NEW YORK, March 19, 2007 – The New Jersey Nets’ Jason Kidd and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 12 through Sunday, March 18.

Kidd, who has recorded double-digit assists in four straight games, averaged 14.5 points, a league-best 12.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals in helping lead New Jersey to a 3-1 record. He scored 18 points to go with 12 assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 112-108 win at New Orleans/Oklahoma City on March 13, and scored 23 points and dished out 13 assists in a 101-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on March 18.

Bryant averaged an NBA-high 46.7 points in helping guide the Lakers to a 2-1 record. He poured in 65 points along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 116-111 overtime win over Portland on March 16, and followed that up with 50 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 109-102 win over Minnesota on March 18. Bryant became the first Laker to score 50 or more points in back-to-back games since Elgin Baylor in 1962.

Here is a closer look at the week for Kidd and Bryant:

Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets

  • March 12 at Memphis: Dished out 12 assists to go with eight points and eight rebounds in a 113-102 win over the Grizzlies.
  • March 13 at New Orleans/Okla. City: Tallied 18 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 112-108 win over the Hornets.
  • March 15 vs. Miami: Missed a triple-double by one point with 14 assists, 10 rebounds and nine points in a 93-86 loss to the Heat.
  • March 18 vs. L.A. Clippers: Notched 23 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and six steals in a 101-95 win over the Clippers.

    Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Tallied 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds in 113-86 loss to the Nuggets.
  • March 16 vs. Portland: Posted 65 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 116-11 overtime win over the Trail Blazers.
  • March 18 vs. Minnesota: Registered 50 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 109-102 win over the Timberwolves.

    Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s LeBron James and Drew Gooden, Denver’s Allen Iverson, Houston’s Tracy McGrady and Washington’s Gilbert Arenas.