AND THE WINNERS ARE ...

The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games played during February. Wade led the Eastern Conference in scoring (30.7 ppg) while shooting .502 from the field, and ranked second in assists (8.7 apg) and fourth in steals (2.0 spg). Gasol averaged 20.9 points on .586 shooting and 10.9 rebounds ? second in the Western Conference behind teammate Lamar Odom (13.4 rpg).

The Cleveland Cavaliers' Mike Brown and the Utah Jazz's Jerry Sloan today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in February. Brown led the Cavaliers to the best record in the Eastern Conference (9-3, .750), including wins over the Pistons, Spurs and Suns. Sloan guided Utah to an NBA-best 10-1 (.909) mark, the best record in team history during February.

The New Jersey Nets' Brook Lopez and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook today were named the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in February. Lopez ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in points per game (15.9), rebounds per game (8.5), field goal percentage (.610) and blocks per game (1.7). Westbrook ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (20.6 ppg), second in assists (5.9 apg), fifth in rebounds (6.1 rpg) and fourth in double-doubles (2).

The New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris and the New Orleans Hornets' David West today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Feb. 23-March 1. Harris led the Nets to a 2-1 week, pacing the league in scoring (35.7 ppg), and was second in the Eastern Conference in assists (9.3 apg) and minutes (42.7 mpg). West helped the Hornets to a 4-0 week, averaging a team-best 28.5 points to go along with 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

Stats & Stuff

Detroit, which had lost eight straight games, has won its last two -- road contests at Orlando and Boston. The Pistons are 15-14 on the road. Including the losses to the Pistons, the Magic and Celtics are a combined 47-12 at home. Since Tracy McGrady was lost for the season (microfracture knee surgery), Houston is 6-1. Since McGrady went down, Ron Artest is averaging 21.1 points on .491 shooting. For the season, Artest is averaging 16.6 points and shooting .399 from the field. Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 49 points in the Lakers' loss at Phoenix Sunday. It was Bryant's 96th career 40-point game. Only Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173) recorded more 40-point games. Dallas' Jason Kidd, who ranks fourth all time in career assist dished out 15 dimes vs. Toronto Saturday, including his 10,000th career assist. With 10,002 assists, Kidd trails only John Stockton (15,806), Mark Jackson (10,334) and Magic Johnson (10,141). At his current pace of 8.4 assists per game, Kidd can pass Johnson and move into third place before the season ends. Four players are averaging a points-rebounds double-double: the Los Angeles Clippers' Zach Randolph, Minnesota's Al Jefferson, Orlando's Dwight Howard and San Antonio's Tim Duncan. Over the past six games, Philadelphia's Andre Miller is averaging 21.5 points after averaging 13.0 points the five games prior. Miller has scored at least 20 points in 10 of the past 26 games after doing so six times the first 32 games of the season. In 26 games since Jan. 1, the Los Angeles Clippers' Eric Gordon is averaging 20.3 points, the most of any rookie in that time period.

Today's Quote

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, who has scored 78 points and converted 33-of-43 shots over his last two games:

"A lot of people thought I lost it. It's kind of funny to me. When I say I'm injured, no one really believes me. Last year I was injured. This year I'm feeling pretty good."

Arizona Republic, March 2, 2009







MIAMI'S WADE AND LOS ANGELES LAKERS’ GASOL NAMED
NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Los Angeles
Lakers’ Pau Gasol today were named the Eastern and Western Conference
Players of the Month presented by Kia Motors, respectively, for games
played during February.

Wade led the Eastern Conference in scoring (30.7 ppg) while shooting .502
from the field, and ranked second in assists (8.7 apg) and fourth in steals
(2.0 spg), as the Heat went 6-6. Wade scored at least 20 points in every
game and on Feb. 22, he tallied a career-high 50 points at Orlando. He
paced the Heat in scoring 11 times and in assists 10.

Gasol helped the Lakers to an 11-2 record in February that included
back-to-back wins at Boston and at Cleveland. Gasol averaged 20.9 points
on .586 shooting and 10.9 rebounds – second in the Western Conference
behind teammate Lamar Odom (13.4 rpg).

Here is a closer look at the month for Wade and Gasol:

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Feb. 22 @ Orlando: Scored career-high 50 points in a 122-99 loss.
Feb. 24 vs. Detroit: Tallied 31 points and a career-high 16 assists in a
103-91 victory.
Feb. 28 vs. New York: Recorded 46 points – 24 in the fourth -- 10 assists
and eight boards in a 120-115 win.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Feb. 5 @ Boston: Recorded 24 points and 14 rebounds in a 110-109 victory.
Feb. 8 @ Cleveland: Tallied 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a
101-91 win.
Feb. 17 vs. Atlanta: Recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his
third career in a 96-83 win.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month
presented by Kia Motors were Boston’s Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo,
Charlotte’s Boris Diaw, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Golden State’s Stephen
Jackson, Houston’s Yao Ming, Milwaukee’s Ramon Sessions, New Jersey’s Devin
Harris, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Utah’s Deron Williams.

The Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month presented by Kia
Motors are part of a series of on-court performance awards called “The NBA
Performance Awards Presented by Kia Motors.” The series, currently in its
second season, is part of a multiyear marketing partnership between Kia
Motors America and the NBA, and includes four of the league’s most
prestigious year-end honors: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player
of the Year, Sixth Man Award, and Most Improved Player. As part of its
support of the Performance Awards, Kia Motors will donate a brand-new 2010
Borrego SUV or Sedona minivan to the charity of choice of each 2009 award
winner. For more information on the “The NBA Performance Awards Presented
by Kia Motors” visit www.NBA.com/performanceawards.


