The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant were named the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference players of the week, respectively, for the period ending December 20.

Howard averaged a double-double of 17 points and 17.8 rebounds in four games for Orlando, which went 3-1 during the week. His standout performance came December 14 against Indiana, when he totaled 21 points, 23 boards and four blocks in a victory. Howard averaged 4.5 blocks per game and posted a season- high eight blocks December 16 against Toronto.

Bryant, meanwhile, averaged a league-high 34.5 points in four contests as the Lakers went 4-0. He also totaled 5.5 rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game. Bryant's week included a 42-point effort December 15 against Chicago, and a double-double against New Jersey on December 19.

Other nominees were Atlanta's Joe Johnson, Cleveland's LeBron James, Memphis' Zach Randolph, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Phoenix's Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, and Portland's Brandon Roy.

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