James, Brand selected as top NBA players for November

James led the Cavaliers to a record of 10-4 during the month, marking the first time since the 1977-78 season that the club reached double-digit victories in November. He averaged 28.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists during the month to garner Eastern Conference honors.

In 10 of the 14 games James scored 25 or more points. On November 19, he also recorded a triple-double with 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 123-120 victory over Philadelphia.

Brand, who took home the Western Conference award, averaged 23.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for the surprising Clippers, who led the Pacific Division after the first month with a 10-5 mark. He shot 56 percent from the floor and is the only player to rank in the top 10 in both points and rebounds.

With 10 double-doubles already this season, Brand became the franchise’s all- time leader in that category with 182. On November 18, he posted 23 points and 14 rebounds with five blocks and three assists in a 97-91 win over the Lakers.

Other nominees for the honors included Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Denver’s Marcus Camby, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Golden State’s Jason Richardson, Houston’s Yao Ming, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.

Coaches of the month for November were Detroit’s Flip Saunders and Dallas’ Avery Johnson.

Saunders, in his first season with the Pistons, has the club off to an 11-2 start. He became the first Pistons coach to begin his tenure 8-0.

Johnson’s Mavericks are off to a 10-4 start. Dallas has beaten Phoenix, San Antonio, Detroit and Miami to become the first team since 1962 to defeat all four conference finalists from the previous playoffs in the opening month of the season.