This might be debatable but I don't think being a Knick has the same prestige as being a Laker.
Though Knicks have quite the legacy, the Lakers are kinda like the Yankees of the NBA.
Also, a couple other reasons why I think Melo would bolt NY for LA
1.) Nicer weather
2.) Being in the hollywood area could offer Melo more notoriety, endorsements and stardom.
3.)Playing with Kobe. Right now, Melo doesn't have another star in New York and I think he would love to be part of his own super-team. Also, think of the possible offense that Kobe and Melo would be capable of.
4.)The lure of the Buss and Kupchecks. I think after being shunned by Howard, they would pull out all the stops to land another big fish and return to prominence and/or relevance
Ha, well I agree with your first four words!
I don't think legacy matters, or else we'd see more people coming to Boston. Has Chicago really attracted anybody since Jordan left? We've seen guys pushing to go to the Clippers, Miami, Houston (places with no real legacies). Legacy doesn't really matter, IMO.
On your points, I'll give you point 1, nicer weather.
2.) I don't think Hollywood offers any more endorsement deals than NYC. NYC is the biggest market in North America, bigger than LA. All the top ad agencies and tv networks are actually headquartered in NY. Again NYC is like the mecca of the world!
3.)Playing with Kobe? In the '14-'15 season, Kobe will be 36 and coming off a major injury! Stars didn't flock to Washington to play with Jordan (though he was 38). 36 year old Kobe won't have much appeal, IMO.
4.)The lure of the Buss and Kupchecks. Sure they might pull out all the stops, but the Knicks (and maybe now Brooklyn), is the only team that can match and actually exceed LA in terms of spending power and the type of moves they can make. LA doesn't have any edge here. Buss might be a better owner than Dolan, but I don't think players care about owners much (or else people wouldn't be so eager to go the Clips). I don't know how much appeal Mitch Kupchak has. Signing Mike Brown and firing him after like 10 games? Trading Odom for nothing? Trading for Howard and losing him for nothing? Haven't they already traded away multiple future draft picks? Sure he's made some good moves too, but he's nothing special as a GM. Let's not forget he signed D'Antoni who Anthony reportedly pushed out of NYC.
I agree it's debatable which city is more appealing. But even if one is more desirable than the other, the difference is still extremely minimal, to the point they're basically even.
Any small market team is at risk of losing players to LA or NY, but NY and LA don't lose players to each other. The money and exposure and the team's ability to spend and take risks is pretty much even.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8