Fortson suspended 3 games

[grndmstr_c]

Here's the link to the ESPN blurb.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1673180

[madape]

Now let's see the Mavericks' reaction.

[sike]

seems heavy...is three games the usual, or pretty extreme...

as long as the suspension puts this "Fortson is a thug" crap behind us, lets move on and be happy with the three games....but please lets not dwell on it for the next couple days....the team is sucking on the road....and that is a much more discussion worthy topic....

[grndmstr_c]

Originally posted by: sike
seems heavy...is three games the usual, or pretty extreme...

as long as the suspension puts this "Fortson is a thug" crap behind us, lets move on and be happy with the three games....but please lets not dwell on it for the next couple days....the team is sucking on the road....and that is a much more discussion worthy topic....

Amen.

[FilthyFinMavs]

He got exactly what he deserved. I'd be very dissapointed if the Mavs added any games to this suspension. That would be promoting the Mavs to be soft. Now don't take what I just said out of context. I don't think injuring a player makes you a thug or a rough player but I don't think Mavs players should be playing lightly because they are afriad they are going to injure a player and be suspended.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: sike
seems heavy...is three games the usual, or pretty extreme...

as long as the suspension puts this "Fortson is a thug" crap behind us, lets move on and be happy with the three games....but please lets not dwell on it for the next couple days....the team is sucking on the road....and that is a much more discussion worthy topic....

The real thug here is David Stern. At worst Danny Fortson was doing what King David wants done. Stern if he had is way would see each team with several players who did nothing but commit these types of fouls. So long as they don't do it to one of his precisous superstars, and Fortson didn't, then Stern just sees this as great marketing material.

[grndmstr_c]

Steven A. Smith just reported that the Mavs will NOT appeal the suspension. There's your reaction Madape.

[mikeinrowlett]

So much for the "Soft White Boyz" label.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally posted by: mikeinrowlett
So much for the "Soft White Boyz" label.

I don't mean to be patronizing, but could we maybe do without comments of that sort? I see them as needlessly polarizing and misguided, especially given the seriousness of what happened and the strong opinions that many people hold regarding this issue.

[Simon2]

I don't think the Mavs will appeal. Nellie is against this stuff. I would be disappointed if they added their own suspension. Fortson wants to establish that he can provide toughness and muscle outside. If the Mavs add to his suspension, I think that sends the wrong message.

[dude1394]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c

I don't mean to be patronizing, but could we maybe do without comments of that sort? I see them as needlessly polarizing and misguided, especially given the seriousness of what happened and the strong opinions that many people hold regarding this issue.

Pretty funny however. The truth often is.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[drummer]

From a Phx. Fan.....

By the responses I've read on here all I can say is you have got to be kidding me???

The obvious two handed push to the back while another player is in the air going for a dunk can not only break a players wrist, it can break their freakin neck. Your boy Fortsen should be ashamed for his actions. He actually got off quite easy. Only three games, no fine???

If this would have been any of your players you would have been screaming if one of our players only got 3 games. Fortsen is known for this type of play and no, that kind of play doesn't make your team tougher. You can play tough without taking someones legs out from under them while going up for a dunk. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE GAME IS TOTALLY OVER WITH TWO MIN. LEFT!!!! It was a bullshit play on his part and you know it!!!

Zarko is a promising young player. In his first start as a rookie he had 17 pts, (would have been 19), and 9 boards. I heard it wasn't a bad break to his shooting hand, but it could have been career threatening if it was a bad break. There's been nba players in the past that have broken their wrist and never shot the same again. Hopefully he can bounce back from this. If you think playing like this way and possibly ruining a players career is the way to play ball you have a lot to learn!!

I would never condone any such action by one of our players to yours. IT WOULD MAKE ME SICK!! You people should be ashamed condoneing such actions. Viewing it as making your team "tougher" is not only disturbing, it is a sign of poor sportsmanship.

I only hope and pray that our boy Jahidi doesn't retaliate the next game with the Mavs. That would only put him in the same category as your thug Fortsen.

[mavsman]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
I don't mean to be patronizing, but could we maybe do without comments of that sort? I see them as needlessly polarizing and misguided, especially given the seriousness of what happened and the strong opinions that many people hold regarding this issue.

Wow, you are one politically correct guy. Dont' wet your pants. Do you ever watch games? Where were you when freaking Malone elbowed Dirk? The KG-incident? I can't remember seeing you around here whining for people to calm down. It's not like Fortson murdered Zarko. Hell, if another guy puts his foot under Dirk's while he's landing, Dirk might be done for the season. Even if the guy didn't want to hurt Dirk, like Danny didn't want to hurt Zarko, in his own clumsy way. What are we going to do then? Strangle cute animals because you don't allow us to vent our anger here? Because comments on a FAN-BOARD might be polarizing? Gimme a break.

