The most popular NBA players....Lebron, Kobe....and RONDO?

[OG Hack Wilson]

NEW YORK -- If LeBron James' move to Miami made him a villain to some, fans like dressing as a bad guy.

James had the top-selling jersey in the NBA this season, moving past Kobe Bryant to claim the No. 1 spot for the first time since his rookie season in Cleveland in 2004.

Bryant dropped to No. 2 on the list announced Wednesday, while Rajon Rondo moved up to third, one of five Boston Celtics among the top 15.

The list is based on sales on NBAStore.com since the start of the 2010-11 season.

James' popularity was expected to suffer after his much-criticized departure from the Cavaliers last summer. His switch of teams and numbers, from No. 23 to 6, ended the reign of Bryant, who had been No. 1 since the start of the 2008-09 season.

Amare Stoudemire (fourth) and Carmelo Anthony (eighth) also made the top 10 in their first seasons as Knicks.

Shaquille O'Neal (12th), Ray Allen (13th), Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett rounded out the list.


Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
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good for him