FRIDAY FLASHBACK - EDDIE JONES The departure of Eddie Jones was supposed to open up more room for Kobe Bryant. But the two had developed such a nice on-court chemistry that looking back, it wasn’t really necessary. Jones was always a low-key guy, never completely comfortable in the spotlight. Because of this, he fit in nicely next to the Lakers stars. At the time, the Jones trade was the culmination of a long odyssey. Glen Rice was supposed to give the Lakers the push they needed, put everyone in their right place and align the ship towards a title. Not everyone knew it at the time, but Rice was on his last legs. The Lakers gave up an All-Star defensive swingman – a nearly perfect fit on their team – for a one-dimensional 31-year-old playing on fumes. After the trade, Jones would go on to have his best all-around years in Charlotte and Miami, averaging at least 17 a game until 2004. He made one more All-Star team, and contributed on a couple of deep playoff runs. Meanwhile, Rice helped win the Lakers a title the following season before being unceremoniously shipped out because he complained about sitting down in fourth quarters, while his wife ripped into Phil Jackson. Jackson realized Rice was on his last legs, and as a terrible defender to begin with, he was taking up minutes that should’ve been going to Rick Fox. Soon, the man was gone for Horace Grant. #LakersSire25 #WWLG4L
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 00:35:43 +0000
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