NBA Names Kobe Bryant MVJ (Most Valuable Jersey) For 2008-09

April 30, 2009: The NBA will soon name its MVP for the 2008-09 season, and Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are seen as the front runners. But Kobe already has been named MVJ - most valuable jersey - as sales for his Los Angeles Lakers’ No. 24 reclaimed the No. 1 spot, which he held in 2006-07, from the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett. The Lakers also claimed the No. 1 team merchandise spot for the sixth time in seven seasons, bumping last year's leader, the Celtics., to No. 2. The lists are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York and NBAStore.com from the start of the 2008-09 NBA season through April 2009. Sales of NBA jerseys increased 7% over last year at the NBA Store and NBAStore.com combined., per the NBA. After Bryant, James of the Cleveland Cavaliers regained the No. 2 spot, where he ranked in 2005-06; and the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul climbed to No. 3, his highest ranking. Garnett came it at No. 4, while Celtics' teammates Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were No. 7 and No. 12, respectively. Allen Iverson, in his first season with the Detroit Pistons, came in at No. 5, the Miami Heats' Wade was No. 6, the New York Knicks' Nate Robinson was No. 8, Kobe's teammate Pau Gasol was No. 9 and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, who was named the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year presented by Kia Motors, made it to the Top Ten for the first time at No. 10. The Chicago Bulls’ 2009 T-Mobile Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose topped all first-year players, coming in at No. 11. On the team list behind the Lakers and Celtics were the Knicks, Cavaliers and Bulls round out the top five. The 2008-09 season is the third with adidas as the official on-court uniform and apparel provider for the NBA.

Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
3. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
5. Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons
6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
7. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
8. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
9. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
10. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
11. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
12. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
13. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
14. Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns
15. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Top 10 Most Popular Team Merchandise
1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Boston Celtics
3. New York Knicks
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Chicago Bulls
6. New Orleans Hornets
7. Phoenix Suns
8. Miami Heat
9. Detroit Pistons
10. San Antonio Spurs

Source: NBA

Back to NBA

Back to Home Page