With the television cameras rolling, Danny Fortson said all the right things yesterday about his return to the basketball court.

The nagging right turf toe still caused him discomfort, but he was managing. The stomach virus that forced him to miss Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets in Laredo, Texas, had passed. He was happy to be playing again and eager to make his preseason debut tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at KeyArena.

Away from the media horde, the much-maligned Sonics power forward challenged critics. Fortson has been the target of criticism from current and former teammates who have grown tired of his on- and off-the-court antics and believe he had exaggerated the severity of his injury.

"Come to me as a man," Fortson said. "If you have a problem with me, come say something. Don't go to the newspaper like some little girl. That's something my little daughter does. She's a tattletale right now and I'm trying to teach her not to be a tattletale.

"I think somebody on this team might have girlish characteristics that need to be turned into a man. Because if we're going to win, we need warriors. We don't need girls. Girls are for the dance team."

Last week, a Sonics player who requested anonymity told The Seattle Times: "At some point in time, we're going to have to figure out if we're going to have two sets of rules on this team. One for Danny and one for everybody else."

The comment and a remark from ex-Sonic Antonio Daniels irked Fortson, who questioned if the tight-knit Sonics are as close as many believe.

"I pick up the damn paper and I see that and I'm like, which Sonics player [said] that," he said. "I don't care if he's the captain, bench player, high-class, middle-class, lower-class, be a man and quit being a little girl. If you got something to say or if you don't like Danny Fortson, pull Danny Fortson aside and say something.

"They're ain't no two sets of rules for Danny Fortson. Danny Fortson has been fined more than probably anybody in this league."

Coach Bob Weiss clarified the situation Sunday when it appeared as if Fortson arrived two hours late for practice. He said Fortson informed the team that morning that he was feeling ill and was given permission to skip the workout.

Fortson's second season in Seattle was off to a slow and quiet start, much like his first, until a few players began to privately grumble about his inactivity at practice and absence in the first three preseason games.

"Am I mad?" Fortson said. "Not really. It's just upsetting. I'm just getting here. Working hard and I'm trying to get myself together mentally to play basketball.

"To have to pick up the paper and read somebody saying something about you that's on your team, it's kind of discouraging. It kind of makes you feel like you don't belong here or they don't want you here. Once a team starts talking bad about you, it's almost time to go."

Fortson could have been an unrestricted free agent this summer, but opted to exercise a clause in his contract that will pay him $6.4 million this season and $6.9 million next.

He had been a lightning rod for criticism since his teenage years in Pennsylvania. During his nine-year NBA career he has bounced among five teams and seemingly found a home in Seattle last season, where he became a fan favorite.

The Sonics were in dire need of a physical rebounder who might erase their reputation as being a soft team, and he was seeking a place where he could showcase his brutish talents.

At his best, Fortson is capable of averaging double figures in scoring and rebounding as he has done in two seasons.

At his worst, Fortson can be a divisive element, as he was during his final year in Golden State and his one season in Dallas, when he clashed with coaching staffs.

"I'm trying to be here," he said. "I'm trying my best."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com