The Boston Celtics and the team's All-Star forward Kevin Garnett lead the NBA's lists of Most Popular Jerseys and Most Popular Team Merchandise in sales at the NBA Store in New York City and online at NBAStore.com for the holiday season. The offseason acquisition of Garnett, along with the team?s fast start, has catapulted the team and Garnett to the top spots for the first time since the NBA began compiling the lists in 2001.
Garnett jerseys have tripled in sales since last season. (At the end of the 2005-06 season, Garnett's jersey was ranked No. 16 and did not appear on last year's list.) Celtics merchandise also has seen a triple-digit sales increase since last season. The team was ranked No. 7 on the list at the end of the 2006-07 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers? Kobe Bryant slips one spot to No. 2 and the Denver Nuggets? Allen Iverson moves up one spot to No. 3 from last year. The Cleveland Cavaliers? LeBron James and the Phoenix Suns? Steve Nash round out the Top 5 at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. Seattle SuperSonics rookie Kevin Durant makes his debut on the list at No. 11, while Orlando Magic Center Dwight Howard enters the list for the first time at No. 14.
The NBA Store and NBAStore.com had its strongest combined sales quarter in history in the fourth quarter of 2007 with a 6.5-percent increase over last year. December 2007 was the largest sales month ever for the two stores with a combined increase of 6.5-percent over last year. NBAStore.com had its largest single sales month ever during December 2007 with a 14-percent increase over last year. This season marks the second with adidas as the official on-court uniform and apparel provider for the NBA.