In an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," Stern acknowledged he was not pleased that James, the league's reigning MVP, didn't meet with the media, or shake hands with the Orlando Magic, following the Game 6 loss on Saturday night.
Noting that in the recent past, other players and teams have been fined for failing to meet the league's media guidelines, Cowherd asked why James had not been fined.
"I'm in the process of making a phone call or two now to talk to LeBron ... so I don't want to speak to that at this moment," Stern said.
"So you're not happy?" Cowherd asked.
"I think that's fair to say," Stern replied.
When further asked about James storming off the court without postgame handshakes with the Magic -- and whether one action was more troubling than the other -- Stern said both. "One goes to rules, another goes to values," he said. "I think both of them should be followed."
"Everything's big when you follow the NBA, so I'm going to step back and ask not to be pushed too hard right now [on the incident]" Stern added. "I've got a few irons in the fire."
On Monday, NBA spokesman Tim Frank told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that James would not be fined, adding "We haven't had any issues with him before at all."
5 months ago
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger)
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Clearly, the situation has now officially been blown out of proportion!
And I thought Wojnarowski making a total ass out of him self was bad, now it’s getting worse. I really think a fine would be a bit much, not to mention totally redundant to a guy who makes hundreds of millions in endorsements alone.
by Simmsinns on Jun 2, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is GD ridiculous. People are acting like he peed on Red Aurbach’s grave or something.
Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.
by Turkmenbashi on Jun 2, 2009 12:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stern does not have the gonads to fine him.
and apparently he dosent have LeBron on his speed dial either. Glad to see Davey stepping up to handle this “crisis”.
So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.
by Juannieboy on Jun 2, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If other players get fined for skipping press conferences
so can LeBron
his money isn’t anymore special than any other PLAYER in the NBA. When you break the rules, you pay the fine.
by Boney on Jun 2, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Considering the money he has made for the NBA, it would be foolish for them to fine him.
The only people who disagree with that are fans who have their feelings hurt.
by gahnki on Jun 2, 2009 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, I didn't know how that worked
So, LeBron can say or do whatever he wants because he makes the NBA some money?
What about the 11 other players on the roster? do people not buy their jerseys or show up to games to see them play as well?
pretty good analysis gahnki, not at all
by Boney on Jun 3, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it has been blown out of proportion...
…it seems as if every beat writer in the nation has gotten in on the act. But still, LeBron can’t have it both ways. If he wants to be a superstar and a global icon, he’s going to HAVE to get used to that kind of scrutiny. That’s just the way it is. Will he ever do something like this again, after the media reaction? Hell, no! But c’mon guys, don’t be like Lakers fans and act as if your guy is without flaw. He’s not. You can’t say LeBron hasn’t gotten a little more “cocky” this year, even though that’s a harsh word.
Remember NY, when he went for that last rebound in a clear attempt to get a triple-double? I have NO problem with that – the guy has every right to pad his stats during a performance like that. But afterwards, saying that he had “no idea” that he was approaching a triple-double? I have a problem with that. Just admit it, Lebron. Who’s going to criticize you? And did you hear what he said after being asked whether he had started to get tired during the Orlando series? He said, in all seriousness, that perhaps he had spoiled us all by putting on “50-point” performances all the time. Really?
Look, these are small things, and I know that I’m nit-picking, but I’m just trying to make the point that no one is without flaw. There shouldn’t be such outrage in Cleveland over the fact that for the first time, LeBron is taking a significant hit from the media. This will all go away as soon as he starts wowing us again next season with countless exploits on the court. Again, I am a huge LeBron fan and a passionate Kobe-hater, so there’s no bias here.
by Silkster on Jun 2, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dude, nobody here thinks LeBron is without flaw. Why would you even type that? Of course he’s not perfect. We’re just saying that we’re tired of hearing about this because it’s being blown way out of proportion. That doesn’t mean we can’t criticize LeBron when it’s necessary, but we’re upset at people labeling him a “sore loser” because they’re ignoring everything else he’s done in his career. This is one small incident, that’s the point.
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 2, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lebron is the face of the NBA
and largely these playoffs too. That’s why everyone having a fit about it, even though it’s not that big of a deal in reality. That’s the reality of Lebron though, he’s not a normal player.
by runningdonut on Jun 3, 2009 3:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This sums it up
“Show me a good loser, and I’ll show you a loser. " Vince Lombardi
Personally, I’m tired of seeing guys laughing and joking after a loss. It was refreshing to see that LeBron wasn’t happy. If the league wants to fine him for not speaking with the media, go ahead. He did break a rule, even though its a dumb rule. What do you expect to gain from a post game interview from a player from the losing team?
There is no rule or requirement that players shake hands after a game. Many players and even entire teams left the court without shaking hands after a loss in the past and many will do this in the future.
by LFort on Jun 3, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
why is it a dumb rule?
the postgame press conferences give us all immediate answers to our questions from the game. The league requires that the requested players and head coaches participate.
Do you think everyone is happy when they lose the games they play? Is Kurt Warner happy when he shakes Ben Roethlisberger’s hand at the end of the Super Bowl? No. It’s clear that Ben’s team outplayed Kurt’s team, resulting in victory, so you tip your cap and pretty much say “until next time”.
There’s nothing wrong with showing respect, but when you want respect from your peers and you complain about not getting respect (Mo initially not making the all star team, sportswriters writing off Cleveland) and you don’t show respect? You get what you get. Dancing and gyrating on the sidelines and playing air guitar during time outs when you’re blowing out your opponent is funny, but when you lose to them in the playoffs and the air guitar is put away and the silly family portraits are long gone, it’s time to be a man and slap hands with your opponent. Otherwise, you’re a sore loser.
by Boney on Jun 3, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What question needs to be answered by a player from a team that lost? “Excuse me LeBron, do you know who won?” “LeBron, I was in line at the concession stand, what was the final score?” Name three great answers that were provided in a post game interview by a losing player. Question: “Why did you Lose?” Answer: “Because they scored more points than us?” If a player wants to participate, great. If they don’t, great. Making it mandatory only gives the whiners a reason to complain when someone skips the interview or when they get pissed off and say something that the same whiners consider to be offensive.
Watch the post game footage of the Super Bowl that you reference. You’ll see that some players shook hands, others celebrated with friends and family, others went to the locker room. Football, Basketball and Baseball are pretty much the same. There is no rule in place that says you have to remain on the floor or field or that you have to shake hands. If this is so important, make it mandatory like Hockey.
by LFort on Jun 3, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’ve never seen players shake hands after losing a World Series or other playoff series in baseball. Why aren’t those player chastised like this?
by Buckeye Brad on Jun 3, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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