When New Orleans Hornets veteran guard Roger Mason Jr., was a rookie in 2002 with the Chicago Bulls, Hornets forward Anthony Davis was only nine-years-old and fellow current rookie Austin Rivers was 10.

With that kind of age difference, it’s understandable why Mason is drawing respect as a veteran leader among the Hornets’ two prized rookies and other younger players.

Rivers said he’s been taking heed to advice from Mason and from his father, Boston Celtics Coach Doc River

“Roger is really good at teaching our guys how to play,’’ Hornets Coach Monty Williams said “He works really hard. When you have the right kind of vets, you don’t have to coach as much on certain plays because those guys will take a young guy to the side and say this is how you do X or Y.”

via John Reid of The Times Picayune