Danny Fortson wanted to be a Knick in the summer of 2000. And The Post has learned that the Warriors forward certainly wouldn’t be opposed to being a Knick now.
“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to play in the Mecca of basketball,” Fortson said last night before the Warriors beat the Knicks 90-71 at the Garden. “I’m sure every kid did.”
When asked if he would still have interest in New York now, should the rebounding-needy Knicks come calling, the board-banging Fortson wouldn’t acknowledge his interest verbally. But he showed with his body language – a wide-eyed nod and a grin – that he’d be open to such a deal.
Two offseasons ago, the Knicks and Celtics became involved in sign-and-trade discussions revolving around the 6-7 Fortson, who was averaging 12.8 rebounds per game before last night. But while Fortson’s first choice was New York, the Knicks were unable to work out a deal, unwilling to pony up any more than Chris Childs.
“It was pretty close,” Fortson said. “But nothing happened, and this is where I am now.”
The Knicks and Golden State may have a match down the road, though. The Warriors are still looking for point-guard help – Bob Sura and Larry Hughes, both primarily two-guards – have been rotating at the point. Of course, the Knicks have Mark Jackson, Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley.
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Jeff Van Gundy continued to reiterate that the Knicks have lost some of their notorious fighting spirit, and that deficiency is as much to blame for the 2-5 start.
“I think what’s surprising – especially to our new guys – is that we’ve always been a fight team,” the head coach said. “But we haven’t had as much fight so far.
“I just think it’s a troubling sign when it’s the start of the season and you’re not fighting. When you’re coming off what we came off of – losing in the first round of the playoffs – you’d expect the exact opposite.”
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Despite the Knicks’ defensive struggles, Van Gundy said he has little interest in employing a zone defense.
“I think zone is fine for certain teams, but I just don’t think that’s the remedy for what ails us,” he said. “If we’re not going to play with intensity, a zone worsens that. The answer to me is not zone gimmicks. It’s the ability to summon energy.”
