LeBron, Carmelo named Players of the Month

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James and the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games played during October and November.

James paced the Eastern Conference in scoring (29.2 ppg), was second in assist (8.0 apg) and added 6.7 rebounds per game, leading the Cavaliers to a 12-5 start. James is one of only two players to record a triple-double this season (Rafer Alston) after recording 23 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists on Oct. 28 at Toronto. With 38 points on Oct. 27, James set a franchise record for points in a season opener and with his seventh point became the youngest player to score 13,000 (24 years, 301 days old). James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 23 after averaging a league-high 34.3 points for the week and leading Cleveland to a 3-1 record.
Anthony led the Nuggets to a 12-5 start, averaging a league-high 31.0 points to go with 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Anthony scored 20 or more points in each of the Nuggets' 17 games, setting the franchise record for consecutive 20-point performances to start a season (Alex English, 14). On Nov. 27, Anthony scored a career-high 50 points, becoming the seventh Nugget to score 50 or more points and the first since Allen Iverson had 51 on Dec. 5, 2007. Anthony was named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 2, after leading Denver to a 3-0 start and joined Alex English as the only Nuggets to score 30 or more points in each of the first three games of a season.
Here is a closer look at the month for James and Anthony:
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Oct. 28 vs. Toronto: Scored 23 points and added 12 assists and 11 rebounds in a 101-91 loss to the Raptors.
Nov. 6 @ New York: Tallied 33 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals in a 100-91 win over the Knicks.
Nov. 11 @ Orlando: Recorded 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 102-93 win over the Magic.
Nov. 17 vs. Golden State: Tallied 31 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and two blocks in a 114-108 win over the Warriors.
Nov. 20 @ Indiana: Poured in 40 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists in a 105-95 win over the Pacers.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
Oct. 28 vs. Utah: Recorded 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 114-105 win over the Jazz.
Oct. 29 @ Portland: Tallied 41 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 97-94 win over the Trail Blazers.
Nov. 1 vs. Memphis: Scored 42 points and added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 133-123 win over the Grizzlies.
Nov. 21 vs. Chicago: Recorded 30 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in a 112-93 win over the Bulls.
Nov. 27 vs. New York: Poured in a career-high 50 points and added six rebounds and five assists in a 128-125 win over the Knicks.
Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors were Atlanta's Josh Smith, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Golden State's Monta Ellis, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Phoenix's Steve Nash.