Derrick Rose and Jeremy Lin Won over Hearts, Minds and Wallets This Season

I'm not the only one who loves point guards.

Derrick Rose and Jeremy Lin topped the NBA's most popular jersey list this season.

From an official NBA press release:

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Reigning Kia NBA MVP Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls secured the top spots as the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey and Team Merchandise, respectively, based on sales at the temporary NBA Store on Fifth Avenue and on NBAStore.com from April 2011 to present. … At No. 2 on the list is New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin, whose breakout season also propelled him to the most popular jersey spot for February and March. Rounding out the top five are Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (No. 3), Miami Heat’s LeBron James (No. 4) and the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony (No. 5).  Since 2001, Bryant has claimed the No. 1 position six times and James has held it twice.

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The reigning MVP taking over the top spot isn't a huge shocker. Accolades go a long way with fans who want to be wearing the most popular jersey. Lin made his debut on the list after a fairytale February that captivated the sports world and dominated headlines for weeks. It's hardly a surprise to see him on the list, but it's telling of just how big of a story his season was to see him rank above two-time MVP LeBron James and 16-year NBA veteran Kobe Bryant.

While people might find Rajon Rondo to be uncharismatic in his postgame interviews, fans scooped up enough of his jerseys to place him at 10th on the list. In an Associated Press story from ESPN Boston, we learned that one of those jerseys was extra lucky.

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The Boston third-grader who narrowly missed a bullet that came through his bedroom wall and left a smoking hole in his Boston Celtics jersey has met the player whose shirt he was wearing.

Preston Jackson and his family attended Tuesday night's Celtics game against the Miami Heat, where they met Rajon Rondo.

Rondo says he couldn't believe the stories he heard of Preston's harrowing experience on April 17, calling it a "senseless act."

Several shots were fired in the street in front of Preston's home. Police are investigating.

Preston called his meeting with the All Star point guard "the best moment of my life."

He also left with a bag full of Celtics stuff, including a new jersey, this one with Rondo's autograph.

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After leading Dallas to the championship, Dirk Nowitzki was on this year's list (seventh), after not making the cut last season. After not making the postseason last year, second-year player Blake Griffin was ninth on the list, the only player to play for a non-playoff team last season to make the cut.

In short: NBA fans like dunks, winners and feel-good stories.