Heat’s LeBron James reclaims top spot on NBA’s most popular jerseys list
NEW YORK – Reigning NBA Finals MVP LeBron James of the Miami Heat reclaims the No.1 spot on the NBA top-selling jerseys list and the New York Knicks are the top-selling team for the first time since December 2004. The list is based on sales at the NBA Store on Fifth Avenue and on NBAStore.com from April 2012 through Nov. 26, 2012, a record breaking Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
James, who last held the top spot in April 2011, climbs from No. 4, taking the lead away from the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, who slips to No. 5. At No. 2 on the list is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, who, after making his NBA Finals debut in June, catapults from the No. 8 spot. Also included in the top five are the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (No. 3), and New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony (No. 4).
Since 2001, Bryant has claimed the No. 1 position six times in the bi-annual survey, while James has held it three times.
The Knicks rose from No. 2 to No.1 to emerge as the top-selling team, overtaking the top spot from the Bulls, who are No. 4 this season. The 2012 NBA champion Heat came in at No. 2, the Lakers at No. 3, and Boston Celtics at No. 5.
Additional highlights:
- The Thunder’s Russell Westbrook debuts at No. 12.
- The Celtics’ Rajon Rondo and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul each move up four spots from last year to Nos. 6 and 10, respectively.
- The Lakers were the only team with three players on the list, with Bryant (No. 3), and new additions Dwight Howard (No. 9) and Steve Nash (No. 13).
NBAStore.com had its largest Cyber Monday in history on Nov. 26, with sales up double-digits over 2011. This year marks the seventh season that adidas has served as the official oncourt uniform and apparel provider of the NBA.
Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys: Top 10 Most Popular Team Merchandise:
- LeBron James, Miami Heat 1. New York Knicks
- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder 2. Miami Heat
- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 3. Los Angeles Lakers
- Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks 4. Chicago Bulls
- Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls 5. Boston Celtics
- Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics 6. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat 7. Brooklyn Nets
- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers 8. Los Angeles Clippers
- Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers 9. San Antonio Spurs
- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers 10. Dallas Mavericks
- Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets
- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers
- Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
- Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks