LeBron James might be reading a bit much into his jersey sales

LeBron James knows what you want in an NBA jersey.

You don’t just want a shirt that shows your support for a particular team. No, you are looking for something that shows your utmost respect for the man who wears the same jersey number on his back. And you are hoping that plunking down your hard-earned cash for that garment will be a step toward somehow emulating that man’s assumed greatness.

Or something like that.

Or maybe James was just looking for a way to work his latest Nike slogan into his comments acknowledging his No. 6 Miami Heat jersey status as the best seller this season at NBAStore.com.

“It means a lot to know that I have so many fans that want to wear my jersey because they respect the way I play the game and respect who I am as a man,” said James, whose jersey has topped the list six times in his career. “Thanks so much to all that `Strive for Greatness.’ ”

I can think of ways to strive for greatness other than purchasing an overpriced item of clothing in honor of an overpaid athlete. But, then again, no one’s lining up to buy a replica of the raggedy hoodie I wear at work every day, so what do I know?

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant was second on the list, followed by two guys who played in a combined 16 games this season -- the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Chicago’s Derrick Rose.

The top 10 is rounded out by Golden State’s Stephen Curry, New York’s Carmelo Anthony, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, the Clippers’ Chris Paul, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Houston’s James Harden, with the Clippers’ Blake Griffin coming in at No. 11.

The two-time defending champion Heat rule the team merchandise list. Two non-playoff teams made the top five, the Lakers at No. 2 and the Knicks at No. 5. They sandwich the Bulls at No. 3 and Thunder at No. 4.