Looking Back: 2000s Lakers All-Decade Team
By Jacob Rude
Small Forward – Rick Fox
The revolving door that is the small forward position was next to impossible to find the best player. Rick Fox won, but it certainly wasn’t an easy choice. Fox was apart of the three-peat teams of the early 2000s, playing an integral role as the glue guy.
In fact, nearly every small forward the Lakers brought in (and subsequently shipped out) were glue guys. There was Trevor Ariza and Metta World Peace, both parts of the latter two titles won by the Lakers. However, Ariza was a one-year wonder, leaving after the 2009 title, and MWP was, for all intents and purposes, a bust. Hell, I even gave Caron Butler consideration and he played just one year for the Lakers, showing how thin the position has been.
Fox, however, manned the position for the first four years of the decade, predominantly as a starter in all the games he played. Consider him the right place at the right time type of player. If Ariza had stayed with the Lakers after the 2009 title, helping the Lakers to the 2010 title, he’s likely the man listed.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Ariza, Metta World Peace, Caron Butler