<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES ? They never understood each other last season, but what's in the past is in the past, because never has Bob Hill needed anyone more than he needs Danny Fortson. And that, in many ways, is a frightening position for the Sonics coach to be in. But when your starting center is out for the season, his replacement is hurting from a sprained right ankle suffered in the season opener and the only other 7-footer on the roster continues to labor through a sophomore slump, then the mercurial Fortson becomes the best option. "He can help us, and he's going to help us at some point in the season," Hill said. "We just have to be careful about what we ask him to do and about how much he can. A lot of that depends on him, his health and his attitude." Said Ray Allen: "I've said all along a veteran big man would help those young guys. We don't necessarily have that at the center position, but Danny is the next-closest thing."</div> Source
The man still doesn't get enough credit for his influence on that awesome 04/05 season. After 30 games when we were running away with the Northwest and people had him in consideration for 6th Man honours. He set the tone for that season more than just about anyone else. Funny how things change, but we have lacked that interior grunt and toughness everr since he fell out of favour with the franchise.
He may get too much credit. His inability to be effective after those 30 games was one of the main reasons the Sonics stunk it up the second half of the season.
I just hope that he is in shape. One of the biggest reasons why he fell out of favor last season is because he really never got into game condition--and an out of shape Fortson means an even more foul proned Fortson. Fortson plays bigger than any player in the league. There is never a moment where you ask yourself, "Where was Danny tonight?" My grandmother doesn't even watch basketball but whenever the Sonics are on and she is around she will tell me that she likes the way Fortson knocks people over. Her quote was "My 3 favorite basketball players are LeBron (she lives in from Warren, OH), Shaq, and Danny Fortson." He is going to have an impact on the success of the season. He just has to find a way to stay effective without fouling every 4 minutes. With his health, his conditioning, and his rep I don't think that it is possible. I'm pulling for him like hell though.
Danny needs to bring back the pigtails. He was like Sampson with the hair thing...he took of the pigs and his game took off, too. Danny is looking a tad on the heavy side from what I have seen so far.
