Martin and Garnett named NBA Players of the Month

Martin averaged 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.62 blocks per game, as the Nets went an NBA-best 11-2 for the month.

He collected 24 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Miami on February 4 and then scored a season-high 29 points and pulled down eight boards in a triumph over Philadelphia four days later. On February 21 against New Orleans, Martin chipped in 23 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, as the Nets defeated the Hornets. He also had a 25-point, 15-board effort in a victory over Toronto on February 24.

Garnett, who also captured the monthly honor in December and January, averaged 25.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, helping the Timberwolves to an 11-4 mark in February.

He contributed 32 points, 13 boards and nine assists in a win over Philadelphia on February 1 and then poured in 35 points and hauled in 12 rebounds in a triumph over Cleveland on February 6. In a victory over Sacramento on February 19, Garnett scored 22 points, grabbed 24 boards and handed out four assists.

Other nominees for NBA Players of the Month were Dallas’ Steve Nash, Detroit’s Ben Wallace, Houston’s Yao Ming, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Memphis’ James Posey, Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire, Portland’s Zach Randolph, Sacramento’s Peja Stojakovic and Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko.

Cleveland’s LeBron James and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played during the month of February. James and Anthony each won the award for the fourth consecutive month.

James averaged 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest in February, while Anthony led the Western Conference rookies in scoring for the month with a 27.1 ppg average.

Lawrence Frank was named February’s Coach of the Month in the East after leading the Nets to 11 wins in 13 games, while Hubie Brown took honors in the West, guiding the Memphis Grizzlies to a 10-3 mark. Frank produced the best- ever start by any coach/manager in professional sports, winning his first 13 games after taking over for the fired Byron Scott in late January.