Kevin Garnett is the league's best selling jersey so far this year, according to sales at the NBA Store in Manhattan and on NBA.com.
Garnett was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics this off season and since then sales of his jerseys have tripled since last year, as has sales of Celtics merchandise.
If Garnett finishes the season in the top spot, he'll be the first Celtics player to finish in the top five in jersey sales since Paul Pierce came in fifth during the 2003-04 season. It's also one of the rare times that a big man is on the top of the list. Shaquille O'Neal last took the jersey title after he was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Miami Heat in 2004.
Garnett, who is averaging 19.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, still isn't raking in the endorsements, though he's been solid in the ESPN commercialsand as the controversial role of the milkman in the Gatorade AM spot.
The most interesting Garnett business to watch will be his shoe sales. He signed with adidas in 2003after deals with both Nike and And 1. His shoe this year, the TS Lightspeed KG, is unremarkable--the only key feature that speaks to Garnett being a tribute to his friend, former NBA player Malik Sealy.
Since big men have never really sold shoes well, it should be interesting to see what adidas can do with Garnett should the Celtics--who are now 30-6, having lost three of their last four games--win the championship.
Top 15 Jerseys:
1. Kevin Garnett
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Allen Iverson
4. LeBron James
5. Steve Nash
6. Dwyane Wade
7. Gilbert Arenas
8. Dirk Nowitzki
9. Stephon Marbury
10. Carmelo Anthony
11. Kevin Durant
12. Paul Pierce
13. Tracy McGrady
14. Dwight Howard
15. Chris PaulTop 10 Teams (Jersey Sales):
1. Boston Celtics
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. New York Knicks
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Miami Heat
6. Phoenix Suns
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
9. San Antonio Spurs
10. Dallas MavericksJersey Leaders (End Of Year):
2002-03 Kobe Bryant
2003-04 LeBron James
2004-05 Shaquille O'Neal
2005-06 Dwayne Wade
2006-07 Kobe Bryant
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