Jones: A Defensive Star in Any Sport

An excellent defender, K.C. Jones was not the man you wanted to try and back down as Jerry Chambers of the Los Angeles Lakers found out. The NFL’s Los Angeles Rams originally drafted Jones in 1955, and after a two-year stint in the Army, Jones returned to the Rams for a tryout in 1958, fearing he wasn’t good enough to make the NBA. He played as a defensive back in a couple of preseason games, recording one interception, and may have even helped develop “bump-and-run” pass coverage. Eventually, Jones made his way to Boston. “I called Red Auerbach and asked if there was still a spot for me on the team,” he said. “Had Red said no, I would have gone back to the Rams.” On the court, Jones was described by Chambers’ teammate Jerry West as the best defender he ever faced.