On Monday, Gilbert said he strongly disagreed with Reverend Jesse Jackson's criticism of his recent comments about James, who announced last week he was leaving Cleveland after seven seasons to join fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat.

Hours later, NBA commissioner David Stern fined Gilbert $100,000 for his "inappropriate" comments about James, and rebuked Jackson for his "mistaken" comments.

Stern, at the owners' meeting in Las Vegas, also said James was poorly advised not to tell the Cavaliers earlier that he was leaving them, and that the two-time league MVP's public announcement shouldn't have come in a made-for-television special that attracted nearly 10 million viewers.

Shortly after James' announcement, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cavaliers fans, vilifying the 25-year-old and calling his decision to bolt Cleveland as "narcissistic" and "cowardly behavior." He also guaranteed his team would win an NBA title "before the self-styled former 'King' wins one."

Gilbert took it a step further when he later told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he felt the NBA's two-time MVP gave less than his best for the Cavaliers during the playoffs in the past two years, and that James "has gotten a free pass." He also said James should be held accountable for his actions.

Jackson responded to Gilbert's remarks on Sunday by saying the Cavaliers owner sees James as a "runaway slave" and that Gilbert's comments put the player in danger.

"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers," Jackson said in a release from his Chicago-based civil-rights group. "His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner-employee relationship — between business partners — and LeBron honored his contract."

In a statement released by the team on Monday, Gilbert tried to put an end to the issue.

"I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it," Gilbert said. "Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."

Stern said it was OK for Gilbert to express his disappointment, but some of the comments were "a little bit extreme."

The commissioner also said James, Wade and Bosh violated no league rules in discussing free agency among themselves, and that the league wasn't investigating how the Heat managed to land all three on six-year deals.
 

Although Derek Fisher thought about joining that burgeoning superteam in Miami, he's staying in the Los Angeles Lakers' own collection of stars.

The veteran point guard said Monday he'll re-sign with the Lakers, sticking with Kobe Bryant and the defending two-time NBA champions after speaking with several teams as a free agent.

"I have decided to continue with Kobe, continue with our teammates and the fans of Los Angeles," Fisher said in a statement on his website. "While this may not be the most lucrative contract I've been offered this offseason, it is the most valuable. I am confident I will continue to lead this team on and off the court. Let the hunt for six begin."

The five-time NBA champion said he considered contract offers from several teams in the past two weeks after playing a key role in the Lakers' championship repeat. He spoke with the Heat in South Beach last weekend, entertaining the prospect of running an offense for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who all left free-agent money on the table to sign teammates of Fisher's ability.

The idea was enticing, but not enough to uproot his family and career from Los Angeles, where he has spent 11 of his 14 NBA seasons.

"At the end of the day, there's one person I could not turn away from," Fisher said. "Kobe Bryant asked me to stay but supported whatever decision I made. He and I have played together for 11 seasons, came into the league together as kids, and has been loyal to me even when others had doubts."
 

Add Udonis Haslem to the list of players taking less money to play for the Miami Heat next season.

Haslem signed a five-year deal Monday worth around $20 million, roughly $14 million less than he could have received if he accepted more lucrative offers from the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all took less money in their Heat deals last week to allow Miami the flexibility to sign certain players, and Haslem — Wade's teammate for all seven of their pro seasons — was at the top of their collective wish list.

"This is a combination of having a great opportunity to win, which is why we play this game, and an opportunity to still stay close to my family and be with my mother," said Haslem, whose mother has been ill for some time. "And also, the opportunity to be a part of something special. We all play this game to win. I've never been a person driven by money."

Counting what James, Wade and Bosh elected to forego in their deals, Heat players have now signed for more than $60 million less than what they could have commanded under the collective bargaining agreement.

"He is the epitome of what the Heat is about," team president Pat Riley said. "He is our anchor, he is a true warrior and a great professional."

That's why Wade reached out to Haslem constantly during the free-agent process, if only to remind him that was the case.

"I would be changing my DNA if I left just for money," Haslem said.