They're Playing Basketball (and selling jerseys and teaching me words)

Kobe, LeBron, Dwight have NBA's hottest-selling jerseys
By J.E. Skeets/BALL DONT LIE/spots.yahoo.com

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has retained the No. 1 spot on the NBA's most popular jerseys list, a ranking he has held since the start of the '08-09 season. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the '09-10 season.

Kobe is on top (don't say it!), LeBron James'(notes) Cavs' thread is second, Magic man Dwight Howard(notes) is third, and checking in at number four, ahead of superstar Dwyane Wade(notes), is Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose(notes).

The biggest surprise, of course, is Rose, who climbed seven spots from his No. 11 ranking last year.

Here's a look at the Top 15:

1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
2. LeBron James, Cavaliers
3. Dwight Howard, Magic
4. Derrick Rose, Bulls
5. Dwyane Wade, Heat
6. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
7. Chris Paul, Hornets
8. Paul Pierce, Celtics
9. Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers
10. Pau Gasol, Lakers
11. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
12. Steve Nash, Suns
13. David Lee, Knicks
14. Allen Iverson, 76ers
15. Kevin Durant, Thunder

In related NBA cash news, the Lakers once again top the list of most popular NBA team merchandise. The Celtics hold on to the No. 2 spot for the second year in a row and the Cavaliers move up from No. 4 last season to No. 3.

Black Mamba reigns once again. As much as it pains most of America the bad guy is still selling the most jerseys. That's because we all like the villain deep down. Plus, the prospect of Lebron leaving the Cavs might have dampered prospects for his jersey sales a bit. Of course King James has the upper hand on Kobe in head-to-head games this year after the Cavs four point win against the Lake Show last nite.

In any event it seemed unfamothable in 2004 when Kobe was Public Enemy #1 that he would ever be a fan favorite again, much less the most popular player in the league. But America loves it some redemption so I guess Tiger has that to look forward to. And in no time he'll be teaching me words on Sesame Street.



P.S. - Wouldn't it have been great if at the end the muppet said, "Kobe, maybe you should practice some words you don't understand so well, NO, STOP and DON'T.