THE COMMISH SPEAKS — FINALLY!
David Stern finally broke his silence on LeBron James and he wasn’t a happy camper after all.
The NBA commissioner told reporters after today’s Board of Governors meeting at the Palms that while he had no problem with James leaving Cleveland for Miami, he wasn’t thrilled by the way in which he did it
"I think that the advice that he received on this was poor," Stern said. "His performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity shine through. But this decision was ill conceived, badly produced and poorly executed."
He also had harsh words for Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and he backed up his feelings by fining Gilbert and the Cavs $100,000 after Gilbert blasted James on his team’s website and in an online interview.
Funny, though. Stern was dismayed by the way James went about announcing his decision but didn’t fine him for what he did. He could have probably done so, citing some sort of violation of league policy or doing it in the best interests of the NBA a la Bowie Kuhn when he was commissioner of baseball. But the guy’s making $106 million. So if you fine him 100K, what’s the point?
BEAUBOIS IS CLUTCH
A wild finish to what was appearing to be a mundane contest between Milwaukee and Dallas. The Bucks appeared to have won it in regulation on Deron Washingtton’s putback with 3/10ths of a second to play. But Rodrigue Beaubois (remember that name) made a perfect lob to former New Mexico Lobo J.R. Giddens in the key and Giddens’ shot beat the buzzer and forced overtime at 66-66.
In OT, Washington nailed a 3-pointer to give Milwaukee the lead, 72-71. But Beaubois, who finished with 15 points, hit a runner in the key with 5.8 seconds left and the Mavs held on for a 73-72 win.
KENTUCKY REUNION
John Wall and the Wizards just tipped off against the Clippers in the Cox. The Clippers have Eric Bledsoe, Wall’s former Kentucky teammate and backcourt mate, on the floor. We’ll let you know how their head-to-head battle turns out.
