Exactly this recent notion that it comes down to taxes just because Lebron and friends teamed up is absurd. It's different for everyone as proven by Dwight Howard

Melo had no problems coming here. He actually pushed Denver to trade him here. Albeit he screwed it all up when he said he'd be willing to go to the Nyets to secure his money. Forced Dolans hand and the rest is history.

Bonn1997 wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I can see making a point for excessive property tax in the metropolitan area but it's still NYC. Common man choose to live in NYC and the areas directly surround it because they want to be in the middle of everything. We are talking about NBA players here. Multi millionaires. If players did not want I come here it's because they knew Dolan was anidiot. With Phil here that will change. You always have the option of renting in the city and building a mansion down south where you can live in the offseason if you are single. Plenty of options if you have a family too in white plains, hamptons and jersey suburbs

The fact that the franchise is awful is probably the biggest factor. I am hoping that Phil changes that. As a Knicks fan, all I really ever have is hope. I was referring to income tax, but you are certainly right on the property tax situation but that is a personal choice. I actually think the league may address the issue in the next CBA/Lockout. Not much we can do about it at this point though.

But that's assuming there is an issue. People in small markets will say that the the tax differences *help* level the playing field. You want all the advantages of living in NYC over Charlotte? Fine but you will pay a higher tax.

I think it is an issue because players continue to try and build super teams in income tax free states via free agency, which can't be done without players truly taking less. Nobody has seemed interested in doing that yet.

You mean Lebron and Bosh?

Yes, and Howard would be in that same category. I do think Miami had an advantage in building using MLE and stuff like that because they can effectively pay more.

I doubt money had anything to do with it for Howard. He left about $30 mil on the table so that he could save $500K or 1 mil a year in taxes? That doesn't make sense. You don't change the whole salary structure because 2 guys chose to play in Miami. There would have to be evidence of a massive league-wide problem.

Didnt the owners lockout the players at least partially in response to what the big three did in Miami? Also, you can't discount players grossing 3-4 mil more but netting less than a peer who has a cap hold 3-4 mil less in a income tax free state. It is a tremendous advantage for teams in those states when they negotiate contracts with players.