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EricaLubarsky · 03-28-2005, 05:20 PM

Sonics backup PF/C Danny Fortson turns problematic in the midst of playoff push

Authored by Jason Schwisow
28th March, 2005 - 12:49 pm

As the astonishing Seattle Supersonics have seemingly rolled through all comers, the slew of scintillating surprises has been seemingly endless. The emergence of Rashard Lewis as an All Star. The floor general tandem of Luke Ridnour and Antonio Daniels. The surfacing of Reggie Evans as arguably the best rebounder in the game.

However, no surprise was likely greater than the quick emergence of Danny Fortson as an energizing low post presence off the bench.

After disappointing season with the Dallas Mavericks, the Mavs moved Fortson for a handful of beans with a bad contract otherwise known as Calvin Booth. Traded for the sixth time in his career, the expectations for Fortson were generally low given his less than stellar reputation.

A big body with a low center of gravity that can make life hell for an opposing player trying to establish position in the post, Fortson has impressed by being an aggressor and by giving the Sonics a little swagger in the front court that hasn’t been seen in years.

When playing at his best, in the first few months of the season Fortson put up numbers that rivaled those of famed enforcers like Rick Mahorn and Charles Oakley.

Yet with the good has come a little bad. Too often Danny’s on court performance devolves solely to applying hard fouls and his off court performance consists of the hard to rationalize.

First, there was an impromptu chair tossing following an ejection against the Sacramento Kings. While the toss was impressive in its ease, the act was surprisingly frowned upon by the powers that be and Fortson was suspended for two games.

Following the suspension, Fortson took off a large amount to be with his ailing grandmother. A noble gesture, but prolonged to the point that “his absence [was] beginning to raise some eyebrows around the team” wrote Frank Hughes of The News Tribune.

Not long after returning from his leave of absence, Fortson was sent home early by coach Nate McMillan after an argument in practice which turned into a one game suspension at management’s behest.

After returning to action again, Fortson had a six fouls in six minutes display against the Bulls that earned him a spot in the history ledger for the fourth-fastest disqualification in league history.

Following the Bulls game, he sat out a couple more games with a sprained ankle.

And now, the most recent impetus for concern, a “DNP-CD” earned by a not so fashionably late appearance at a pre-game shoot around. His third such display of tardiness this season, Fortson was relegated to the end of the bench by McMillan, then compounded the problem by initially refusing to come out with the team at halftime during the Friday’s match up against the Knicks.

Fortson’s response? According to Saturday’s edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a rather glib dismissal of the incident as "one of Nate's million rules that I can't seem to follow."

“Ain’t nothing changed with me,” Fortson later said as reported by Frank Hughes of The News Tribune. “I’m still the same person. It seems like whenever negativity comes around, somehow my name gets involved in it. I don’t understand.”

The Sonics’ response? Another one game suspension handed down by management, and a plan to leave Fortson at home as the Sonics travel to San Antonio and Memphis so he can reportedly rest his ankle.

03-28-2005, 05:20 PM	#23
EricaLubarsky Inactive. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 42,191	RE:Fortson tonight Sonics backup PF/C Danny Fortson turns problematic in the midst of playoff push Authored by Jason Schwisow 28th March, 2005 - 12:49 pm As the astonishing Seattle Supersonics have seemingly rolled through all comers, the slew of scintillating surprises has been seemingly endless. The emergence of Rashard Lewis as an All Star. The floor general tandem of Luke Ridnour and Antonio Daniels. The surfacing of Reggie Evans as arguably the best rebounder in the game. However, no surprise was likely greater than the quick emergence of Danny Fortson as an energizing low post presence off the bench. After disappointing season with the Dallas Mavericks, the Mavs moved Fortson for a handful of beans with a bad contract otherwise known as Calvin Booth. Traded for the sixth time in his career, the expectations for Fortson were generally low given his less than stellar reputation. A big body with a low center of gravity that can make life hell for an opposing player trying to establish position in the post, Fortson has impressed by being an aggressor and by giving the Sonics a little swagger in the front court that hasn’t been seen in years. When playing at his best, in the first few months of the season Fortson put up numbers that rivaled those of famed enforcers like Rick Mahorn and Charles Oakley. Yet with the good has come a little bad. Too often Danny’s on court performance devolves solely to applying hard fouls and his off court performance consists of the hard to rationalize. First, there was an impromptu chair tossing following an ejection against the Sacramento Kings. While the toss was impressive in its ease, the act was surprisingly frowned upon by the powers that be and Fortson was suspended for two games. Following the suspension, Fortson took off a large amount to be with his ailing grandmother. A noble gesture, but prolonged to the point that “his absence [was] beginning to raise some eyebrows around the team” wrote Frank Hughes of The News Tribune. Not long after returning from his leave of absence, Fortson was sent home early by coach Nate McMillan after an argument in practice which turned into a one game suspension at management’s behest. After returning to action again, Fortson had a six fouls in six minutes display against the Bulls that earned him a spot in the history ledger for the fourth-fastest disqualification in league history. Following the Bulls game, he sat out a couple more games with a sprained ankle. And now, the most recent impetus for concern, a “DNP-CD” earned by a not so fashionably late appearance at a pre-game shoot around. His third such display of tardiness this season, Fortson was relegated to the end of the bench by McMillan, then compounded the problem by initially refusing to come out with the team at halftime during the Friday’s match up against the Knicks. Fortson’s response? According to Saturday’s edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a rather glib dismissal of the incident as "one of Nate's million rules that I can't seem to follow." “Ain’t nothing changed with me,” Fortson later said as reported by Frank Hughes of The News Tribune. “I’m still the same person. It seems like whenever negativity comes around, somehow my name gets involved in it. I don’t understand.” The Sonics’ response? Another one game suspension handed down by management, and a plan to leave Fortson at home as the Sonics travel to San Antonio and Memphis so he can reportedly rest his ankle.