Marbury and Gasol named NBA Players of the Week

Marbury led the Knicks to a 2-1 record, as he averaged 32.3 points, 8.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.33 steals in games against Orlando, Minnesota and New Jersey last week. The 6-2 guard from Georgia Tech became the first Knick since Patrick Ewing in the 1996-97 season to score 30-or-more points in three consecutive games.

Marbury poured in 34 points on 13-of-21 shooting to lead the Knicks past the Magic in Orlando on December 27. The following night in New York, Marbury posted a double-double of 32 points and 11 assists as the Knicks knocked off the Timberwolves 100-87.

Gasol helped the Grizzlies to a 3-0 record last week by averaging 23.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston and Minnesota.

The 7-foot forward from Spain recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a 117-109 win over the Celtics on December 29. Gasol followed that up on New Year’s Day with a team-high 23 points, four rebounds and three assists in a 104-95 victory over the Timberwolves.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Houston’s Tracy McGrady, the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New Jersey’s Vince Carter, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson, Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire and Seattle’s Ray Allen.