NBA: LeBron James apologizes to Magic, after being fined by David Stern
By Kyle Hightower and Brian Schmitz
The Orlando Sentinel
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James says he’s sorry, Orlando. Oh, and a belated congratulations.
James learned an expensive lesson (well, relatively speaking) after being eliminated by the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Commissioner David Stern said Thursday the NBA will fine James $25,000 for his conduct. He left Amway Arena without addressing the media or shaking the hands of any Orlando players.
Stern said he spoke with James on Wednesday morning following his surgery in Cleveland to remove a benign growth in his jaw.
“He expressed to me that when he left the building and didn’t congratulate the Magic, he was wrong,” Stern said. “He will be talking to (the media) directly, but he asked me to express that to you, the Magic and the fans.”
Stern originally said he probably wouldn’t give James the usual standard fine for skipping a media decision, but changed his mind.
“I thought about it and did a little more work,” Stern said. “I decided it was inappropriate.”