LeBron James knows he was wrong to snub the Magic and the media, and David Stern decided the NBA was wrong when it didn’t punish the MVP for it. So the commissioner changed his mind and fined James $25,000 for skipping the postgame news conference after Cleveland lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals. Stern said Thursday night that he spoke with the Cavaliers star on Wednesday, a day after James had surgery to remove a benign growth near his jaw, and that James admitted he was wrong to not congratulate Orlando’s players and coaches after the loss. “He asked that I express to the media, the Magic and the fans his apology, and particularly the young fans, because he knows he has a responsibility to all of our fans, and that sportsmanship is appropriate whether you win or whether you lose,” Stern said near the start of his annual NBA finals press conference. “He understands why it was necessary for me to fine him $25,000 for missing the media availability.” The league first said James wouldn’t be penalized, citing his usual cooperation with the press. Stern said he reconsidered after thinking about it more. “Certainly as it related to the media, we have a rule, you guys know that we’ve had some interesting issues over the years with some of our coaches and the like, and it was inappropriate for me to give someone a pass here,” Stern said. Source: ESPN.
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Greg Huber in around-the-nbalebron-james
View Comments (3)
WHAT THE...???
Now I understand that James should apologize to his fans for the miss, but come on now NBA: fining him 25,000... was that really necessary???
Basketball players around the world, whether pro or not, should feel the same way too, cuz I know there's been one time in a player's life that when they lose a game they believe was ON THE LINE n a make-or-break, they would skip shakin hands with the winner and/or not speak on it too, n I believe that might have been what was going through LBJ's head then.... this is ridiculous.
Stern is probably just fining him for not making it to the finals and is trying to recover some of the money he lost because of it. David Stern, you're a dick!
Lebron James, I am a huge fan of yours, more for the way you have comported yourself as a very young man off the court than for your amazing talent. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that you did not stay on the court to congratulate your opponents (I really don't care if you stuck around to talk to the media).
You, Jordan, and I hate to lose, but a very important part of sportsmanship is to be a "good" loser. That's just being a man, not a pouty kid. Like Sir Charles, you didn't ask to be a role model for kids, but you are. I hope you learn and grow from your mistakes, as I have.