What if we told you that Jayson Tatum has gained more popularity than LeBron James?
That may or may not be correct, but the Boston Celtics player has eclipsed King James in at least one popularity statistic. The NBA announced its top-selling jerseys for the first half of the 2023-24 regular season on Tuesday, and Tatum is second overall, after Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry but ahead of James, Victor Wembanyama, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tatum has already established himself as an NBA superstar; next month, he will make his fifth consecutive All-Star appearance and fourth consecutive All-Star start in Indiana, and he is the first player in NBA history to improve his scoring, rebounding, and assist averages in each of his first six seasons.
Nonetheless, the 25-year-old experienced a “pinch me” moment when he saw his name ahead of James at No. 2 on this list.
Wow this is crazy to me https://t.co/9vt2ltz3Rz
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) January 30, 2024
Tatum should get used to being one of the NBA’s most popular players, especially given that he plays for one of the league’s most popular teams. Only the Los Angeles Lakers sold more club stuff than the Celtics throughout the first half of the season, according to the NBA.
The NBA's top-selling team merchandise list… based on https://t.co/I0ypSvyq5i sales from the first half of the 2023-24 season! pic.twitter.com/8nWPeE37SB
— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2024
You could argue that Tatum’s teammate, Jaylen Brown, should be in the top 15 on the above list — we wouldn’t be surprised if he just missed it — but Tatum is the clear No. 1 on the NBA-leading Celtics, who are 36-11 after a comeback win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
If Tatum and his teammates can achieve their aim of winning the NBA championship in June, he may push Curry for the top place.
