LeBron James says that he wasn't being a poor sport when he stormed off the court on Saturday night without congratulating the Magic on their win.

Orlando eliminated Cleveland, and advanced to the NBA Finals, with their victory.

James immediately left the court after the final buzzer, and departed from the locker room before the media was allowed in the Cavaliers' locker room.

"It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them. I mean, I'm a winner. That's not being a poor sport or anything like that," he told reporters Sunday in Cleveland. "Somebody beat you up, you're not going to congratulate them on beating you up.

"I'm a competitor," James added. "That's what I do. It don't make sense to me to go up and shake somebody's hand."

Orlando's Dwight Howard, a teammate of LeBron's on the US Olympic team, said he received an e-mail from the MVP later on.

"I just thought he would have said something to me, or said something to the team. He's probably upset, probably hurt and understand that, respect it. One day we'll see each other," Howard admitted, "and I'll have to wait until then."

The Orlando center added that he was "real surprised" by LeBron's actions.

Via News Tribune

Cleveland Cavaliers

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