NBA fines the owner $ 100,000 for this . Before deciding to join the Miami Heat , James , a reigning two-time NBA MVP , looked at several teams , including New York , Chicago and Cleveland . Stern 's letter described James ' decision as a ` ` cowardly betrayal '' and said Gilbert 's words were ` ` ill - advised and imprudent '' Stern also criticized James ' handling of his decision to leave .
NBA fines the owner $ 100,000 for this . Stern 's letter described James ' decision as a ` ` cowardly betrayal '' and said Gilbert 's words were ` ` ill - advised and imprudent '' Stern also criticized James ' handling of his decision to leave .