James, Bryant earn NBA monthly honors

Feb 2, 2009 - 10:22 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant were named the NBA's Players of the Month for January, the league announced Monday.

James averaged 27.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds in helping Cleveland post a 10-4 record in January.

James had three triple-doubles in the month and led the Cavaliers to a win over the defending NBA champion Celtics on January 9, scoring 38 points with seven boards, six assists, four steals and three blocks.

Bryant averaged 27.2 points, 7.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds for the month. The guard had two triple-doubles, helping the Lakers post a 12-4 mark for the month.

Bryant also had his second 40-point game of the season on January 2 against Utah.

Other nominees for the awards were Charlotte's Raja Bell, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Indiana's Danny Granger, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, New York's David Lee, Phoenix' Steve Nash, Denver's Nene, Portland's Brandon Roy, Houston's Luis Scola, Milwaukee's Charlie Villanueva and Miami's Dwyane Wade.