Fortson is Causing Problems Already

Does anyone remember what AD said about him? I missed it.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2002569620_soni19.html

Fortson grows tired of "tattletale" tactics

By Percy Allen

With the television cameras rolling, Danny Fortson said all the right things yesterday about his return to the basketball court.

The nagging right turf toe still caused him discomfort, but he was managing. The stomach virus that forced him to miss Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets in Laredo, Texas, had passed. He was happy to be playing again and eager to make his preseason debut tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at KeyArena.

Away from the media horde, the much-maligned Sonics power forward challenged critics. Fortson has been the target of criticism from current and former teammates who have grown tired of his on- and off-the-court antics and believe he had exaggerated the severity of his injury.

"Come to me as a man," Fortson said. "If you have a problem with me, come say something. Don't go to the newspaper like some little girl. That's something my little daughter does. She's a tattletale right now and I'm trying to teach her not to be a tattletale.

"I think somebody on this team might have girlish characteristics that need to be turned into a man. Because if we're going to win, we need warriors. We don't need girls. Girls are for the dance team."

Last week, a Sonics player who requested anonymity told The Seattle Times: "At some point in time, we're going to have to figure out if we're going to have two sets of rules on this team. One for Danny and one for everybody else."

The comment and a remark from ex-Sonic Antonio Daniels irked Fortson, who questioned if the tight-knit Sonics are as close as many believe.

"I pick up the damn paper and I see that and I'm like, which Sonics player [said] that," he said. "I don't care if he's the captain, bench player, high-class, middle-class, lower-class, be a man and quit being a little girl. If you got something to say or if you don't like Danny Fortson, pull Danny Fortson aside and say something.

"They're ain't no two sets of rules for Danny Fortson. Danny Fortson has been fined more than probably anybody in this league."

Coach Bob Weiss clarified the situation Sunday when it appeared as if Fortson arrived two hours late for practice. He said Fortson informed the team that morning that he was feeling ill and was given permission to skip the workout.

Fortson's second season in Seattle was off to a slow and quiet start, much like his first, until a few players began to privately grumble about his inactivity at practice and absence in the first three preseason games.

"Am I mad?" Fortson said. "Not really. It's just upsetting. I'm just getting here. Working hard and I'm trying to get myself together mentally to play basketball.

"To have to pick up the paper and read somebody saying something about you that's on your team, it's kind of discouraging. It kind of makes you feel like you don't belong here or they don't want you here. Once a team starts talking bad about you, it's almost time to go."

Fortson could have been an unrestricted free agent this summer, but opted to exercise a clause in his contract that will pay him $6.4 million this season and $6.9 million next.

He had been a lightning rod for criticism since his teenage years in Pennsylvania. During his nine-year NBA career he has bounced among five teams and seemingly found a home in Seattle last season, where he became a fan favorite.

The Sonics were in dire need of a physical rebounder who might erase their reputation as being a soft team, and he was seeking a place where he could showcase his brutish talents.

At his best, Fortson is capable of averaging double figures in scoring and rebounding as he has done in two seasons.

At his worst, Fortson can be a divisive element, as he was during his final year in Golden State and his one season in Dallas, when he clashed with coaching staffs.

"I'm trying to be here," he said. "I'm trying my best."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

 

Here's another article from the Seattle PI:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/245117_sonx19.html

Sonics Notebook: Fortson's arthritic toe, feelings hurt

By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

First his toe. Now his feelings.

Danny Fortson has hobbled through much of training camp, hampered by an arthritic right toe. After Tuesday's practice, though, the forlorn Sonics forward addressed another sore spot: a report in Monday's The Seattle Times, in which an unnamed teammate suggested the team had "two sets of rules ... one for Danny and one for everybody else."

Fortson has missed practices and three exhibition games due to the injury and stayed home during the team's recent trip to Laredo, Texas, because of a virus. He admitted that he is "out of shape," but placed the blame on the injury, not his work habits.

The Sonics lost to the Houston Rockets in Laredo Monday.

He said Tuesday that he did not know which teammate made the comment, other than that it must have been "someone with a big mouth."

"If it's a captain who said that, like Ray [Allen] or Rashard [Lewis], it's going to make me feel like I should get out of here," Fortson said. "Of course I'm out of shape. I can't work out. I have a sore toe.

"It's too bad, man. It puts a damper on my whole day. It makes me feel like they don't want me here. I don't know who to believe anymore. I'm very uncomfortable."

Fortson has not asked for a trade -- "I haven't gone that far," he said -- and is unlikely to be dealt, given the team's inexperience in the post. Head coach Bob Weiss spoke of Fortson's importance on Tuesday, as he observed the way in which Fortson "spreads out" opposing players due to his size and strength.

It appears, then, that Fortson will continue to inhabit the same workspace as the critical teammate, who Fortson said should have approached him directly.

"Be a man instead of going to the paper and hiding like a little girl," Fortson said. "This is ridiculous."

Fortson noted that, during the playoffs last spring, "no one criticized" Lewis for the more severe toe injury that kept him out of the final three games of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs.

"Ask Rashard," Fortson said. "He'll tell you how bad it hurts. I never criticized Rashard last year. I told him to get better. Thank God it's not as bad as his was."

General manager Rick Sund said he does not perceive the remark as a threat to the locker room chemistry often cited as a team strength last season. Allen and Lewis, the team's co-captains, did not speak with reporters after practice.

"We've got great players and great camaraderie," Sund said. "It's not a concern."

In fact, Sund defended Fortson's actions on Sunday, when Fortson called in sick due to the virus. Fortson visited the doctor and was prescribed medication before arriving at practice.

"Danny was upset," Sund said. "It was reported that he was two hours late, when in fact he followed proper protocol."

Fortson, who was suspended by both the NBA and the Sonics last season, has shown sensitivity to public comments before. Two seasons ago, Fortson was suspended for three games after his flagrant foul against Zarko Cabarkapa broke the Phoenix Suns rookie's wrist. Afterward, Suns chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo called Fortson a "thug." New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey referred to him as a "meaningless mass" and "vacant lot."

Fortson filed defamation lawsuits against both men. Asked if the cases were still active, Fortson said: "Very much so." He said Colangelo is set to take a deposition this month.

"Be careful," he said. "Whoever's saying anything bad about Danny Fortson that's not true is going to be held accountable."

NOTES: Allen left practice early on Tuesday to undergo a CT scan, an appointment made earlier this month after he experienced sinus congestion for three weeks. Benign polyps are the likely source of the pain, and Sonics medical personnel have administered in-house treatment over the past two weeks. Even if minor corrective surgery is required, Weiss expects Allen to be ready for the start of the regular season. ... Nick Collison practiced with the starting unit at center, and could play there tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at KeyArena.

 

I disagree. If this was the 70s or 80s maybe. In today's NBA, thuggery by very unskilled players isn't tolerated. Fortson has also been a lockerroom problem for years. JVG/CD wouldn't touch this guy with a 10 foot pole and I'm glad.

 

Is that Ron Artest painted green?