From CNN

["Belanger, Roger" <Roger.Belanger@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Thought you'd find this interesting!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> roger
> 
> Not his Forte
> 
> Sonics guard won't make room for Evans to return
> Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2003 8:44 PM
>           
> 
> SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle SuperSonics reserve guard Joseph Forte feels he
> spent enough time on the injured list last season. 
> 
> He doesn't want to go back now. 
> 
> Forte said Tuesday he declined a request by Sonics management to go on the
> injured list earlier this month, saying he didn't believe a sore ankle was
> serious enough to warrant the move. 
> 
> "It's not insubordination," Forte said. "I have a choice and they
> understand it. They can't antagonize me every day." 
> 
> Sonics general manager Rick Sund declined comment except to confirm he
> made the request, initially reported by the News Tribune of Tacoma. Coach
> Nate McMillan also declined comment. 
> 
> Under NBA rules, a player can't be placed on the injured list without his
> consent unless the injury -- a broken leg, for example -- would make it
> impossible to perform. 
> 
> However, teams routinely put players on the injured list with ailments
> such as tendinitis or muscle sprains. Any player who goes on the injured
> list must sit out at least five games. 
> 
> Forte said he was asked to accept the move Jan. 7 when the Sonics played
> at the Los Angeles Lakers, a 119-98 loss, and again before a 90-88 loss to
> the L.A. Clippers three days later. 
> 
> Before tipoff against the Lakers, Seattle activated center Jerome James,
> who had missed two months with a stress fracture in his foot. Rookie
> forward Reggie Evans went on the injured list with a sprained right
> shoulder. 
> 
> At the time, team officials said Forte was needed as a possible backup to
> Gary Payton because of injuries that had slowed but not sidelined guards
> Brent Barry and Kenny Anderson. 
> 
> The Sonics, meanwhile, have missed Evans, who made the team as an
> undrafted free agent and started 23 games. He averaged 2.4 points and 4.6
> rebounds before going on the injured list. 
> 
> Evans remains on the injured list but continues to practice. 
> 
> Forte has played in eight games all season, scoring 11 points. He has
> played once since the Lakers game, going scoreless in three minutes in a
> Jan. 12 loss to Cleveland. 
> 
> Last season as a rookie with the Boston Celtics, Forte spent 56 games on
> the injured list. He missed 26 games with a right ankle sprain, 25 with a
> left ankle sprain and five with lower back spasms. 
> 
> "It made me a stronger player and person," said Forte, part of the trade
> that sent Vin Baker to Boston. "It made me face a lot of adversity. It was
> a tough year for me. It was almost a negative, but I was able to stay
> focused." 
> 
> Though he's stuck behind Payton and Anderson in the Seattle lineup, Forte
> said he feels he's learning from the veterans, and that's why he was
> reluctant to give up possible playing time. 
> 
> "I'm a competitor," Forte said. "I don't understand how management could
> look poorly upon a player who wants to play and is eager and willing. That
> can't be anything but a positive."