Lakers: Popularity of Kobe Bryant Never Faltered
Kobe Bryant’s sustained popularity with fans is one of the biggest parts of his legacy with the Lakers and in the NBA
Judging popularity in the NBA is difficult, but jersey sales seem to be one of the best indicators of how much a player is adored by fans. It stands to reason that he more popular their player, the more money they make on jerseys, clothes, and memorabilia. If that’s to be believed, than the staying power of now-retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in terms of popularity is truly remarkable
The results of NBA.com reported Jersey sales by NBA player for the 2016 season was recently released. Kobe finished the season in second-place in overall sales, outselling LeBron James‘ Jersey. The results are telling for not only Kobe, but the Lakers as well.
Considering that Bryant shot a miserable 35.8 percent from the field (worst of his career) and wasn’t in the running for MVP in the 2015-16 NBA season, it is amazing that his jersey sales still ranked No. 2 behind the league’s MVP Stephen Curry. In January, Kobe had landed in the No. 3 spot in jersey sales moving up three spots from the previous season. He moved up to No. 2 over the last five months of the season.
Bryant’s done something right in his career to have so many loyal fans all over the nation and the world. The results are telling:
Top 15 Most Popular NBA Jerseys (sales from 48 mainland United States for the 2016 season)
- Stephen Curry — Golden State Warriors
- Kobe Bryant — Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James — Cleveland Cavaliers
- Kristaps Porzingis — New York Knicks
- Kevin Durant — Oklahoma City Thunder
- Russell Westbrook — Oklahoma City Thunder
- Derrick Rose — Chicago Bulls
- Kawhi Leonard — San Antonio Spurs
- Kyrie Irving — Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jimmy Butler — Chicago Bulls
- James Harden — Houston Rockets
- Klay Thompson — Golden State Warriors
- Draymond Green — Golden State Warriors
- Paul George — Indiana Pacers
- Dwyane Wade — Miami Heat
Top selling team merchandise (as of Jan. 2016, season totals have not yet been released):
- Golden State Warriors
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics
- L.A. Clippers
Adoration for Kobe transcends the leagues players who have been MVP’s, LeBron has been voted MVP more times than Kobe in the last 10 years, and still Kobe beat him this year in jersey sales.
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Having the second most popular player in terms of individual sales helped the Lakers in team sales, landing in fourth place overall as of Dec. 2015. That’s huge considering the team recorded the franchise’s worst record ever at 17 wins and 65 losses.
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Lakers fans usually do not own just one of Kobe’s jerseys, as fans interviewed by the Lake Show Life on Mamba Day (the date of Bryant’s final game) explained that many of them own multiple Kobe jerseys. White jersey’s with gold numbers, gold with purple numbers, black with gold numbers, and any other combination you can imagine, including replicas of his Lower Meridian High School jersey.
The outpouring of love and adoration around the country during Kobe’s retirement season was out of this world. There wasn’t a venue where fans didn’t cheer for him and pay homage to him and his accomplishments. The retirement announcement and following farewell tour must have helped boost sales his jerseys in his final year in the NBA.
In 2013, Bleacher Report’s Jesse Dorsey reported that Kobe Bryant ranked number two in all-time jersey sales behind LeBron.
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Kobe’s jerseys will be sold for a very long time. He’s the kind of legend and star that won’t burn out over night. After all, he was still finishing No. 2 in jersey sales after 20 years in the NBA.
Who will be the next Lakers star to rank on this list and how long will it take? Let us know what you predict in the comments below.