:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54203133/usa_today_10004562.0.jpg)
The National Basketball Association released its jersey sales for the 2016-’17 season and reports of the Los Angeles Lakers’ continued demise continue to be exaggerated.
Put it this way: On one hand, the team failed to place anyone on the league’s top-15 individual jerseys sales, which is a bit of a blow, sure.
Here’s how that list breaks down:
- Stephen Curry
- LeBron James
- Kevin Durant
- Russell Westbrook
- Kyrie Irving
- Kawhi Leonard
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Jimmy Butler
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- James Harden
- Dwayne Wade
- Derrick Rose
- Klay Thompson
- Isaiah Thomas
- Damian Lillard
Really, the list makes sense. Guys like Durant, Wade and Rose all changed teams (into large markets). Curry and James are perennially popular. Porzingis represents hope for the perpetually hopeless and hapless.
On the other hand, somehow, despite not having anyone on that list, the Lakers as a whole placed among the top jersey sellers in the NBA.
That list goes as such:
- Golden State Warriors
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Chicago BUlls
- Lakers
- New York Knicks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Toronto Raptors
Not listed in the top 10: The Clippers. Oh, Clippers. Let’s also take this time to chuckle a little at the Celtics, who just barely made the list despite their best season in years.
Tee hee.
There is no breakdown available as of yet for how the individual sales look on the Lakers and how much the number was impacted by retired jerseys (Hi, Kobe!), but suffice it to say at this rate, the Lakers have something to point to when the tired criticism of tanking’s effect on the franchise falls on their doorstep.