Fox Gets to Play His Part

There is a place for Rick Fox in this postseason after all, somewhere behind Devean George and in front of Wally Szczerbiak.

Fox has played 22 minutes in the series, most of them spent hounding Szczerbiak, who has taken Sam Cassell’s place as the Timberwolves’ third offensive option.

Amid of all of that chasing and grabbing of Szczerbiak, Fox made two shots Thursday night, one a three-pointer, both of them in an end-of-the-first, start-of-the-second-quarter span in which the Lakers went from six behind to eight ahead.

“There are some players who need special attention in this league,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “[Fox] is one of the few people who really can zero in on an individual and take him out of an offensive game.”

None of the Lakers have exactly taken out Szczerbiak, who injured his back earlier in the playoffs and is averaging 16.3 points in 30.5 minutes in the series anyway. But Fox is tougher than George, he’s not afraid to spend his fouls and he often is treated better by referees, carrying the reputation of a defensive player.

Fox played eight minutes in six games against San Antonio. But if the Lakers advance, Fox’s grinding style would be useful against either Eastern Conference finalist.

“Baby steps,” Fox said. “Who knows, the next round could bring the same thing. There are a number of [small forwards] and small power forwards on Indiana’s team and a couple on Detroit’s. So, I’m just staying ready.”

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Tracy McGrady told Florida Today that if he leaves the Orlando Magic, his preference would be to play for the Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs.

McGrady, who has won the last two scoring titles, can opt out of his Magic contract after next season. Magic management is said to be considering trading McGrady this summer rather than risk losing him with no compensation in a year.

Shaquille O’Neal and McGrady are neighbors in the Isleworth community in Orlando and close friends.

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Though he spoke as though he were weary, Bryant said Friday he felt strong on the day after flying to Colorado and back and playing 41 minutes against the Timberwolves.

He said he did not expect fatigue to be a problem tonight in Game 5.

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Flip Saunders ordered Shaq to be hacked again in Game 4, so Jackson benched O’Neal from the 2:55 mark of the fourth quarter to 1:48.

According to NBA rules, a player fouled away from the basketball in the final two minutes is awarded one free throw and then his team is given possession of the ball.

Jackson said sitting the ever-proud O’Neal was not a difficult decision.

“It was just making the game flow better,” he said. “I told Shaq, ‘I’d like you to practice your free throws, but there’s probably a better place and time for it.’ ”