Editing Rick Fox (section)

===Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004)===
[[File:Lipofsky-Rick Fox.jpg|thumb|left|Fox with Los Angeles Lakers, 2002]]
In the summer of 1997, the Celtics released Fox, and he signed with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite web| first=George| last=Middleton| url=https://lakeshowlife.com/2020/04/15/los-angeles-lakers-rick-fox-glue-guy/| title=Los Angeles Lakers: Rick Fox, The Ultimate Glue Guy|website=[[FanSided]]| date=April 14, 2020| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> He played and started in all 82 games during the 1997–98 season, averaging 12 points per game. In the playoffs, he tallied 10.9 points a game as the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxri01/gamelog/1998/| title=Rick Fox 1997–98 Game Log| website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> In the 1998–99 season, the Lakers acquired All-Star small forward [[Glen Rice]]. Fox primarily served as his backup during the next two seasons.

In the 1999–2000 season playoffs, Fox played all 23 games as the Lakers advanced to the [[2000 NBA Finals]] against the [[Indiana Pacers]]. In the Finals, Fox averaged 6.7 points, including 11 in the Lakers' game 1 victory.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-finals-pacers-vs-lakers.html| title=2000 NBA Finals Pacers vs. Lakers| website=Basketball-Reference.com| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> In game 6, with the Lakers leading the series 3–2, Fox hit a critical three-pointer in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers' final rally as they won the game and the NBA title, Fox's first.<ref>{{cite web| first=Sabreena| last=Merchant| url=https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2020/4/10/21216757/lakers-profile-rick-fox-pretty-boy-beloved-instigator-three-time-champ-hollywood| title=Let's appreciate a Laker: Rick Fox, the beloved instigator| website=[[SB Nation]]| date=April 10, 2020| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

Following the departure of Glen Rice, Fox started 77 of 82 games in the 2000–01 season, posting an average of 9.6 points a game while shooting 39% from three-point range.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxri01/gamelog/2001/| title=Rick Fox 2000–01 Game Log|website=Basketball-Reference.com| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> In the playoffs, Fox started in all 16 games as the Lakers swept through the first three rounds and reached the [[2001 NBA Finals]] against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. Fox scored 19 points in the Lakers' game 1 loss; the 76ers were led by [[Allen Iverson]]'s 48 points.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2001-nba-finals-76ers-vs-lakers.html| title=2001 NBA Finals 76ers vs. Lakers| website=Basketball-Reference.com| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The Lakers would win the next four games of the series, securing their second straight championship. In the fifth game, Fox contributed with 20 points, and hit all three of his three-point field goal attempts.

In the 2001–02 season, Fox played and started in all 82 games in the regular season and in all of the Lakers' 19 playoff games.<ref name="auto">{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxri01/gamelog/2002/| title=Rick Fox 2001–02 Game Log| website=Basketball-Reference.com| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The Lakers faced a grueling 7-game series against the [[Sacramento Kings]], with Fox scoring 13 points in the Lakers' game 7 victory in Sacramento.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2002-nba-western-conference-finals-lakers-vs-kings.html|title=2002 NBA Western Conference Finals Lakers vs. Kings| website=Basketball-Reference.com| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

In the [[2002 NBA Finals]] against the [[New Jersey Nets]], Fox averaged 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals as the Lakers swept the Nets in 4 games to win their third straight NBA title.<ref name="auto"/> In the beginning of the 2002 season, Fox was suspended 6 games after fighting with [[Sacramento Kings]] player [[Doug Christie]] in the preseason.<ref>{{cite news| agency=Associated Press| date=2002-10-29| title=Fox, Christie suspended for fight| url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/10/29/19685725/fox-christie-suspended-for-fight| access-date=2021-03-23| newspaper=[[Deseret News]]| location=Salt Lake City| language=en}}</ref> In the 2002–03 season, Fox started in 75 of 76 games but suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the last two games of the first round against the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] and the entire Western Conference Semi-final series against the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{cite news| first=John| last=Nadel| url=https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Lakers-Rick-Fox-Undergoes-Foot-Surgery-7920031.php| title=Lakers' Rick Fox Undergoes Foot Surgery| newspaper=[[Midland Reporter-Telegram]]| date=May 11, 2003| access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The Spurs defeated the Lakers 4–2. Fox missed 40 games in the 2003–04 season due to a foot injury, but started in 34 of 38 games while active. He would only start in 3 of 16 playoff games as the Lakers advanced to the [[2004 NBA Finals]] but lost to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in 5 games. In 56 career NBA playoff games, Fox averaged 6.1 points per game, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.<ref name="NBA bio">{{cite web| title=Rick Fox| url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/rick_fox/|website=NBA| access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref> Following the 2003–04 season, Fox was traded back to the Celtics in a deal that brought [[Chucky Atkins]] to the Lakers, but opted to retire instead of suiting up for the Celtics.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Bresnahan| first1=Mike| title=Fox Retires Because of Nagging Injuries| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-oct-01-sp-fox1-story.html| newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]| access-date=April 17, 2020| date=October 1, 2004}}</ref> During his 13-year NBA career, Fox earned more than $34&nbsp;million in salary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxri01.html| title=Rick Fox| website=Basketball-Reference.com| accessdate=December 3, 2021}}</ref>