Kobe Bryant’s jersey is again the NBA’s most popular
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No. 24 is No. 1 again.
Lakers star Kobe Bryant has the most popular jersey in the NBA for the second straight year, according to a list released by the league Wednesday and based on jersey sales at the NBA Store in New York City and on NBAStore.com since the start of the season.
Bryant’s No. 24 jersey is also the top seller in Europe and China.
Cleveland’s LeBron James remains at No. 2 on the list, but he could mount a challenge for the top spot next season if he changes jersey numbers as planned or goes to a new team. Boston’s Kevin Garnett, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Orlando’s Dwight Howard round out the top five.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant makes his first top 10 appearance at No. 9, and Bryant’s teammate Pau Gasol is No. 14 on the NBA’s list.
The Lakers are also the top sellers in the league, as the reigning NBA champs lead the list of popular team merchandise for the seventh time in eight years. The Boston Celtics are second, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks.
-- Chuck Schilken
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
