That Winning Feeling: Bryant, Lakers Remain Tops In Jersey Sales

Lakers G Kobe Bryant's No. 24 jersey is the best seller among all NBA players at the NBA Store in N.Y. and NBAStore.com since the start of the '09-10 season. Bryant's jersey has been the top seller among NBA players since the start of the '08-09 season. Magic C Dwight Howard and Bulls G Derrick Rose appear in the top five in jersey sales for the first time, with Howard rising from No. 10 on last year's list to No. 3, and Rose moving from No. 11 to No. 4. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to top the list of most popular NBA team merchandise. The Celtics rank No. 2 for a second consecutive year, while the Cavaliers rose from No. 4 on last year's list to No. 3 (NBA). FANHOUSE.com's Matt Watson notes several of last year’s "most notable postseason heroes have made the most dramatic climbs." Howard at this time last year was "already universally recognized as a bona fide superstar," but it was not until the Magic made the NBA Finals that it “became fashionable to wear his uniform." Rose's record-breaking performance in the Bulls' seven-game Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against the Celtics also seems "responsible for [his] rising popularity" (FANHOUSE.com, 1/20).