What is your guys take on Lebron's 'reason' for not shaking hands / talking

[msc]

What if it were Kobe that walked off without the congratulatory handshake? 

I'll tell you what, every sports talk show and written article across the country would be talking 24/7 about it and this thread would be 8 pages long of Kobe-bashing. 

I heard David Stern on Dan Patrick yesterday and it was almost embarrassing how weak Stern was.  He said he'd need to talk to Lebron about it to understand his position before any fine would be levied and that he wasn't going to fine him.  What?  If it were any other player, forget about Kobe, let's say it was Duncan as Lurker astutely pointed out, he would be fined for bailing on the press conference.  That's the rule.  I get that Lebron is Stern's poster boy for his league, but rules are rules, no? 

[Reality]

Or maybe Lebron was being a selfish jerk, as Welfare Fraud posted, sadly is being selfish and pampered what we have come to expect the NBAs elite to be.  Except for Timmy Dunks and many of the low ego emission Spurs of course.

Shows how little you know.  Duncan is regularly called out for not meeting with the press after games.  Hollinger even referred to it in the articlew he wrote about James.

Now go back to your senseless rambling.

Timmy Dunks egotistical?    You may be biLakerSpurs but you are just barely clinging to the Spurs part.
Good grief. 

[WayOutWest]

I get that Lebron is Stern's poster boy for his league, but rules are rules, no? 

As a fan of Kobe and the Lakers, that comment concerns me greatly! 

[msc]

I get that Lebron is Stern's poster boy for his league, but rules are rules, no? 

As a fan of Kobe and the Lakers, that comment concerns me greatly! 

Haha! I thought someone would give me grief for that one ... just didn't think it would be one of my fellow, purple Kool-Aid drinking brethren!   

Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Tim Duncan, etc. are always going to get calls.  It's the star treatment and that's part of the NBA and always will be ... so don't panic, WOW 

[WayOutWest]

LeBron got fined 25K by Stern.  He probably had that much on him at the time of the fine.

[Lurker]

LeBron got fined 25K by Stern.  He probably had that much on him at the time of the fine.

I would bet it was "negotiated" during Stern's conversation with James.

Stern:  Well, LeBron, I need to still look strong.  Can't you spare a few thousand?

LBJ: David, you know how competitive I am.  Look at the money and media attention I have brought the league.  How about $10,000?

Stern: LeBron!  You know that doesn't even reach the threshhold of a slap on the wrist.  $25,000?

LBJ: OK.  But I get the championship next year.  I know it was Kobe's turn.

Stern:  No promises but we'll see.

[westkoast]

LeBron got fined 25K by Stern.  He probably had that much on him at the time of the fine.

I would bet it was "negotiated" during Stern's conversation with James.

Stern:  Well, LeBron, I need to still look strong.  Can't you spare a few thousand?

LBJ: David, you know how competitive I am.  Look at the money and media attention I have brought the league.  How about $10,000?

Stern: LeBron!  You know that doesn't even reach the threshhold of a slap on the wrist.  $25,000?

LBJ: OK.  But I get the championship next year.  I know it was Kobe's turn.

Stern:  No promises but we'll see.

Lord Sternfish strikes again!

Considering its rumored that Kobe and Lebron made over 15 million a pop for all the endorsements so far this year....I am sure he's going to call his money man.

[rickortreat]

I thought it was a $25K manditory fine for blowing off the press conference.  Should have been more if he wanted to send a statement about being a bad sport.

[JoMal]

I would be very surprised if LeBron does not do something early next season for the Magic players that will be splashy and noticeable to make up for dissing them after that last game.

[Lurker]

I would be very surprised if LeBron does not do something early next season for the Magic players that will be splashy and noticeable to make up for dissing them after that last game.

Like take them to Disneyworld?

[JoMal]

I would be very surprised if LeBron does not do something early next season for the Magic players that will be splashy and noticeable to make up for dissing them after that last game.

Like take them to Disneyworld?

Like buying them Disneyworld.

[Lurker]

I would be very surprised if LeBron does not do something early next season for the Magic players that will be splashy and noticeable to make up for dissing them after that last game.

Like take them to Disneyworld?

Like buying them Disneyworld.

I forgot the old guy was reading the thread.  Should I break it down for you?  Let's just start with where Disneyworld is located and then try to imagine why the team name is "Magic".

[JoMal]

I would be very surprised if LeBron does not do something early next season for the Magic players that will be splashy and noticeable to make up for dissing them after that last game.

Like take them to Disneyworld?

Like buying them Disneyworld.

I forgot the old guy was reading the thread.  Should I break it down for you?  Let's just start with where Disneyworld is located and then try to imagine why the team name is "Magic".

Then he will buy them the Everglades.

Sheesh.

[msc]

I thought it was a $25K manditory fine for blowing off the press conference.  Should have been more if he wanted to send a statement about being a bad sport.

Yeah, 25k is the standard.  I don't think it should have been any more or any less.  It should have just been enforced right away as it would have with any other player in the league.  I guess better late than never.  I know that Stern handed out the fine only after taking a ration of shyte on the sports talk shows after he did the Dan Patrick show and Colin Cowerd show earlier in the week.  He wasn't going to fine him, he saw the public backlash and he audibled.