LAKERS INSIDE LOOK: FOX SEEKS SOME LEVEL OF COMFORT.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

If Phil Jackson could draw a model of a prototypical role player for his triangle offense, it most likely would look something like Rick Fox. An adequate outside shooter, who's smart enough to grasp the intricacies of the triangle offense and disciplined enough to execute it. On defense, Fox might be even more valuable.

He's pesky, a good rebounder and not afraid to sacrifice his body for a loose ball.

And so in a series that has the makings of a defensive brawl, Fox would seem to be a key player.

Except, in 20 minutes in Game 1, he hardly made an impact, looking tentative as he played despite his injured right thumb. He attempted only three shots.

Before Monday night's game against the Rockets, Jackson stopped well short of endorsing Fox's play.

``We're going to start Rick and you hope that he's improving as he goes through, shooting his shots,'' Jackson said, when asked about the Lakers' game plan for small forward. ``I think it's going to be a game-time decision. It's the type of thing you can't really predict ... and then as the game progresses to see if Kobe is going to be needed at small forward.''

Some have wondered whether Fox is coming back too soon from dislocating his right thumb. His appearance in Game 1 was just eight days after the injury occurred. Originally, he was expected to miss three to five weeks. And he certainly wasn't supposed be playing without a protective splint.

But Fox has said he does not like playing with the splint because ``it was a little difficult to shoot and pass and dribble with'' and that there's no concern over doing further damage.

Then again, after rehabilitating from an injured Achilles' tendon that kept him out until the end of January, Fox has a pretty good read on his pain tolerance.

And considering in recent weeks he's discussed the possibility of retiring after the season, his quick return from the thumb injury might reflect his sense of urgency to help win a championship.

``We're going to have an opportunity to do a lot of things,'' Fox said before the playoffs began, ``but doing it together, doing it selflessly, doing it with a lot of energy and focus for the next few months here, is going to be imperative.

``Phil has spoken freely about the uncertainty. And to live in the moment of these next few weeks, as we may be together here now for our last time, and playing like that's the case.''

Ramona Shelburne, [phone]

ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com

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The playing time for Rick Fox (17) will be a game-time decision the rest of the series.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer