Camila Sosa
With the playoffs already settled in the first round, the league announced yesterday which were the best-selling jerseys of the NBA in the second half of the season and there were definitely a couple of major changes from the one unveiled earlier in the year. On this list are the five best-selling jerseys so far in the 2021-2022 campaign, plus some interesting facts about the player or the sales of their jerseys themselves.
5.- Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
Previously ranked as the sixth best-selling jersey, Jayson Tatum’s huge second half as the Celtics propelled him into the league’s top five as he was an MVP candidate on a Boston team that transformed into contender within the Eastern Conference overnight. They finished the season as the best defense among all franchises, and secured the second place in the conference heading into the postseason.
4.- Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets
Still occupying fourth place of the ranking, KD’s jersey was the only one that maintained its position with respect to the early season vote. The Nets star continues to be one of the best players on the face of the earth, and if injuries allow it, he could easily be a strong MVP candidate year in and year out. What’s more, the Nets finished seventh in the Eastern Conference.
3.- Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
The best three-point shooter in history lost his second place in the ranking, but the third will be his consolation. Had he not suffered an injury that ended the rest of his regular season, he would have had a chance to regain his spot probably. Little more can be said about Stephen Curry, who continues to be the Golden State Warriors’ top star today, and with whom the franchise also secured third place in the Western Conference.
2.- James Harden – Philadelphia 76ers
The jersey that saw an exponential rise in sales was that of the Sixers star point guard since his move to the Philadelphia organization: he went from not being in the top 15 best-selling jerseys, to being the second overall in the entire ranking. All justified of course, since his arrival gave the 76ers the label of contenders in the East thanks to the hype of the duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid. In the end, the team finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference for the postseason.
1.- LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
For the fourth consecutive season (coinciding with his arrival to the Lakers in 2018), LeBron James continues to dominate the top of the best-selling jerseys in the NBA, regardless of whether or not the Los Angeles franchise is having a good or bad season, the popularity of the King James is unquestionable to be again the best-selling jersey for the 2021-2022 season. Despite LeBron’ s MVP-worth season, the Lakers did not qualify for the postseason after securing the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
