LeBron James finally talked about not making the NBA Finals, and insists Cleveland's loss to Orlando will not impact his future with the Cavaliers.

James stormed out of Amway Arena without speaking to the media Saturday night after the Cavs were eliminated with a 103-90 loss to the Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The league MVP, who also did not shake hands with Olympic teammate Dwight Howard or congratulate any Orlando players as he left the floor, said yesterday that he's happy in Cleveland and feels the Cavs made major progress this season.

"I'm great. I feel great about this situation that's going on," James said. "You want to continue to get better, that's all you can ask. We got better and I feel this team will be better next season. You don't want to take a step backward. I think we went forward from the Boston series (a Game 7 loss in the semis) last year.

"Hopefully we can go forward next year."

The Cavaliers won 66 regular-season games and their second Central Division title this season.

James, who averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists against Orlando, said he hasn't given any thought to signing a contract extension with the Cavs this summer.

Cleveland can offer the extension on July 18 — the three-year anniversary of James' signing of his previous deal.

"I don't know," James said when asked if he'll sign. "I haven't thought about it just yet. I'm just going to take time off from basketball and not think about contracts or the game period. I'll relax with my family we'll figure out once it comes from them."

James said he sent an e-mail to Howard following Saturday's game.

"It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them," he said. "I'm a winner. It's not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them. That doesn't make sense to me. I'm a competitor. That's what I do. It doesn't make sense for me to go over and shake somebody's hand."

MAGIC

NELSON MAY PLAY

If he's judged healthy enough to return within the next few days, Orlando all-star point guard Jameer Nelson will play against the team he was instrumental in beating twice this season — the Los Angeles Lakers — in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday night in Los Angeles.

General manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel yesterday that Nelson would only play if he passes "a litany of tests" and the club is comfortable with a decision that won't risk his future.

Nelson has not played since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder on Feb. 3 against the Dallas Mavericks. He underwent what was believed to be season-ending surgery on Feb. 19, but his rehabilitation is dramatically ahead of schedule, as much as two months.

Smith said Nelson had an MRI as recently as last week and has participated in contact drills.

"It's up in the air. We'll see how Jameer looks the next few days," Smith said. "There's a few more things we have to get comfortable with. We're looking at the pros and cons. Doctors will have to talk to doctors. If we're at a place where Jameer can help us accomplish our goals, then maybe he can play and give us some more punch."

Nelson keyed the sweep against the Lakers.

He scored 15 of his 27 points in a third-quarter stretch to spark a 106-103 victory in Orlando on Dec. 20, and scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth period of a 109-103 Magic win in L.A. on Jan. 16.

Nelson also will have input in the final decision.

"Would I like to play? Of course. I'm a competitor," Nelson said. "But I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize me long-term."

CAVALIERS

WALLACE MAY RETIRE

Cleveland center Ben Wallace is considering retirement following the Cavaliers' elimination from the playoffs.

Wallace, a four-time NBA defensive player of the year, said yesterday that a combination of injuries, declining production and a loss of passion for the game has him thinking about quitting. He plans to sit down with his family before deciding his next move.

The 14-year veteran suffered a broken leg this season and suffered from tendinitis in his knees. Wallace has one season left on a contract worth $14 million, but says the money will not be a factor on whether he decides to play another year.

TV RATINGS

INCREASE IN EAST

Orlando's Eastern Conference championship-clinching victory over Cleveland drew more than 8.3 million viewers, capping a strong series for TNT.

The network averaged 8.6 million viewers for the six-game series, a 37-percent increase over its 2008 conference finals coverage. TNT showed the West finals last year, drawing about 6.3 million per game for the Lakers' victory over San Antonio.

Overall, TNT averaged a 3.1 rating for its 43 NBA playoff games, a 19-percent increase from a year ago.