<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I definitely remember the comment when it was said. Even though I think that Fortson was totally in the wrong for the foul I felt uneasy that Colangelo was allowed to attack Fortson's character without any resistance. Fortson's minutes were reduced after this incident. I'm not saying that he didn't get the playing time b/c he was called a thug by Colangelo but I guarantee that owners take into consideration the perception of character when negotiating a players contract or attempting to trade for a player.</div> ...and if Fortson can prove that said comment led to loss of income, either through endorsements, future contracts, psychiatrist payments or whatever, then he has a case. A lot of people will have already had their minds up made up about Danny Fortson the second the incident occurred, and would have made future decisions regarding him based on their own response. Where the amount of damage lies, I'm unsure, but that's up to Fortson to prove. I seriously doubt that people will think "Oh, but Colangelo called him a 'thug'." As a an example, Keith Van Horn is tainted as a 'choker'. Who said that? I have no idea... but most have made their own minds up. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Why do you think that Cleveland essentially gave Ricky Davis away? They tried to damage his character through the media as well when the only thing that he did on record was shoot at the wrong basket. Does anyone think that Davis will get a big time contract when his current one runs out?</div> Then it is up to Ricky Davis to claim those damages. Most would believe that Davis will not get a big time contract because he's not that good of a player, straight up.
