Despite being among the most hated players in the NBA, the Miami Heat's LeBron James owns the top-selling jersey in terms of sales at NBAStore.com for the 2010-2011 season. This makes his jersey the Darth Vader mask of NBA apparel.
It is the first time since 2004 that James' jersey topped sales. Former top-seller Kobe Bryant sits at number two, while Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics surprisingly has the third best-selling jersey this season.
Perhaps LeBron's image was not hurt as much as NBA observers thought after his controversial TV special, The Decision, when he announced his free agent signing with the Heat.
James' teammate Dwyane Wade has the sixth best-selling jersey, just behind Amare Stoudemire of the New York Knicks and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
The LA Lakers and Boston Celtics lead all teams in merchandise sales, with the Heat coming in at number three. The fact that the Heat trail those two teams in sales while James leads all individuals suggests that it is not only Miami fans buying his jersey.
The anti-Heat sentiment did little for fellow All Star Chris Bosh, whose jersey sits outside the top 15 in sales.
David Hill is a Miami native and the former owner of a youth replica Rony Seikaly jersey.
