I'm pulling the salary card.

[GiantsFanatic]

What he ended up was practically the same money when you consider no income tax in Florida. When you take out what Ohio would have taken they end up being similiar.

Disagree, because James was averaging 13-15 million a year from 08-10, if he had stayed with Cleveland, he would have made over 20 million a year.

[realmofotalk]

Re-read what he said. We would be talking about 20 million a year before taxes.

[GiantsFanatic]

I know, and last time I checked, I doubt someone would be getting taxed 5-7 million a year if they are making 20-25 million a year, but then again I'm no accountant or anything.

[Slyder]

That's true, but I've always thought avoiding income taxes was an added bonus instead of the main reason Scottie Pippen...er, I mean, LeBron James signed with Miami. Besides, Shaq did leave Orlando for Los Angeles, despite California being the worst state there is for any taxes.

You're talking about Los Angeles and one of the PREMIER NBA Franchises in this case. I would say the difference in the cases is that either place LeBron could have stayed and won 55-65 games in either place, but with Shaq you had a choice of the premier franchises compared to a reletively new franchise in Orlando.

[love_that_reefer]

Shaq got to the finals in Orlando just to throw something in there.

[Slyder]

Shaq got to the finals in Orlando just to throw something in there.

If he stayed did they have the means to build the dynasty that they had in LA? There's no comparing. LA, NY, Boston, etc is going to draw people regardless of sports just because they are LA, NY, Boston, etc.

[love_that_reefer]

If he stayed did they have the means to build the dynasty that they had in LA? There's no comparing. LA, NY, Boston, etc is going to draw people regardless of sports just because they are LA, NY, Boston, etc.

Since there is a salary cap, I'm sure they could have.

[realmofotalk]

All I ask for is a more level playing field so that if the Padres enter an offseason where they'd really like to acquire a big bat for their line up and Carlos Lee is the only one available they have a reasonable shot in hell at signing the guy because other teams aren't able to throw a contract at him for more than he's worth just because they can.
Or so that when players they develop reach free agency the Padres aren't S.O.L. if all the guy wants is the largest contract someone will offer him.

Ok, now fire away.

Fuck you. It's so like you to play the salary card when poor teams are shit out of luck, but I'm sure you would sooner watch the Dodgers stay irrelevant than have Bud Selig actually force their owners out in the best interests of baseball, since what you are truly asking for is the league to be better FOR YOU.

[HollywoodLeo]

And it's just like you to assume I hold an opinion that I never stated so it can fit your whiny complaint.

edited to add: It's also just like you to respond to and whine about a post that was made almost 5 years ago.