Kobe Bryant is interviewed.The Los Angeles Lakers held a media day at their El Segundo practice facility. Players were photographed for team materials, and interviewed by the press. El Segundo, CA. 9/27/2013. photo by (John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News)
In a sign that marks both his longevity and challenges in outlasting the next generation, Kobe Bryant has the third highest selling NBA jersey worldwide.
Bryant trails both the Miami Heat’s LeBron James and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, based on Adidas’ global sales, the NBA announced on Wednesday. Bryant also played third in various countries including the United States, Philippines, Europe and China, with the latter country hosting a pair of Lakers’ preseason games against the Golden State Warriors Oct. 15 in Beijing and Oct. 18 in Shanghai. Bryant also finished the second highest selling NBA jersey in Latin America behind Rose.
Bryant’s popularity vastly exceeds other Lakers.
Pau Gasol had the fifth highest-selling jersey in Europe, partly because of his native Spain, but he didn’t crack the top 10 list in other markets. Steve Nash finished 11th overall. Despite playing one season for the Lakers, Dwight Howard’s jersey finished seventh.
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