[mavsman]

Oh, and while I'm at it, grndmstr_c, why don't you like mikeinrowlett's comment? Don't you think that -
even if I don't like what Fortson did - there might be players who originally thought "I can go straight to the basket, all I can possibly get is a slap on the wrist" do now think twice?

[Chiwas]

I think everybody has considered it a 2 flagrant foul, drummer; maybe the difference is that you or others think that this is usual. It is not. I think is the first flagrant on Fortson with the Mavs, and rarely you see a flagrant from any Mav and far less like the Fortson's against Denver.

[drummer]

Forstsen is known for this kind of play. I think I read on another post that he had 8 flagrant fouls in one season, EIGHT!!! That's a flagrant foul every 10 games. Flagrant means no intent to make a good defensive play. It means putting a hit on a player with no regards what so ever to the player he does it too.

He's big and he can run, and he's in there to play rough. He has no other skills.

He's damn lucky nobody has been seriously hurt. There's no room for this kind of play in hoops. What if every team incorporated a thug type player to bang on the other teams players, in turn chancing an injury each time? Then it happens to one of your key players? There's no reason a player needs to play like that. It's not good hoops.

[bingocasino]

let me see no skills.how come he was an all american.and there is another skill beside being rough he is a pretty decent rebounder.lol
if given the time he is the best in the whole league.
beside that i feel sorry for chubaca and the foul was nothing more then dumb!!!

[dallas_esq]

I just saw it and it looked to me like he just shoved him. Pretty thuggish to me. I don't buy his defense either. Ultimately I think Dude nailed it, look in the mirror fans, this is what the NBA calls basketball.

[LoveMyMavs14]

Did anyone see Peter Vecsey's article on the incident? He was basically all over Colangelo's you-know-what, and he couldn't hide his blantant hatred for Dallas.

[dirk2003]

damn, does this mean he wont be giving shaq the "fits"

[LRB]

Originally posted by: LoveMyMavs14
Did anyone see Peter Vecsey's article on the incident? He was basically all over Colangelo's you-know-what, and he couldn't hide his blantant hatred for Dallas.

I'd pay big bucks to see Fortson or anyone else put a flagrant on Vecsey. A perfect example of someone who thinks that they are a legend in their own mind.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: LRB

I'd pay big bucks to see Fortson or anyone else put a flagrant on Vecsey. A perfect example of someone who thinks that they are a legend in their own mind.

Or Shaq.....oh thats right he wont be around for the nationally televised LAker/Mavericks game....=( \

Thats what concerns me more- a foul is a foul just like poor behavior is poor behavior or a technical is a technical but when it affects ability to play, then you as a player are to make sure you arent guilty of those things. Fortson's unnecessary shove just made him unable to play for days and that hurts the team. I guess its asking too much to ask him to think ahead and thnk of his team first.

BTW I watched the clips of the foul and although he obviously didnt intend to break bones and he seems to not know how strong he is, he definitely intended a very hard, stupid foul.

[madape]

Great, Fortson won't be around for Shaq to drop 40 on him again. Woe is me.

[EricaLubarsky]

great,

winded Bradley and ankle-sprain Nowitzki will play Shaq. That just whets my whistle.

[grndmstr_c]

Didi I miss something? Fortson's three games will be up after Tuesday night. He should be available for the LA game.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
Didi I miss something? Fortson's three games will be up after Tuesday night. He should be available for the LA game.

No, you didn't miss anything. The potato's last night of suspension is Tuesday night against the Wizards. He'll be available for the Fakers. He he may not be as agressive fearing another suspension. Against the Fakers, I hope not. Shaq and Malone, especially Malone, have given far more dirty plays than they have taken. Not that I want Fortson to commit a dirty play against them or anyone else, I just don't want him to lose his agressiveness. Tame it a little would be nice though.

[EricaLubarsky]

I missed something, sorry

[madape]

This article just shows that Cuban is in this for himself and not the good of the game. When one of his players gets injured on a legal play, he whines and cries. When one of his own players breaks a guy's wrist in one of the most blatant cheap shots I've ever seen, he plays it off as just another part of the game. I've lost a lot of respect for Cuban because of this. I used to admire his desire to make the league better. His double-talk on this issue makes it clear to me that he just wants what's best for himself. Every time he cries about the officiating, I'll know he's just looking for a scapegoat for a Mavericks loss. Everytime he proposes a rule change, I'll know it's because he thinks his team got shafted. Every time he opens his big mouth, I'll suspects it's purely self-serving.

What ever happened to looking out for your peers? Jerry's team was the victim of a player who's blatant disregard for the rules virtually ended a promising young player's first NBA season. This completely blatant and disgusting cheap-shot is costing the Suns and it's owner, dearly. Yet Cuban is NOT diciplining his player at ALL. However, in the same sentence in which he defend's Fortson, he manages to both criticize Coangelo for being upset, AND blame the league for Dirk's nagging ankle injury. Shameful.

