Round #2/ Pick 79: Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones is the BPA (Best Player Available) as WELL as the best pairing with Shaq. WOW, a double whammy. I'm going to list Eddie's accomplishments; follow it up with his stats; than detail my team plans.
Team BobboFitos:
PG -
SG - Eddie Jones
SF -
PF -
C - Shaquille O'Neal
Eddie Jones is a 14 year active veteran, standing 6'6 and weighing ~190. A member of 3 All-Star teams (1997 - 25 yrs old, 1998 - 26 yrs old, 2000 - 28 yrs old). A member of 3 All-Defensive teams (1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00) and 1 All-NBA team (1990-00).
Eddie Jones cames into the NBA at the age of 23 where he put up a PER of 16.3. Not too shabby, except we don't count that. Want continued excellence? His following seasons...
17.0, 17.3, 18.0, 18.5, 19.9, 18.8, 17.5, 18.9, 16.7. His career PER, which includes his decline, is 16.7.
Eddie Jones has a clean bill of health, as well - from the age of 24 to 34, he missed a
combined 54 games (Or fewer than 6 games/year).
Eddie has a career ORtg of 111 and DRtg of 103, peaking at an astounding
97 2000-2001. He's had 8 (!) seasons of double digit offensive win shares, and 6 (!) seasons of double digit defensive win shares. Career +92.0 WSAA.
For more conventional stat users, Eddie boasts a career per 36 min mark of 15.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.1 APG. (Only 1.7 TOPG and 1.8 SPG - he creates more TOs then he himself commits, which is a HUGE plus) His best season, @28 yrs old, saw him put up 20.1/4.8/4.2.
Eddie is a terrific shooter, to boot - career 37.3% 3pt shooter and 80.9% FT shooter, has a career 55.4% TS mark. Interestingly, he's 2nd among active players in 3-pt Field Goals made. (Behind Ray Allen, obviously)
Alright, lets move into how he fits in with Shaq. First, I haven't even decided the direction of my team - with a young Shaq and high-flying Eddie, I could go small since both players run the floor very well - I could go big, since Eddie can play the 2 or 3 (and guard both) with ease. I can slow it down, grind it out, since both have played in systems (ie. the Heat) that featured a half court offense. Shaq thrives with shooters around him, and luckily I have one of the best on my team!
Further, people have argued, "what wins ballgames, defense or offense?". I say - "both". Superior balance. With Shaq (best offensive big man force in the game ever, and one of the best defensive bigs as well) I have coupled Eddie, who is a superior 2nd option and incredibly valuable perimeter defender. So, I am going to try to have the best offensive
AND defensive efficiency.
It's worth noting as well, Eddie is one of the most low-profile, hard-working types, which for my team is important, since I want Shaq to know he's the man. (And not have to ever worry he's not) Eddie will accept his role as the 2nd option gladly and play with his heart. Eddie will likely take my technical foul shots over Shaq ATM, too
Steroid Boy, you sir are on the clock.