NBA NEWS - LEBRON JAMES BRINGS THE HEAT WITH THE NBA’S NO. 1 JERSEY

LeBron James of the Miami Heat has grabbed the No. 1 spot on the NBA’s Most Popular Jerseys list - NBA photo

James Takes Top Spot for the First Time Since 2004- -Five Celtics Players Appear in the Top 15 - LAKERS’ KOBE BRYANT FINED $100,000

NEW YORK, NY USA

Saturday, April 16, 2011

LeBron James of the Miami Heat has grabbed the No. 1 spot on the NBA’s Most Popular Jerseys list, regaining the top ranking for the first time since April 2004. Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant, who has owned the position since the start of the 2008-09 season, finished second overall for the 2010-11 season, while Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics rounds out the top three for the first time in his career.

Four Boston Celtics aside from Rondo – Shaquille O’Neal (No. 12), Ray Allen (No. 13), Paul Pierce (No. 14), and Kevin Garnett (No. 15) – appear in the top 15, marking the first time five players from the same team have earned a place on the list.

Rookies John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers by debut on the list at Nos. 10 and 11, respectively.

As the Lakers try for a third consecutive championship, their gear continues to be in high demand topping the NBA’s list of most popular team merchandise for the eighth time in the last nine seasons. The Celtics remain in the No. 2 spot, where they have been since the start of the 2008-09 season. The Heat, the New York Knicks, and the Chicago Bulls round out the top five. For the first time, the Oklahoma City Thunder landed in the top 10 at No. 6.

LAKERS’ KOBE BRYANT FINED $100,000

The Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant made a homophobic slur to referee Bernie Adams after receiving a technical foul during Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The remark prompted the NBA to fine Bryant followed by a statement by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement:

“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

Bryant later apologized for his comments and said it in no way reflected his attitude towards the gay and lesbian communities Bryant was concerned about his image as a role model for youths. In 2003 Bryant overcame another negative incident that marred his image when he was arrested and accused of sexual assault in a case that was later dropped.