Authentic NBA jersey vs replica

[ChineseGuy]

I'm planning to buy a NBA jersey for someone as a gift.

He's a lakers fan, so I'm thinking about getting a kobe jersey for him.

What are the main difference between authentic and replicas? Because I can see the price have a huge difference.

Also, should I wait for the finals to be over first before i buy the jersey? Would that matter?

Last question, Should I buy it online or footlocker or where?

[JW-Tuning]

the material! Footlocker.. save some shipping costs! Get me a Dwight Howard jersey when you stop by.. LOL

[ejazbmw]

yeah i think you can just tell from feeling it or at least i can, real jerseys are ticker while the fake ones are thin

[ChineseGuy]

^^

Should I wait for the finals to be over before I buy it?

Assuming the lakers win, will they change the jerseys?

[BMW F22]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3150943AA6FYiX

I'm not sure about NBA but for NFL jerseys, authentic ones would say "on field", the materials are thicker, and the football logo (of the player) is multi-colored instead of just the red that they used to have. Usually if the price is 40%+ off 9/10 times it's fake. If it retails for $200 and the seller is selling it for $150+ then it's most likely authentic. Of course always buy with a CC so you have some recourse.

PS: you should compare the size of the player's numbers too. Fake ones usually have same size numbers on front and back or they're much smaller than the real ones.

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

^^

Should I wait for the finals to be over before I buy it?

Assuming the lakers win, will they change the jerseys?

what do you mean change? there not gonna change anything if they win maybe they'll put a patch or something just to make more money off people lol

[BillLee]

aren't the authentic ones stitched and the fake ones have a more plastic feel to it? (talking about the numbers and letters on it)

[BMW F22]

^ That too- at least for NFL ones (I think it applies to all pro sport jerseys though).

[MShao825]

Authentic jerseys have all the letters/numbers stitched on and are literally the exact jerseys the players wear on the court, while replica ones are just screenprinted. If you want something in between, they make "swingman" jerseys, which are also stitched, but just not as high quality as the authentic ones. I would definitely go for at least a swingman since replicas are just plain cheap.

Also, to answer your question, the Lakers won't be revealing new jerseys just because they win or anything like that. The price won't go down either, so go get one whenever you get the chance.

Hope this helps!

[ChineseGuy]

Originally Posted by mshao825

Authentic jerseys have all the letters/numbers stitched on and are literally the exact jerseys the players wear on the court, while replica ones are just screenprinted. If you want something in between, they make "swingman" jerseys, which are also stitched, but just not as high quality as the authentic ones. I would definitely go for at least a swingman since replicas are just plain cheap.

Also, to answer your question, the Lakers won't be revealing new jerseys just because they win or anything like that. The price won't go down either, so go get one whenever you get the chance.

Hope this helps!

I will probably get him the authentic one...

footlocker? Which place sells authentic ones with decent price?

[MShao825]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

I will probably get him the authentic one...

footlocker? Which place sells authentic ones with decent price?

Honestly, if you search for them on eBay, you'll be able to find them for a LOT cheaper. I kind of doubt they're real, but you will never be able to tell the difference. Just search for Kobe Bryant Authentic Jersey and the size like 44 (L), 48 (XL), etc. They run really big so a 44 is plenty big for me and I'm 6' tall.

If not, all authentic jerseys sell for the same retail price anywhere, so it doesn't matter where you get it. I don't believe Foot Locker, Champs, etc. carry authentic jerseys though, so you may want to check the NBA Store on nba.com.

[ChaneRZ]

for sure on that nba store.

http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512 you can even put his last name and favorite number here.

[wj4]

The only reason to buy at the local Footlocker, Champs, FinishLine, etc. is when they have a good sale like Friend & Family.

I used to wear a lot of jerseys back in high school, all authentics and throwbacks (Mitchell And Ness). Search for those Mitchell And Ness jerseys if you wanna see $$, lol.

The brand has changed since then, 2002-2003 when I wore them, from Nike to Reebok. But essentially there are 3 levels...

Authentics, which is the same thing the pros wear except theirs are pro cuts.

Swingmans, replicas still, however not screen printed, but sewn on. But still one single layer.

Replicas, the lowest and cheapest ones available.

There's nothing like an authentic, from the attention to smaller details to the used of the DRI FIT material. But of course, it comes at the $100+ price tag. Compare to the $60ish mark for a swingman or $40 for a replica.

Also the only time they really go on sale is when either a player has been traded or design has been changed.

[ChineseGuy]

Originally Posted by ChaneRZ

for sure on that nba store.

http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512 you can even put his last name and favorite number here.

nba store does not have kobe's authentic one, I don't think my friend wants his name on the jersey instead.

[dirtyylicous]

I think the swingman would do the job.

Replicas are garbage and aunthentics are $$$. The swingman jersey is a good but IMO

[ChaneRZ]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

nba store does not have kobe's authentic one, I don't think my friend wants his name on the jersey instead.

they do
yellow
http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512

purple

http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512

[ChineseGuy]

Originally Posted by ChaneRZ

they do
yellow
http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512

purple

http://store.nba.com/product/index.j...806557.2804512

I want the authentic purple kobe one, but that one in nba store only puts your name there

[BillLee]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

I want the authentic purple kobe one, but that one in nba store only puts your name there

just put kobe's name on it then

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by BillLee

just put kobe's name on it then

lol

[ChaneRZ]

PWNED!

SELECT A PLAYER: Use the menu below to select the name and number of your favorite professional player. Image will automatically display.

Select a Player Name/NumberAriza, Trevor - 3Brown, Shannon - 12Bryant, Kobe - 24Bynum, Andrew - 17Farmar, Jordan - 5Fisher, Derek - 2Gasol, Pau - 16Ilunga-Mbenga, Didier - 28Morrison, Adam - 6Odom, Lamar - 7Powell, Josh - 21Sun Yue - 9Vujacic, Sasha - 18Walton, Luke - 4Yue, Sun - 9

ENTER A UNIQUE NAME AND NUMBER: Type in the name and number you want to appear on your jersey then click Preview: (customization rules)
Name: Number: Select SizeSize 44 - $199.99Size 48 - $199.99Size 52 - $199.99Size 56 - $199.99Size 60 - $229.99 (size chart)
Qty:

[Los Angeles]

Originally Posted by ChineseGuy

I'm planning to buy a NBA jersey for someone as a gift.

He's a lakers fan, so I'm thinking about getting a kobe jersey for him.

What are the main difference between authentic and replicas? Because I can see the price have a huge difference.

Buy Authentic.

[Hoothout]

i wouldnt ever buy a replica, you gotta always get the real thing, thats with everything