The Philippine support for the Los Angeles Lakers and for LeBron James is stronger than ever, if NBA merchandise sales are anything to go by. Expect that to skyrocket with the arrival of Luka Doncic.
The Philippines--or at least a significant chunk of NBA basketball fans in the country--is solid for the Purple and Gold.
At least, if NBA merchandise sales are anything to go by.
According to the NBA, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as the top-selling jersey and team merchandise for the first half of the 2024-25 regular season.
That's the first time it since the 2020-21 season, that both LeBron James and the Lakers have topped the lists in tandem.
The rankings are based on sales from the NBA Stores in SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia, as well as NBAStore.com.ph, which are collectively operated by TITAN.
What's in a jersey?
The Nike Dri-FIT NBA Swingman, such as the LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers Icon Edition, features technology to keep sweat away from the skin for faster evaporation. There's also breathable mesh to help the player keep cool on or off the court, according to the NBA store in the Philippines.
The graphics, such as the player name and number, are heat-applied. The entire jersey is 100% polyester
The Purple and Gold's #77
And just this Thursday, February 6, the Lakers unveiled Luka Doncic's jersey. In #77, of course.
The pre-order quickly sold out for most of the sizes.
Top jersey list
James is on top of the Philippines' top-selling jersey list, followed by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Doncic is number three, based on the Dallas Mavericks jersey sales from the start of the season until December 31, 2024.
He is followed by Kyrie Irving (Mavericks), Jimmy Butler (Heat-turned-Warriors), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), and Ja Morant (Grizzlies).
.jpg)
This is the first time that Ball and Alexander make the Most Popular Jersey list in the Philippines.
Top team merchandise list
As for team merch, the Lakers are followed by the Chicago Bulls, the Warriors, the Phoenix Suns, and the Mavericks.
.jpg)
The Phoenix Suns also make their debut, with the rise of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.