Top 5 Lakers Small Forwards

Written by Daniel Buerge on 09/17/2009 in Editorials - 24 Comments

As we move to the front line in our Lakers Nation Top 5 Lists, we find some of the more unappreciated, yet crucial members of Lakers teams past. The Top 5 Lakers Small Forwards list could be organized a variety of different ways, however we here at LN kept true to form, allowing championship bling to play the deciding role.

BRENTWOOD, CA - AUGUST 9: NBA player Rick Fox of the L.A. Lakers attends the funeral service of Los Angeles Lakers Broadcaster Chick Hearn at the St. Martin of Tours Church in Brentwood, California on August 9, 2002. Hearn died at the age of 85 and was the only Lakers broadcaster in the team's 42 year history in Los Angeles. (Photo by Robert Mora/ Getty Images)

5. Rick Fox

Rick Fox is one of the more recent Lakers players to make one of our lists thus far. Fox was a key starter for the Lakers during the early 2000′s, winning 3 NBA Championships during the three-peat era of 2000-2004. While Fox’s PPG never hit double digits during those years, it wasent his scoring which kept him in the starting rotation. It was his defensive ability coupled with playing the role of enforcer which proved critical for the Lakers during the last dynasty. Fox notoriously did many things well, but nothing exceptional, a true jack of all trades and the ultimate role player.

What do you think Lakers Nation? Agree, disagree? Who would you move around? Sound off in the comments section below!

Next: Jamaal Wilkes

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About the Author

Daniel is the editor-in-chief for Lakers Nation. He's always doing his best to keep you informed and entertained. Follow Daniel on Twitter - @DanielBuerge_LA.

Comments

comments

Daniel

I guess I will get the ball rolling here, but who were the honorable mentions that might be able to overtake Fox on this list?
Does Fox deserve to be above someone like Horry? Or is Horry considered a PF?
Daniel

I guess I will get the ball rolling here, but who were the honorable mentions that might be able to overtake Fox on this list?
Does Fox deserve to be above someone like Horry? Or is Horry considered a PF?
http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

I think Horry is a PF, so maybe we will see him on that list .

I do agree LO could end up surpassing Fox before too long though!
http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

I think Horry is a PF, so maybe we will see him on that list .

I do agree LO could end up surpassing Fox before too long though!
KindSir

I think Elgin should be ahead of Pollard.
KindSir

I think Elgin should be ahead of Pollard.
Jay Dholakia

Hey guys,
Im Jay. Anyway, I think this season is gonna be a lot of fun. U know why? Because we have KLARD on our team. Kobe, Lamar, Andrew, Ron, and Derek. What more can u ask for? I think this might be the best team yet. We cant forget about PASS either. Pau, Adam, Shannon and Sasha. THE LAKER MIGHT WANNA MAKE ROOM FOR ANOTHER TROPHY. PHIL MIGHT WANNA GET ANOTHER FINGER, too. HOW IS HE GONNA FIT THE 11th RING ON JUST 10 FINGERS. Good luck for a great season and hope to be a part of the fun. LA might want to raise money for another parade!!
Thanks,
Jay Dholakia
Jay Dholakia

Hey guys,
Im Jay. Anyway, I think this season is gonna be a lot of fun. U know why? Because we have KLARD on our team. Kobe, Lamar, Andrew, Ron, and Derek. What more can u ask for? I think this might be the best team yet. We cant forget about PASS either. Pau, Adam, Shannon and Sasha. THE LAKER MIGHT WANNA MAKE ROOM FOR ANOTHER TROPHY. PHIL MIGHT WANNA GET ANOTHER FINGER, too. HOW IS HE GONNA FIT THE 11th RING ON JUST 10 FINGERS. Good luck for a great season and hope to be a part of the fun. LA might want to raise money for another parade!!
Thanks,
Jay Dholakia
pslakerfan

Pollard ahead of Elgin Baylor??? Are you kidding me.

Random rare trivia…..Name the 4 highest scoring players in NBA history per 48 minutes in their careers.

Answer.

1 Jordan
2 Kobe
3 West
4 Baylor (and he played most of his career with #3)

Jim Pollard? Come on, he must be your uncle.
pslakerfan

Pollard ahead of Elgin Baylor??? Are you kidding me.

Random rare trivia…..Name the 4 highest scoring players in NBA history per 48 minutes in their careers.

Answer.

1 Jordan
2 Kobe
3 West
4 Baylor (and he played most of his career with #3)

Jim Pollard? Come on, he must be your uncle.
pslakerfan

And just to add to my comment above.

Baylor was selected one of the 50 greatest players of all time.
Pollard, not on the list.

Bleacher report has Baylor as #3 all time Small Forward in NBA history behind Bird and Havlicek. Way ahead of Worthy by the way.

How can he be #3 all time Small Forward, but be #3 Laker on your list?

(His shortcomings as a GM, don’t count against him here, do they?)

Here are the career stats of Baylor, Worthy, and Pollard, in no particular order.

(seasons as a Laker, points, rebounds, assists)

12/17/5/3
7/14/8/3
14/27/13/4

Which player looks like the best Laker? Hint, it’s not #1 or #2.
pslakerfan

And just to add to my comment above.

Baylor was selected one of the 50 greatest players of all time.
Pollard, not on the list.

Bleacher report has Baylor as #3 all time Small Forward in NBA history behind Bird and Havlicek. Way ahead of Worthy by the way.

How can he be #3 all time Small Forward, but be #3 Laker on your list?

(His shortcomings as a GM, don’t count against him here, do they?)

Here are the career stats of Baylor, Worthy, and Pollard, in no particular order.

(seasons as a Laker, points, rebounds, assists)

12/17/5/3
7/14/8/3
14/27/13/4

Which player looks like the best Laker? Hint, it’s not #1 or #2.
http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

We tried to give Pollard some respect as many do not know what a great NBA player/ All time great Laker he was. This guy has the rings to prove it, and along with Mikan made up one of the first great dynasties. It was a throw back to the old school and Elgin is also an amazing SF, but we had to give Pollard the nod.

As written at the top, we gave alot of weight to championship rings while a Laker.
http://www.lakersnation.com Ryan

We tried to give Pollard some respect as many do not know what a great NBA player/ All time great Laker he was. This guy has the rings to prove it, and along with Mikan made up one of the first great dynasties. It was a throw back to the old school and Elgin is also an amazing SF, but we had to give Pollard the nod.

As written at the top, we gave alot of weight to championship rings while a Laker.
tanritwofour

Elgin Baylor should be number one
tanritwofour

Elgin Baylor should be number one
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http://yahoo.com anchila

hi…im a fan of lakers
http://yahoo.com anchila

hi…im a fan of lakers
http://yahoo.com anchila

..the nba finals was so greate.. i love kobe.. and gasol
http://yahoo.com anchila

..the nba finals was so greate.. i love kobe.. and gasol
http://twitter.com/MarkyBeeee Mark Barbadillo

Rick Fox was truly a solid role player..
j lakeman

rick fox what a joke u must be dreaming or was he related 2 u