Players for the Raptors and Grizzlies "will now be
taxed at virtually the same rate as their counterparts on
U.S.-based teams" because of a "big tax break courtesy" of
the NBA's new CBA, according to Craig Daniels of the TORONTO
SUN. All NBA teams may offer a player they sign a bonus
worth "as much as" 25% of total compensation, regardless of
the salary cap, but "the key point" is that for U.S
residents in Canada, the bonus is taxed at 15%. Raptors GM
Glen Grunwald: "This is something we really wanted. ... That
was key a win for us." Grunwald said that the bonus "may be
sweetened further, to as much as" 30% (TORONTO SUN, 1/12).
ALL ALONE: NEWSWEEK's Starr & Samuels report that NBPA
Exec Dir Billy Hunter "made a symbolic stand" during the
lockout when agent David Falk arrived one day at union
headquarters in N.Y. for "strategizing." Sources say
staffers "steered Falk into a conference room where he sat
for almost two hours before realizing that Hunter wasn't
going to meet with him." One NBA veteran All-Star, on the
final talks: "We told (Hunter), 'Go in and get a deal and
leave the two angry brothers [NBPA President Patrick Ewing
and Heat C Alonzo Mourning] home'" (NEWSWEEK, 1/19 issue).
HILL SAYS ITS BEANS: Pistons F Grant Hill dismissed a
report that he may be a target of his fellow players ire due
to his low profile during the lockout: "I have my
principles, and I am not about to compromise my principles
because of what somebody might say about me. If they're
going to shoot me for that, fine" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/12). One
NBA "superstar" said that during the lockout, a lot of
players "had to stand up for things that were unpopular and
all of us took a hit. (Grant Hill) and a couple of guys who
decided to be quiet and keep themselves clean better expect
to get dirty come game time" (NEWSWEEK, 1/19 issue).
NBA NOTES: In Philadelphia, Mike Bruton writes under
the header, "Rebellion Of NBA Fans A Media Myth," and cites
a 76ers source who said that "fewer than 10 season-ticket
accounts" were closed during the lockout (PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER, 1/12)....In N.Y. Peter Vecsey writes that as part
of the new CBA, random drug testing of players will cover
marijuana, steroids, cocaine and heroin. However, also
being tested will be coaches and trainers, who "must, upon
request, give a urine sample once" (N.Y. POST, 1/12).
