NEW YORK, March 26, 2007 – The Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace 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 19 through Sunday, March 25.

Wallace averaged 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.33 blocks and 1.33 steals in leading Charlotte to a 2-2 week. He notched 27 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists in a 108-100 win over Cleveland on March 20, and tallied 21 points, seven assists, four blocks and two steals in a 106-97 loss at Philadelphia on March 23.

Bryant averaged an NBA-high 51.0 points in helping the Lakers to a 3-0 record. He also became only the second player in league history to score 50 or more points in four consecutive games, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the record with seven consecutive games of 50 or more points, set in December, 1961. Bryant’s streak, which began on March 16 against Minnesota, was snapped on Sunday when he was held to 43 points 115-113 win over Golden State.

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

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats

  • March 20 vs. Cleveland: Tallied 27 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists in a 108-100 win over the Cavaliers.
  • March 21 at Boston: Registered 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals in a 92-84 win over the Celtics.
  • March 23 at Philadelphia: Totaled 21 points, seven assists, four blocks and two rebounds in a 106-97 loss to the 76ers.

    Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

  • March 22 at Memphis: Tallied 60 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 121-119 win over the Grizzlies.
  • March 23 at New Orleans/Okla. City: Posted 50 points, seven rebounds, one block and one assist in a 111-105 win over the Hornets.
  • March 25 vs. Golden State: Registered 43 points, nine rebounds, one block and one steal in 115-113 win over the Warriors.

    Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Chicago’s Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Houston’s Tracy McGrady and Toronto’s Chris Bosh and T.J. Ford.