Replica jerseys, the official ones at least, are licensed by the NBA. The player's union gets a cut of the proceeds from their sale. Besides, there is a significant difference between a jersey and a championship ring. EVERY player that plays in the NBA (and even some who never make a roster, but get invited to training camp and preseason) gets an NBA jersey. Players go through tons of jerseys every season. They have home jerseys, road jerseys, alternate jerseys, throw back jerseys, etc. Many players donate jerseys to charity (same with shoes), give them to sick kids, etc. Many great players play their entire career (Malone, Stockton, Barkely, etc.) and never get a ring. Rings are special and these cheap, unauthorized counterfeits devalue the real thing.
BNM