The Miami Heat's LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant were today named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month, respectively, for games played in December.
James, who helped the Heat to an Eastern Conference-best 11-4 (.733) record, ranked second in the conference in scoring (24.6 ppg), fifth in field goal percentage (.581), sixth in assists (6.9 apg) and steals (1.64 spg), and 12th in rebounds (8.1 rpg).
Durant guided the Thunder to a 14-3 (.824) record including an 8-1 road mark, both NBA bests. Durant ranked second in the league in scoring at 29.4 ppg to go along with 9.0 rpg and 4.5 apg. He shot .535 from the field including .481 from beyond the arc, and .880 from the free throw line.
Other nominees for Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Indiana's Paul George and Lance Stephenson, the L.A. Clippers' Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Minnesota's Kevin Love, Orlando's Arron Afflalo, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge, and Toronto's Kyle Lowry.