<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He is sometimes sullen and withdrawn because his father never showered him with affection, because his sister shot and killed her boyfriend, and because his mother couldn't cope with an abusive, alcoholic husband and the overwhelming demands of raising three kids. He is expressive and joyous because his other sister, the one who nicknamed him Snootchie, always laughed and joked with him even when their modest Pennsylvania home was cold and dark because the electricity had been shut off. Danny Fortson is here and partly responsible for the Sonics' revival because a man named J.O. Stright rescued him from a downtrodden neighborhood in Altoona, Pa., and because Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins, the pied piper of lost causes, provided him discipline and a platform to showcase his brutish basketball skills. He is here, averaging 9.2 points and 6.5 rebounds a game, because four other NBA teams gave up on him and because Sonics general manager Rick Sund shipped away Calvin Booth believing that Fortson could resurrect the prowess he displayed in Golden State and in Denver, where he averaged double figures in rebounding and scoring. "Give Danny credit, he hasn't lost heart when a lot of people told him that he was no good and finished," said Garry St. Jean, the former coach of the Warriors. "He's bounced around a lot. A lot of times it's being in the right place at the right time. "One door closes and another door opens, I believe in that. Danny is that way. He's got his enemies, but he's also got a lot of people rooting for him. I'm rooting for him." Huggins echoed St. Jean's sentiments, describing Fortson as "a warrior," and "one of my all-time favorite people," on a list that also includes Kenyon Martin and Nick Van Exel. </div> <font size="1">Full Story courtesy of Percy Allen and the Seattle Times.</font> Would recommend everyone read this article, I never realised just how tough Danny has had it, and I think it's fair to say he does come across as a bit misunderstood when people label him a thug and the like.
I just read this story this morning and I have more respect for Danny than ever. The old saying, "never judge a book by its cover" definitely applies here. As much as people dissaprove of his play on the court, I think its great that he can channel all the burden he has had to live with and explode on the hardwood. Because of his hardnosed play he is now a successful NBA player and I can't imagine how fulfilling that must be after his hardships.
