NBA Commissioner David Stern just won’t let this go away.  On Monday, several days after “The Decision”, the Commish provides his “opinion” on how LeBron James handled things.

“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 was quoted. 

Um, you run the freaking league don’t you?  How many days in advance were we all advised this farce of a show was going to occur?  It didn’t pop into your mind “Hey!  Maybe I should say something or put a stop to this.”?  Everybody knew what was going to happen and the man charged with lording over The Association didn’t have the juggernuts to step up and say something until days later?

Stern goes on to say “I think that the advice that he received on this was poor. His performance was fine. His honesty and his integrity shine through.”  Really?  Honesty and integrity?  First, he says that LeBron should have said something to Cleveland up front and shouldn’t have kept it a secret, and then he turns around and says the guy showed integrity and honesty? 

Oh, and to pile on Stern decides to fine the Cleveland Cavaliers $100,000 for the letter owner Dan Gilbert posted to fans of the team.  Of this, Stern said:

“Remarks by Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cavaliers, catalyzed as they may have been by hurt with respect to the manner and the fact for himself, his team, and particularly for the people of Cleveland, though understandable, were ill advised and imprudent,”

Let me get this straight.  Somebody who speaks their mind and is completely honest about their feelings gets dinged a sizable chunk of change while another who practiced deception and secrecy gets less than a slap on the hand?  Once and for all this proves that David Stern is LeBron James’ bitch.  In fact, he’s the bitch of all “superstar” players.  Yep.  I said it.  Biaaaatch. 

Crap!  How much will that cost me?

There are no teams in the NBA reported to be considering filing tampering charges, which is a good thing.  I agree that it’s LeBron’s decision to make.  Cavalier fans and their organization feel betrayed, and I’m fine with that as well.  The manner at which everything has come about, along with David Stern’s half-hearted attempt to look like he’s in charge of the players has been a travesty.  Unlike Pinocchio, this one still has his strings attached.