[u2sarajevo]

ape... normally I agree with you but can't seem to on this one.

I think it is part of an owners job to support his players... and has been Cuban's MO since day one. I think it would be sad if Cuban was calling for Fortson to be suspended longer, as it would give the appearance that the club is not behind him.

It was obvious that Fortson did not mean to break anything to me, and he said that publicly as well.

[superheadcat]

which owner is NOT self serving?

the suns' owner's outbreak is for suns' benefits, is it not? cuban even said he'll support him if he goes beyond seeking apathy. how many other owners will do that?

[Psychedelic Fuzz]

We are not talking about broken ribs from being pushed so hard, we are talking about a kid landing on his wrist. We are not talking about a punch blatantly and unquestionably intended to hurt someone. It was a cheap shot, no one is denying that. As I said before, was the intent to put him on his back? was it to injure the guy, no. Did he show remorse? Yes.

6-8 weeks for his wrist to heal is not "ending his season" and personally I hope the Chupacabra has a career game the next time he
plays against us.

I don't recall Cuban calling out teams for not punishing players. He's fighting for better officiating. That is a league issue. The same league that is sitting fortson and lightening his wallet. I'm not buying the hypocrite argument.

You're rants are one of the most enjoyable things on this site, but you're off base on this one.

[madape]

Originally posted by: u2sarajevo
ape... normally I agree with you but can't seem to on this one.

I think it is part of an owners job to support his players... and has been Cuban's MO since day one. I think it would be sad if Cuban was calling for Fortson to be suspended longer, as it would give the appearance that the club is not behind him.

It was obvious that Fortson did not mean to break anything to me, and he said that publicly as well.

Cuban has the power to dicipline Fortson on his own. He doesn't need the league to do so. In fact, I think even a small suspension leveled by the team would send a more powerful message than anything the league can impose. Cuban needs to be strong in saying that he does not support this kind of behaviour out of his players. I would expect the same kind of quotes to come out of his mouth that I've heard come out of Nelson's mouth: that what Danny did has no place in the game. Instead, all I've heard from Cuban is crap like "he was ejected, that should be enough of a penalty". Now, instead of addressing the issue of Fortson's dirty play, he's taking the opportunity to complain that league should be protecting DIRK better. Are you kidding me? How can you take this stance seriously when he allows his own players to hack and cheap-shot defensless players with nary a slap on the wrist from the team. We haven't heard of any action on Cubans part to remedy the situation. On the contrary, he's defended Fortson's action at every turn. And now he has the gall to blame the league for Dirk's ankle injury? It's preposterous.

If owners are supposed to defend their players to the end, that's fine. But it does harm their credibility when they talk out of two ends of their ass on the same issue. Cuban is not on the side of the players in general. He's only on the side of his own players. He doesn't want to improve league play. He only wants to improve his own team's chances of winning. All I'm saying is that from now on, I'm going to interpret Cuban's whining and crying a little differently. I am now more aware of his self-serving, scheming, flim-flam. He is less capable of taking a moral stand, in my eyes, than he was before this Fortson hullabaloo. If I was a little naive beforehand, I'm sorry. I have now seen the light.

[grndmstr_c]

If the Mavs suspended Fortson on top of what the league did (you've got it backwards, it's not that Cuban has power and therefore doesn't need the league. It's that the league has power and therefore there's no need for Cuban to do anything else), it would completely ruin his confidence. This team is still trying to win a championship, and we'll need our bigs to play well in order to have a shot. Fortson was punished about as severely as the CBA allows. That's plenty.

As for your comments about Mark, I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Mark has been tireless in his efforts to stimulate reform in the league. He's not asking for special treatment. He's asking to have his arguments heard and debated in an open forum, and he's working for changes that will affect every team in the league the same, as he sees it, positive way. His feeling, and I'm inclined to believe him, is that the league is commonly quite apathetic concerning change. For the first time in a while there's another owner in the league who's screaming at the top of his lungs that changes need to be made, and Mark is seizing the opportunity by speaking out in support of Colangelo's activism, even if he may not agree with the specific issue. In my mind that is to be comended.

[madape]

We are talking about a blatant cheap shot that Cuban has done nothing to address. By not punishing Fortson, or even speaking harshly against his action, he is tolerating this behavior. He complains to the league about everything that goes wrong with the Mavericks. But when his team is clearly at fault for something as serious as this, he does nothing. No, he just takes the opportunity to do even more whining and complaining. Over the past week, I have not seen the actions of a classy organization. I have seen a self-serving owner politicising his own team's dirty play into a ploy to bend the rules is own interests. He's pointing a lot of fingers at other people and not trying to address the problems on his own team.

