Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best shooting guards in team history

By Amaar Burton

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 16: Kobe Bryant #8 and Eddie Jones #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk against the Dallas Mavericks during a preseason game on October 16, 1996 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 16: Kobe Bryant #8 and Eddie Jones #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk against the Dallas Mavericks during a preseason game on October 16, 1996 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. Eddie Jones (1994-99)

Eddie Jones was so good for the Los Angeles Lakers that he kept Kobe Bryant on the bench for two seasons and earned two All-Star selections in the process. Jones was often compared to Michael Cooper, except that in addition to his elite defense, Jones was also a legitimate scoring threat.

Jones was the No. 10 pick in the 1994 draft, a big part of the post-“Showtime” rebuilding effort after the last links to the 1980s dynasty were leaving. Jones was a full-time starter by the time Kobe arrived in L.A., and over the next two seasons, E.J. averaged 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

As a result, Kobe had to start his career as a backup and didn’t crack the starting lineup until his third season.

In four and a half seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jones was a two-time All-Star and an All-Defensive Second Team pick.

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After he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1999 (part of the Glen Rice deal), Jones picked up another All-Star nod and two more All-Defensive nods. He was also Third Team All-NBA and led the league in steals in 1999-2000.

The Lakers made the playoffs in each of Jones’ four full seasons, getting as far as the Western Conference Finals in 1998.

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