Stern criticizes James for TV spectacle, fines Gilbert for lashing out
After taking several days to gather his thoughts, NBA commissioner David Stern weighed in on free-agent superstar LeBron James picking Miami over Cleveland and the way he made "The Decision."
Stern had no problem with James leaving the Cavaliers but wasn't happy that he delivered the announcement in an hourlong, nationally televised special.
The commissioner was also dismayed over Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert's response and fined the Cavs $100,000 for the outburst.
"I'd like to make the point -- forcefully -- that our players, having negotiated for the right to be free agents at some point in their career, are totally within their rights to seek employment with any other team," Stern said after Monday's Board of Governors summer meeting at the Palms. "That's something we agreed to. That's something we embrace. That's our system.''
Stern said James received poor advice about making his free-agency announcement on ESPN.
''I think he's both a terrific player and a very good person. Had he asked my advice in advance, I might have suggested that he advise Cleveland at an earlier time than apparently he did that he was leaving,'' Stern said. "I would have advised him not to embark on what has been come known as 'The Decision.' His performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity shined through. But this decision was ill-conceived, badly produced and poorly executed."
Gilbert, who lashed out at James on the Cavaliers' website shortly after his announcement, also didn't handle the situation well in Stern's opinion.
"I think that remarks by Dan Gilbert ... were ill-advised and imprudent," Stern said.
While there was discussion about how to deal with free agency in the future, Stern said, no owner came forth with a tampering or collusion charge against the Heat.
"There's nothing here at this time that is causing us to launch an investigation," he said. "I think that from what I know and what I read in the press, Miami did a pretty good job of clearing out cap space and putting together a plan that would attract three free agents to Miami."
With the league's collective bargaining agreement less than a year away from expiration, Stern also addressed the NBA's negotiations with the players' union.
"We're asking for fundamental changes in the system, and the players, as (union chief) Billy Hunter has said publicly, would very much like the present system to continue," Stern said.
Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913.
GILBERT DEFENDS STANCE ON LEBRON
Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert said he "strongly" disagrees with Jesse Jackson's criticism of his recent comments about superstar LeBron James.
After James' announcement last week that he was leaving Cleveland to join the Miami Heat, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cavs fans, ripping the 25-year-old and calling his decision "cowardly behavior." Later, Gilbert told The Associated Press that he felt the NBA's two-time Most Valuable Player quit during the playoffs the past two years and that James "has gotten a free pass."
On Sunday, Jackson responded to Gilbert's remarks by saying the Cavs owner sees James as a "runaway slave" and that Gilbert's comments put the player in danger.
In a statement released by the team Monday, Gilbert tried to put an end to the issue.
"I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it," Gilbert said. "Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."
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