There were probably more than a few shocked Pikachu faces when some data was released this week on top-selling NBA jerseys.
Sports retailer Lids has shared a list of the best-selling NBA jerseys by state in their stores this year. LeBron James had the best-selling jersey in most states (30) while all-time greats like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson also made the list. But the most surprising name came from Alabama State – the best-selling NBA jersey there for 2021-22 was… Mike Bibby.
Here are the NBA’s best-selling player and team jerseys by state at @Lids this season:
• @King James & @Lakers are #1 in 30 states
• @Bulls are best sellers in 8 states
• Retired players are top sellers in 14 states
• Mike Bibby has the best-selling player’s jersey in Alabama pic.twitter.com/gcsoh921RO— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) February 17, 2022
Another surprise was Yao Ming with the best-selling Montana jersey. But Yao was a seven-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall who remains hugely popular in the Chinese community and beyond.
Bibby, who hasn’t played in the NBA in a decade, has never made an All-Star team or received other similar accolades in his career. He also doesn’t appear to have any ties to Alabama. Bibby is originally from Phoenix, attended the University of Arizona, and now coaches at a local high school in Arizona. He played for six teams during his NBA career, including the Sacramento Kings in the early 2000s. But none of those teams seem to be particularly popular in Alabama.
Nick DePaula, who tweeted the Lids list, also noted that there are only five Lids stores in Alabama and only one in Montana, which may have affected the numbers. Maybe the people of Alabama love Bibby’s light blue Vancouver Grizzlies jersey aesthetic too. It’s either that or they were inspired by the funny Bibby meme that went viral a few years ago.
Pictured: 15 Feb 2020; Chicago, IL, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference during NBA All Star Saturday Night at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki – USA TODAY Sports
