Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones

Free agent
Shooting guard
Born	October 20, 1971 (1971-10-20) (age 38) Pompano Beach, Florida
Nationality	USA
Listed height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
League	NBA
High school	Blanche Ely High School
College	Temple
Draft	10th overall, 1994 Los Angeles Lakers
Pro career	1994–present
Former teams	Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999) Charlotte Hornets (1999–2000) Miami Heat (2000–2005) Memphis Grizzlies (2005–2007) Miami Heat (2007) Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008)
Awards	3-time All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000) All-NBA Third Team 2000 2-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team 1-time NBA Steals leader 1994–1995 Rookie Challenge MVP
Profile	Info Page

Eddie Charles Jones (born October 20, 1971 in Pompano Beach, Florida) is a former American professional basketball player. Jones played college basketball at Temple University and was the 1993–94 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. A 3-time NBA All-Star, he was selected 10th overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA career

Los Angeles Lakers

In his rookie season for the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 14.0 points per game and 2.05 steals per game, and played in 64 games, 58 of which he started. He also led the NBA in steal/turnover ratio (1.75), placed 4th in the NBA Rookie of the Year ballot, and was on the 1994–95 NBA All-Rookie First Team. In the 94–95 All-Star weekend Rookie Challenge he won the MVP, posting a game-high 25 points, 6 steals, and 4 rebounds. Jones would become an integral part of the Lakers squad, along with Nick Van Exel and Cedric Ceballos.

After his second season, Jones switched from number 25 to 6, as the Lakers had retired 25 for Gail Goodrich. He selected 6 as growing up he was a fan of Julius Erving. Eddie spent his first five seasons with the Lakers, two of which included a trip to the NBA All-Star Game, in 1996–97 and 1997–98. Known for his pesky defense, Jones was named to the 1997–98 and 1998–99 NBA All-Defensive Second Team, in a competitive late 1990s field.

Charlotte Hornets

However, he and Elden Campbell were traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Glen Rice, J. R. Reid and B. J. Armstrong on March 10, 1999. This was intended to free up the floor with better three point shooting from Glen Rice.^{[citation needed]} Jones was a mentor for Bryant during his time with the Lakers, as both had ties to the Philadelphia area, with Jones having attended Temple University and Bryant having attended Lower Merion High School near Philadelphia. Jones was missed by Laker fans following the trade, and the chants of "EDDIE, EDDIE!" were unmistakable during home games in seasons afterwards.

Eddie's following campaign with the Hornets, 1999–2000, was his finest statistically, when he averaged 20.1 points, 2.7 steals (1st that season), 4.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Jones was also voted to start at guard for the East All-Stars, took the Hornets to the playoffs, and was Third Team All-NBA. Jones became a free agent after the season, and talked with the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic, but wanted to play for his hometown of Miami.

Miami Heat (Grizzlies and return)

After re-signing with the Hornets, he was traded with Anthony Mason to the Miami Heat for Jamal Mashburn and PJ Brown. He played consistently at both ends of the floor, and led the Heat to the 2001 playoffs following the absence of Alonzo Mourning. He averaged 18.5 points per game in the 2002–2003 season, his best with Miami. Over 2003–04, Jones continued to generate his usual output, but his role altered as players like Caron Butler and Lamar Odom also starred for the Heat. As Dwyane Wade blossomed in 2004–05, Eddie saw his scoring output dip to 12.7 points per game. After five seasons, Jones was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies for James Posey and Jason Williams on August 2, 2005 in a record five-team, thirteen-player trade. On January 30, 2007, Jones was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.^[1] On February 1, 2007, Jones signed a minimum contract for his second stint with the Miami Heat, playing increasing minutes after Dwyane Wade's shoulder injury.^[2]

Dallas Mavericks

After the 2006–07 season ended, Eddie Jones became an unrestricted free agent. On August 3, 2007 Jones agreed to a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. According to the Dallas Morning News, the 35-year-old Jones was expected to take a physical in Dallas on August 6, 2007 and then officially sign with the team. The paper also reported that Jones will make $1.83 million in the first year of the deal.^[3] This was confirmed on August 6, 2007, as the Mavericks signed Jones, but did not disclose terms of the deal.

Indiana Pacers

On October 10, 2008, it was announced that Eddie Jones was traded to the Indiana Pacers.^[4]

After being traded to the Pacers, Eddie Jones had his contract renegotiated which will enable him to pursue playing for another team or retire. On October 16, 2008 he was released from the Pacers in order for them to free up cap room. ^[5]

Media and endorsements

This biographical section needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2009) (Find sources: Eddie Jones (basketball) – news, books, scholar)

Jones appeared in a comical Taco Bell commercial that features several people who were related to the Lakers organization at the time. The commercial focuses on Shaquille O'Neal suffering from Taco Neck Syndrome. Along with Michael Finley, Jones appeared in a commercial for the Air Jordan XVI.

Jones was the cover athlete for the 989 Sports basketball game NBA ShootOut '97. He was also one of the original players chosen to endorse Air Jordan, and wears the "Jordan XI". Jones appeared on the sitcom In the House.

On June 8, 2009, Eddie Jones was featured in the Spike TV show called Pros vs. Joes. As one of the pros, he was teamed with Shawn Kemp and Ron Harper.

NBA career statistics

Jones currently ranks 6th all-time in career three-point field goals made, with 1,546. He is also 21st all-time in career steals, with 1,620.

Regular season

Playoffs

Notes

External links

• NBA.com profile
• YouTube clip of dunks in Jones's rookie season
• Summary from "Maxwell Said Knock You Out"
• Jordan XVI commercial
• Taco Bell commercial