Upon further review, LeBron James' decision not to shake hands with the Orlando Magic or speak to the media after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals is going to cost him. And more than just on the sports talk shows.

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced before Game 1 of the NBA finals on Thursday that he had decided to fine James $25,000 for his actions. This was after Stern initially said on Monday that James would not be fined. Stern informed James, who is recovering from surgery to remove a growth from his right jaw, in a phone call on Wednesday.

"[LeBron] expressed to me that when he left the building and did not meet the media or did not congratulate the Magic, he was wrong," Stern said. "He'll be talking to you I assume directly as he gets better and stronger, but he asked that I express to the media, the Magic and the fans his apology, and particularly the young fans, because he knows he has a responsibility to all of our fans, and that sportsmanship is appropriate whether you win or whether you lose." This is the first time in James' career he's faced any sort of discipline of this nature from the league. It probably did not help James' case that he was not repentant about the matter when he did discuss it with the media on Sunday. The NBA has fined players in the past for skipping media sessions, including Michael Jordan.

"The more I thought about it I thought there were two things we had to deal with, which was the media and the failure to congratulate," Stern said. "LeBron and I discussed it, and I'll leave the rest for him to talk about, but I think it was important. Certainly as it related to the media, we have a rule, you guys know that we've had some interesting issues over the years with some of our coaches and the like, and it was inappropriate for me to give someone a pass here."