Basketball fans can support their favorite team on or off the court with authentic NBA jerseys, NBA replica jerseys or the popular Swingman jerseys. This article depicts the differences and distinct buying advantages of the different types of NBA jerseys and offers advice on shopping tips designed with basketball fans in mind.

If you are looking to buy a gift for a true basketball fan, then official NBA jerseys are the way to go. Basketball fans can support their favorite team on or off the court with authentic NBA jerseys, NBA replica jerseys or the popular Swingman jerseys. All of these jerseys are made of high quality fabric and designed with the team name, official team logo and your favorite player's number featured on the front and back, just like those that the NBA stars wear on the court. The difference between them is quality, cut, trim and cost. Depending on your budget you can determine which is best the hoops fan in your life.

Most basketball fans are true in their support and wish to wear the real thing, however this is not practical for everyone. Because authentic jerseys are like the real ones worn on the court, they can often be too large for most fans. Authentic jerseys are cut with the same trim, fabric and application as the pros and although various sizes are available, they will still fit for function and performance. Because they are made to withstand intense wear and tear, they are much more durable. This is ideal if you only want the best, but if a fan is more interested in showing support, an NBA replica jersey may be a better choice. Replica jerseys offer the same styling as the authentic jerseys, but have screen printed lettering made of a lighter mesh material, making them less expensive and a bit more comfortable. Another option for your NBA fan are the Swingman jerseys. These jerseys are favorites among fans because they are less expensive than the authentic, yet carry many of the same qualities. The biggest difference between the Swingman jersey and the authentic jersey is the material and the lettering. The Swingman jersey features screenprinted tackle twill lettering.

If you're shopping for women or kids, you'll probably want to stick to the replica jerseys or even select jerseys made specifically for youth and women's sizes. The material used on replica jerseys is softer and more comfortable. Regardless of the jersey that is best for your fan, all official NBA jerseys carry the official NBA and team logos.

You can find jerseys at a number of places, you can either shop at apparel stores or you can take your shopping online. I'm a big proponent of online shopping for many reasons, but beyond selection and availability, price is the biggest benefit of online shopping. You do need to make sure that the retailer is reputable and carries only authentic products. While it's not fool proof, you can get a pretty good idea of the level of service based on customer testimonials and reviews. Another sign of quality service is the ease of transaction and the availability of live support or telephone support. Being in business for a longer period of time doesn’t' always mean that the service will be the best, but it is definitely a good indicator. There is one site that I found that makes the online shopping experience not only worthwhile but convenient. SidelineApparel.com offers a great incentive in their One Size, One Price Program. Often times, retailers will charge more for larger sizes. Here you will experience significant savings in that regardless of the size, you pay the same price.

There are a number of reputable retailers that carry jerseys and apparel for all the NBA teams and often times you can find the same jersey for a fraction of the cost. So whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for a gift for an avid basketball fan, NBA jerseys are one of the best ways to support your team of choice. Nothing makes more of an impact than the real thing. Giving your fan a pair of tickets to a home game partnered with an authentic NBA jersey is an excellent anniversary gift, birthday gift, Christmas gift or just because.

As a personal shopper, Sam Brown searches for the best gift ideas and popular shopping must haves. This article is designed to help basketball fans celebrate in style with the best selections of NBA Jerseys, Youth NBA Swingman Jerseys & NBA Replica Jerseys.