Fox injury more serious than first thought

[mavsfanforever]

Its a shame no matter who it happens to.

May 4, 2003
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- The injury to Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox's left foot is more serious than first thought, putting his availability for next season in question.

Fox injured his foot in the opening six minutes of the Lakers' 102-97 victory over Minnesota in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series April 27. It was learned the following day he would miss the remainder of the playoffs after an MRI showed he had a torn tendon.

Fox visited Dr. Jonathan T. Deland, a specialist in New York, on Friday and learned of a split in another tendon, complicating the surgical procedure he expects to undergo within two weeks.

Fox expects to be sidelined at least six-to-nine months.

``The doctor keeps saying anywhere from six months to a year,'' Fox told the Los Angeles Daily News. ``But I keep thinking along the lines of getting back and conquering this challenge, but (I) also think about, 'OK, what's the risk factor of being able to walk with my kids and run, and make sure I'm not foolish in that respect and rush back too soon?'

``So have things changed for me as a basketball player forever? Yeah,'' he said. ``Does it mean I still play basketball? Yeah. But now the challenge is to be as effective, or in some cases more effective, if I come back stronger than I was before.''

Devean George is taking Fox's place in the starting lineup. The Lakers begin their second-round series Monday night at San Antonio.