Read the full story

As if playing ball for millions of dollars isn’t the business, the rich get richer by signing endorsement deals. Sometimes the deals aren’t so great, but mo money is mo money.MSNBC compiled a list of the most marketable players in the NBA with a brief explanation for each selection. Here’s their list, minus the explanations:

1. LeBron James
2. Dwayne Wade
3. Kevin Garnett
4. Shaquille O’Neal
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Yao Ming
7. Tony Parker
8. Kevin Durant
9. Yi Jianlian
10. Eduardo Najera

Steve Nash and Gilbert Arenas are the most glaring omissions, and I’ll listen to arguments for AI, Dwight Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki.. Too bad the only time that Tim Duncan talks is when he’s arguing with Joey Crawford, or else he’d be raking in the endorsement money too.

And of course.. If there’s a “Most” list, there can be a “Least” list. Here are my 5 least marketable NBA players:

5. Oleksiy Pecherov, C, Washington Wizards
4. Darius Miles, F, Portland Trailblazers
3. The Knicks, Team, New York Knicks
2. Stephen Jackson, G, Golden St. Warriors
1. Ron Artest, F, Sacramento Kings

Can LeBron surpass Michael on Madison Ave.? Courtesy of MSNBC

Tags: NBA, Most Marketable, Endorsements, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant