Charlotte Hornets: 20 greatest player seasons in franchise history

19 of 21

15 Feb 2000: Eddie Jones #6 of the Charlotte Hornets moves for the ball with Bruce Bowen #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hornets defeated the 76ers 95-93. /

3. Eddie Jones, 1999-00

All-NBA Third Team
NBA All-Star
NBA All-Defensive Second Team
NBA Steals Leader (2.7 SPG)
20.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.2 APG

While he might have only spent a little over 100 games in Charlotte, Eddie Jones did put together two of the best player seasons in Hornets franchise history. His 1998-99 NBA season was split between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Hornets, coming over in the Glen Rice trade in a strike-shortened year.

Jones might have made his second of three-straight NBA All-Defensive Second Teams that winter. However, his lone full season with the Hornets in 1999-00 was something else. He made his third and final NBA All-Star Game, led the NBA in steals with 2.7 per game and made the All-NBA Third Team.

Those would be the only times in his lengthy NBA career that Jones ever led the league in pickpockets or made an All-NBA roster. Jones averaged 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists that year, shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 86.4 percent at the charity stripe.

This led to Jones having 10.1 win shares (5.4 offensive, 4.7 defensive) on the year, as well as boasting a career-best 5.2 value over replacement player. Essentially, Jones’ dominance on both sides of the ball were instrumental in him having his best professional season, thus making the most of his brief time in Charlotte.

Charlotte would make the Eastern Conference Playoffs, but would bow out in the first round to Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers in four games. That would be the end for Jones’ time in Charlotte, as he would be traded to his hometown Miami Heat in a deal with Anthony Mason for P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn.

While Brown and Mashburn had successful stints with the Hornets in both cities, Jones would never achieve the same personal success in the second half of his career with three franchises. Overall, Jones is part of the string of Hornets being traded for fellow All-Star caliber players. Though excellent with the Lakers, Jones’ best season came with the Hornets in 1999-00.

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