The list of top-selling jerseys in the NBA gives us a glimpse of who will carry the torch when LeBron James and Stephen Curry eventually step off the court for the last time. It’s no secret that LeBron and Curry are the most recognizable names in today’s NBA. They have not only excelled on the court with numerous MVPs and championships, but have also become iconic figures in the basketball world. The recent sales figures for jerseys confirm their enduring popularity, with Curry’s Golden State Warriors jersey topping the list and LeBron’s Lakers jersey close behind. This just goes to show that these two superstars will continue to be the faces of the NBA until they hang up their sneakers for good.
In the top five jersey sales, we see familiar names like Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there’s a new fan favorite making waves – Victor Wembanyama, who clinched the fourth spot. Surprisingly, established stars like Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic fell behind. Despite Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves’ successes, rising stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards did not make the cut in the top 15. It seems like jersey sales are all about popularity rather than performance.
The ranking of best-selling jerseys does not necessarily reflect a player’s performance in a specific season. It primarily indicates a player’s popularity among fans. Despite playing fewer games, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball still made it to the top 15, showing their strong fan base. On the other hand, Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reached this mark in just one month.
Being the face of the NBA involves more than just skill; it also depends on a player’s popularity. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have dominated the league for years and have attracted millions of fans to basketball. As these two legends approach retirement, the league officials can be sure that the NBA will remain marketable, even without them. However, it is uncertain who will fill their shoes and become the next face of the NBA once they retire.
It seems like Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will need to make deep playoff runs and impress everyone before they can be considered as the next faces of the league. However, even winning a championship doesn’t guarantee that status, as proven by Nikola Jokic who, despite his dominance, only ranked 13th in jersey sales.
The future faces of the league will likely be determined by factors such as their entertaining playstyles, team success, charismatic personalities, and the market size of the team they play for. Considering these factors, potential candidates to take on the face of the league title after LeBron James and Stephen Curry retire could include Jayson Tatum (success with a marketable team), Victor Wembanyama (unique and entertaining playstyle), Luka Doncic (dominant individual play with potential team success), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (inspirational personality, team dominance, and individual brilliance).