Jones Survives Toughest Guards

Is it too late to switch back to small forward?

Actually, there would be no point in it now. Eddie Jones finished his run through the gantlet Tuesday night at Chicago and more than survived his first-hand look at the all-star game, getting Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, Isaiah Rider and Michael Jordan in consecutive games. Apparently the schedule-maker couldn’t fit in a quick side trip to Golden State, home of Latrell Sprewell.

“I went through the top players and I don’t want to go back,” Jones said. “I’m ready to stay at this spot now. There’s not too many players left.”

Byron Scott and others supplied some help, but Jones pulled most of the hard labor. His reward was in the box scores: Richmond was six for 17, Miller three for 15 and Rider, though playing 35 minutes off the bench, four for five. And while Jordan had 30 points, he was only 10 for 32 from the field.

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The decision Monday to waive Trevor Wilson may have stemmed at least in part from the NBA’s attempt this season to make the injured list strictly for the injured, unlike the common practice of the past where teams would stash projects while giving them experience in practice.

Wilson had said he would stay there even after the tendinitis in his left knee had improved because he wanted to remain in his hometown and with the Lakers, that he wouldn’t push either to be activated or waived when sound so he could play somewhere, but the call was made for him.

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Just in case the Lakers want to do some advance planning:

The rematch with the Bulls is Feb. 5 at the Forum.