LeBron was Wrong

UPDATE, June 4, 11:32 p.m. -- The NBA has fined LeBron James $25,000 for skipping the post-game press conference following Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

I'm going to add my two cents on the "LeBron James poor sportsmanship" debate. For those who do not know what I'm referring to, after LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated by the Orlando Magic Saturday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron walked off the court without congratulating the Magic players.

No dap. No pound. No head nod. Nothing.

Sunday afternoon, LeBron explained his actions by saying "It's hard for me congratulate someone after you lose to them. I'm a winner. It's not being a poor sport or anything like that. But somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them on beating you up. It don't make sense to me."

Sorry, LeBron. I disagree. You're wrong.

You should have congratulated the Magic on their victory. Despite not helping you very much in the series, your teammates congratulated the Magic players. I'm sure they were disappointed, too.

For those fans, who're defending LeBron, feel free to do so; but, this isn't LeBron's first season in the NBA. He's been in the league six years; and, he has not yet won an NBA title which means his seasons have ended with disappointments before this one.

I know Dwight Howard jacked up a ridiculous three point shot with the game clock winding down Saturday night; and, Dwight was wrong for taking the shot. I'm sure LeBron was pissed at Superman for the shot; but, two wrongs don't make a right.

I'm not hating on LeBron by any means; but, I'm not giving him a pass because he's only 24 years old. He was wrong.

Let's move on to the other part of LeBron's actions after the loss Saturday night.

Not only did LeBron diss the Magic Saturday night; he dissed the media, too. As a member of the media, I hate his decision. I know the NBA has announced LeBron will not be fined for declining to speak with the media; and, I believe that's a cop out. Star or not. LeBron should have been fined some amount of money for not speaking with the media.

Writers have story deadlines; and, obviously, the media wanted to hear from LeBron after the loss. Clearly, I'm assuing the media contacted the Cavaliers (and the NBA) media reps before the game ended and requested LeBron be one of the Cavs players to be interviewed. The fact LeBron bailed on the media is not something which should be brushed off so easily. I know LeBron has been very cooperative with the media in his young career. He should have continued that cooperation after Game 6. Period.