link: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/15017056.htm
Hmm, I could have sworn I read this article a couple weeks ago, but judging by the article date it must have been a different one. I am excited to see Jones play next year. I did not get to see much of him in college I think I only caught one game with him playing (Illinois/Washington) his reputation precedes him, and I hope he lives up to his billing.
