He speaks.
Updated, with new headline too.
Despite sting of defeat, James says Cavs on right track
LeBron happy in Cleveland despite loss
By Tom Withers
National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player LeBron James insisted Sunday that Cleveland were on the right track, despite their painful failure to reach the NBA finals.
James couldn't bring himself to address the media or congratulate the players of the Orlando Magic on Saturday night, after the Magic defeated the Cavs in game six of the Eastern Conference finals to reach the league's championship series.
But as he and teammates gathered for the last team meeting of the season here on Sunday, James tried to put a positive spin on the Cavaliers season.
Cleveland notched the best record in the regular season with 66 victories, won their division and swept to victory in four games in each of their first two playoff series.
Then they ran into the surprising Magic, who had already ousted reigning champions Boston in seven games, and even "King" James's heroics couldn't save them.
"You want to continue to get better, that's all you can ask," said James, whose team lost to Boston in the conference finals last year.
"We got better this season and I feel this team will be better next season. You don't want to take a step backward. I thought we went forward from the Boston series to this year and hopefully we can go forward one more time next year."
James certainly did all he could to take his team one step further.
His buzzer-beating 3-pointer saved Cleveland in game two against Orlando. He had 21 points, 17 in the second half, in game five, a contest that saw him finish with 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.
Now the big question exercising Cleveland - the club's management, his teammates and Cavs fans - is how this defeat will influence his future with the team.
The Cavaliers can offer him a contract extension in July. He can extend the contract up to four years, or play out his current contract that ends after next season and make a move via free agency. He could also exercise a player option for the 2010-11 season.
"I haven't thought about it just yet," James said. "I'm just going to take time off from basketball and not think about contracts or the game, period, and relax with my family."
James defended his actions in Orlando on Saturday, when he strode off the court - to a smattering of taunts from Magic fans - without congratulating his opponents.
"I just didn't have much to say," said James, who said he had since e-mailed Orlando star Dwight Howard. "One thing about me you've got to understand - it is hard for me to congratulate somebody after just losing to him.
"I'm a winner. That's not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you are not going to congratulate them (for) beating you up. That doesn't make sense to me."
Last edited by duncan228; 05-31-2009 at 08:23 PM.
Actually, it is.“It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a compe or. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”
What a ing got. you LeBron, you pussy.That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a compe or. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.
Obviously LeBron doesn't know what sportsmanship is.
Instead of snuffing this LBJ just through more gas on the fire
wow i knew more about sportsmanship when I played in my little YMCA league at age 6 or 7.
"It doesn't make sense to shake someone's hand."- lmao
Whether you can take a loss or not with class is indicative to you being a winner. No matter how pissed of you are, come out and congratulate the opposing team, especially with the cav's stupid fool around pregame antics....they can't even shake someone's hand?
I've lost alot of respect for Lecry, If I remember right Kobe did shake hands back in '03 when the Spurs knock them out. Any Spurs fan remember that since you probably watched the ending of that game.
he emailed that
he knew he is wrong and did not want to say that to someone in person incase they followed it up with a question
what a classes jackass
and he is not a winner he has not won a ring
he is just like barkley and mail,mailman,stockton
James > Parker got
not in class
Still butt-hurt about '05, '06, '07 and '08?Move on.
ducks is just a FGT
This coming from a "lakaluva". Oh, the irony.
Why you are all saying this? At least he is being honest. He is right.
Do you know what it feels like to lose in the semifinals, meaning you are not going to advance, advance to your dream? to the chance you have been waiting for all season long? Do you guys picture that feeling??!!
Obviously not. Otherwise you would know that that feeling is very hard to cope with, when you are putting everything of you all season long just for that goal, everything you gave. so of course you are feeling like the world is gone, and you dont feel like doing things, talking to the press, put a smile on your face and shaking hands. Instead you want some minute alone, to let it rest and go home, start vacation, overthink of something.
Thats normal, thats what almost everyone would do and i think he did the right thing, just go away silently and speak afterwards.
You all have personal hate against lebron, but dont use this against him, thats BS.
No, it's not and no, he didn't.
What a shame. He's still got a lot of growing up to do.
Does this guy not have a PR agent?? WTF is he doing right now?
I don't really care for Lebron as he has been referring to himself in 3rd person for years now.
But the world raging over Lebron for not shaking hands has to be one of the dumbest things ever. It's hilarious.
Well then if he thinks it makes no sense then why does he do it when the Cavs win series? If you win a series then walk off the floor. He had no trouble staying on the floor after beating Detroit and Atlanta. Call it for what it is a piss poor sport.
Wow Lebron. As crushed as I am about losing this series, seeing Lebron acting like a ing coward makes this even worse. I love the guy and I want him here for his entire career, but what he just said is ed up. You cant defend that. you Lebron you nutless unhumble son of a . Man up and admit the better team won. As a Cavs fan, I am embarassed about this.
Big ups to any Cleveland fan, like you, that, in spite of this series loss, can maintain some perspective on good sportsmanship. I agree with your every word - and I'm not even a Cavs fan.Wow Lebron. As crushed as I am about losing this series, seeing Lebron acting like a ing coward makes this even worse. I love the guy and I want him here for his entire career, but what he just said is ed up. You cant defend that. you Lebron you nutless unhumble son of a . Man up and admit the better team won. As a Cavs fan, I am embarassed about this.
If LeBron truly considers himself to be a great player and role model and if he really considers himself as a student of NBA history, he should know that this post-game gesture of sportsmanship is as symbolic and traditional as the pre-game handshake. I can't get with his piss-poor excuse-making and feel his acting like the 24 year-old, spoiled brat that he really is.
The butthurt is immeasurable.
Article updated in first post.
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