The organization knew of Danny's reputation before they brought him here. They chose to trade for him anyway. Once he was here, they chose to insert him in the starting lineup with only a couple of practices under his belt. Now that a forseeable regrettable event has occurred, the organization hasn't done a damn thing to discourage it from happening again. It seems to me that Cuban is in fact encouraging the very type of behavior on his team that he's condemning publicly to the league. That's hypocritical. All I'm saying is he should clean up his own mess before complaining about the mess of others.

[dallas_esq]

As for your comments about Mark, I don't have a clue what you're talking about. Mark has been tireless in his efforts to stimulate reform in the league. He's not asking for special treatment. He's asking to have his arguments heard and debated in an open forum, and he's working for changes that will affect every team in the league the same, as he sees it, positive way. His feeling, and I'm inclined to believe him, is that the league is commonly quite apathetic concerning change. For the first time in a while there's another owner in the league who's screaming at the top of his lungs that changes need to be made, and Mark is seizing the opportunity by speaking out in support of Colangelo's activism, even if he may not agree with the specific issue. In my mind that is to be comended.

You have a promising career ahead as Cuban's media control guru.

I mostly agree with you grndmstr_C. I think it's Cuban's/organization's decision to bring this cat here in the first place that should be under fire right now. Cuban is handling this ugliness about as well as I would expect him too. I don't see that he has a duty to go beyond what the league has done unless he wants to just cut the kid.

Madape-

We are talking about a blatant cheap shot

- I could not agree more. However, if you give the Mavs the benefit of the doubt then you want to see them make this kid into a better/cleaner player. If you feel that "reforming" Fortson is a good idea then you have to support him in his efforts. That doesn't mean dogpiling when the world is against him, they are still a team.

[grndmstr_c]

The thing you have to keep in mind is that none of us know what has been said to Fortson behind closed doors. I, for one, would be very surprised if Nellie hasn't told Danny that those types of fouls won't be tolerated, and that if this started happening on a regular basis there would be consequences within the organization, but that's just not the kind of thing that they'd be in a hurry to air out in public, especially after the firestorm started by Colangenlo.

Edited: spelling

[madape]

Admittedly, this was Fortson's first flagrant foul as a Maverick, so I do think that he deserves a second chance. What I worry about is whether the message the Mavericks sent was clear enough, or if a message was even sent at all. Nothing that Cuban has said or done leads me to the conclusion that they have done anything as an organization to address the issue. Therefore, I expect to see this kind of thing happen again, both from Fortson and from other Mavericks players now that they've witnessed the proverbial "green light" from the organization.

Hopefully, the Mavericks brass has done privately what should have been done publicly.. but I guess we'll have to wait unill the next bone snaps to know for sure.

[kg_veteran]

I'm not buying what you're selling this time around, ape.

If Cuban wanted to send the wrong message, he would have griped about the suspension. He didn't. He said it was appropriate. Nelson was harsher in his criticism of the play, but both handled the situation professionally and appropriately.

Other than games against the Lakers, though, you can bet Nelson will bury Fortson on the end of the bench. He hates play like that, and I'm willing to bet he'll effectively impose a suspension on Fortson by banishing him to the land of DNP.

[madape]

Let's hope Nelson benches him, KG. I think it would speak volumes if Nelson held him out of the Lakers game.

Perhaps I am being a bit premature of condeming the Mavericks organization on this. I really should wait to see what Nelson does with Fortson before being too critical. But while I reserve judgement on the Mavericks as a whole, I will not reserve judgement on Mark Cuban. You can call him "professional" all you want, but this whole mess stinks of low-class to me. Don Nelson has both condemned Fortson's actions and apologized to the Phoenix fans. Cuban has done none of that. What he has done and said publicly has rubbed me the wrong way, and I think it should rub others the wrong way, too. Maybe I've set the bar too high for Mark. It certainly seems so based on the reaction by Mavericks fans to my opinion. But don't worry, that bar has been lowered.

[kg_veteran]

ape - I will definitely agree on this point that you make. Why did Cuban have to turn his response into a bitch session about everything else that's wrong with the league? It's almost like he was saying, "I know my guy broke your guy's wrist, but let's talk about bigger issues." And then he had to turn it into how the Mavs are getting screwed (how does taking a charge injure Dirk's ankle? That makes no sense. Also, what does the Olympics have to do with anything?). I hate that kind of crap.

Fact is, our guys stand in and take 'weakside charges' just like everybody else. That's perhaps Eddie Najera's best attribute. Every guy on the team tries to do it during the course of a game. To complain that it should be illegal is a bit hypocritical, unless the Mavs are going to instruct their players not to attempt to take those types of charges because they are such a "dangerous play." Otherwise Cuban is just saying, "Change the rule because it's dangerous, but until then we're going to take advantage of the rule, injuries be damned."

I guess what I'm saying is, I can kind of see why you might be pissed at Cuban.