Kobe Bryant Still Wears the NBA's Most Popular Jersey

As the 2009-10 season approaches the midway point, last year's playoffs are a distant memory, right?

Perhaps not. The NBA released their list of the best-selling jerseys for the first half of the season, combining sales from the NBA Store in New York City and orders placed on NBAStore.com, and several of last year's most notable postseason heroes have made the most dramatic climbs.

After winning yet another ring, Kobe Bryant remains the top seller for the second year in a row (his real secret? They taste as good as they look!), followed by the marketing machine that is LeBron James.

The third and fourth spots, though, belong to Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose, respectively, who each climbed seven spots from their rankings last year.

At this time last year, Howard was already universally recognized as a bona fide superstar, setting an NBA record with over three million All-Star votes -- but it wasn't until he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals that it became fashionable to wear his uniform.

Playoff accolades seem responsible for Rose's rising popularity, as well; the Bulls aren't even as good as they were last year, but fans likely remember how Rose helped force the Celtics to an epic seven-game, seven-overtime series. (Kevin Garnett, meanwhile, slid four spots from No. 2 to No. 6 after watching the same series in street clothes.)

Of course, performing in the postseason isn't the only way to crack the list of top sellers -- sometimes simply switching jerseys is enough. Just ask Shaquille O'Neal, who's back in the top 10 following a trade to Cleveland, or Allen Iverson, who ranks No. 14 despite not even being on a roster for several weeks early in the season.

Best-Selling Jerseys:

1. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic
4. Derrick Rose - Chicago Bulls
5. Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat
6. Kevin Garnett - Boston Celtics
7. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets
8. Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics
9. Shaquille O'Neal - Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers
11. Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets
12. Steve Nash - Phoenix Suns
13. David Lee - New York Knicks
14. Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers
15. Kevin Durant - Oklahoma City Thunder

In terms of the best-selling merchandise by team, there are few surprises, at least not on top: the Lakers, with stars at every position, lead the pack, followed by the Celtics and Cavaliers.

The Knicks rank fourth, which may look odd until you realize New York also ranks fourth in home attendance -- despite a sub.-500 record, fans in the Big Apple turn out. (And, of course, the fact sales from the NBA Store in Manhattan are factored into these rankings doesn't hurt.)

A big tip of the hat to everyone picking up San Antonio (No. 9) gear; the Spurs have never had flashy appeal of a team like the Lakers or Celtics, but if you see a fan rocking the silver and black, you know you're dealing with someone who knows his hoops.

Best-Selling Team Merchandise:

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. New York Knicks
5. Chicago Bulls
6. Orlando Magic
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Miami Heat
9. San Antonio Spurs
10. Phoenix Suns

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