After helping lead the Suns to a 3-1 record last week, forward Amar’e Stoudemire was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 3-9, the NBA announced today.

This is Stoudemire’s first NBA Player of the Week honor this season and the sixth of his career. Stoudemire also won the award on March 17, 2008, Feb. 11, 2008, Feb. 26, 2007, Dec. 13, 2004 and Nov. 22, 2004.

The 6-10, 245-pound forward wins the award for a week in which the Suns defeated three Eastern Conference opponents (New Jersey, Indiana, Milwaukee). Stoudemire averaged 28.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks on the week. He erupted for 49 points on 17-of-21 shooting from the field and 15-of-15 shooting from the foul line in the Suns’ 113-103 victory at Indiana on Nov. 5. For the week, Stoudemire shot .646 (31-of-48) from the field and .927 (51-of-55) from the charity stripe.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Boston’s Ray Allen, Golden State’s Andris Biedrins, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New York’s Zach Randolph, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Sacramento’s Kevin Martin and Utah’s Carlos Boozer.

The Phoenix Suns return to action tonight at US Airways Center against the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00 p.m. (Phoenix time) on FSN Arizona.

Notes: Phoenix Suns Guard Raja Bell’s wife Cindi gave birth to Tai Brooklyn Bell (6 pounds, 8 ounces, 18 inches) Sunday in Phoenix. Tai is the second boy for the Bell’s.