⌕/
Eddie Jones · Consistently chronicled in NBA lore through descriptive words including “Showtime,” “Lake Show,” and most importantly, “NBA champions,” the Los Angeles Lakers — having seen enough after successive seasons of sub-.500 basketball — dedicated the No. 10 pick to avoiding the ghost of a different term: “mediocrity.” Supplied with their earliest pick since 1982, Southern California was reasonably left to wonder just how quickly Eddie Jones’ impact would arrive. Ask the Dallas Mavericks on April 16, 1995, and they’ll tell you: far too quickly. Positioned to put his patented hustle and athleticism on illustration after his teammate’s length-of-the-floor pass introduces a 3-on-1, Jones times his stride flawlessly, power-stepping his way into an acrobatic, two-handed reverse flush. Beginning to rediscover his mojo following a shoulder injury that sidelined him for over a month, Jones proved vital in a win that helped strengthen Los Angeles’ grip on the Western Conference’s No. 5 seed in the season’s final week. Among the high points during a promising Year One that offered both a No. 4 finish in the Rookie of the Year race and a sixth-place ranking in steals per game, Jones accumulated 26 points (on 9-of-14 shooting), eight rebounds, four steals, and one 3-pointer. · State of Mint · State of Mint