Tune in tonight as Dallas takes on Oklahoma City at 8 pm ET on NBA TV - The
Game Happens Here.

http://www.nba.com/




NEW JERSEY’S LOPEZ AND OKLAHOMA CITY’S WESTBROOK
NAMED T-MOBILE ROOKIES OF THE MONTH

The New Jersey Nets’ Brook Lopez and the Oklahoma
City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named the Eastern and Western
Conference T-Mobile Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in
February.

Lopez ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in points per game
(15.9), rebounds per game (8.5), field goal percentage (.610) and blocks
per game (1.7). The first-year center, drafted 10th overall in 2008,
started all 10 games in February and posted three double-doubles.

Westbrook ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (20.6 ppg),
second in assists (5.9 apg), fifth in rebounds (6.1 rpg) and fourth in
double-doubles (2). In addition, Westbrook scored 20 or more points six
times and 30 or more points three times. On Feb. 1, Westbrook had a
career-high 34 points at Sacramento including a career-high 20 free throws
made and on Feb. 21, had a career-high 13 field goals at Golden State.

Here is a recap of the month for both Lopez and Westbrook:

Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets

Feb. 3 vs. Milwaukee: Recorded 22 points and 12 rebounds, his first of
three double-doubles for the month, in a 99-85 win over the Bucks.
Feb. 4 Feb. 4 @ Washington: Tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 115-88
win over the Wizards.
Feb. 8 @ Orlando: Posted 19 points and 12 rebounds in a 101-84 loss to the
Magic.
Feb. 17 @ Houston: Registered 21 points, nine rebounds and added four
blocks in an 88-114 loss to the Rockets.


Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Feb. 1 @ Sacramento: Scored a career-high 34 points and had six rebounds
and eight assists in a 122-118 OT loss to the Kings.
Feb. 11 @ Portland: Scored 21 points and added 12 assists in a 106-92 loss
to the Trailblazers.
Feb. 21 @ Golden State: Posted 31 points, five rebounds and 11 assists in
the Thunder’s 133-120 loss to the Warriors.
Feb. 27 @ Dallas: Registered 33 points, eight rebounds, and five assists
and two steals in a 110-108 OT loss to the Mavericks.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference T-Mobile Rookies of
the Month were the Chicago’s Derrick Rose, Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric
Gordon, Memphis’ O.J. Mayo, and Miami’s Michael Beasley.

In support of a season-long effort to better the various youth communities
in Phoenix, the Host City of NBA All-Star 2009, T-Mobile will donate $20
per point scored on behalf of the players named the T-Mobile Rookies of the
Month. For the month of February, T-Mobile will donate $4940 on behalf of
the Thunder’s Westbrook and $3180 on behalf of the Nets’ Brook Lopez.

# # #

The donation is part of the overall T-Mobile Rookie Program and builds on
T-Mobile’s strong appeal to the nation’s youth as the official wireless
partner of the NBA. Other highlights of T-Mobile’s partnership with the NBA
include the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, T-Mobile Rookie of the Month
Awards, and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star
competition between NBA rookies and second-year players. During NBA
All-Star 2009, T-Mobile and NBA Cares hosted more than 3,500 local students
from four school districts in Phoenix, to sit in the lower bowl of the
arena to watch this year’s T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday,
February 13.





NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE EXPANDS TO PORTLAND, MAINE
-TEAM TO BEGIN PLAY NEXT SEASON-

The NBA Development League has awarded an expansion team to Portland, Maine for the 2009-10 season, NBA D-League President Dan Reed announced today at a press conference at Portland High School. The team, which is the first expansion franchise awarded for the 2009-10 season, will play at the Portland Expo Center.

The franchise will be owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group and Bill Ryan Jr., who owns and operates Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, will serve as the team’s president and general manager.

Today’s announcement, the NBA D-League’s first foray into New England, was held in front of the school’s student body while featuring Reed, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham, the Celtics Dancers, and a speech by the Portland High Student Body President Brian Furey.

“Expansion to Portland is another example of the health and growth of the NBA D-League,” said Reed. “We are very pleased to add Bill Ryan Sr., Bill Ryan Jr., and Jon Jennings to our ownership ranks, as they bring a wealth of business, sports operations, and basketball experience on behalf of the team and the community. I’m confident that fans throughout the state of Maine will enjoy our world-class level of basketball featuring current and future NBA players, as well as appreciate the team's family-friendly environment, affordable prices, and positive impact on the Portland and Maine community."

“I’m overjoyed to bring NBA D-League basketball to Portland,” said Jennings. “We’ve already established strong relationships with the people of this community, and we can’t wait to get underway next season. I know that this team will have a long and exciting future in Maine.”

Portland will be affiliated with two NBA team parent-clubs, which will be able to assign their first and second year players to the club a maximum of three times during a season. Thus far, the 2008-09 NBA D-League season has had 22 NBA players assigned on 24 occasions to NBA D-League affiliates as players continue to develop their game. An announcement regarding Portland’s NBA team affiliations will occur during the offseason.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout this season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.






NBA AND WNBA HELP TEENS TAKE THEIR BEST SHOT AT HEALTH WITH
NEW VACCINES FOR TEENS EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN

- NBA All-Star Grant Hill and Three-Time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie Urge Teens
to Stay in the Game and Get Vaccinated -

The National Basketball Association (NBA)and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), in collaboration
with the Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) and sanofi pasteur (the
vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group), today announced the
launch of Vaccines for Teens, a national multimedia campaign designed to
educate teens and their parents about the importance of vaccination
against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

Vaccines for Teens tipped off today at an event at Cordova Primary
School in Phoenix, Arizona with Grant Hill, a seven-time NBA All-Star
and member of the Phoenix Suns, who will serve as a spokesperson for the
campaign. Hill, who will appear in the nationally broadcast public
service announcement (PSA), was on hand for a special screening of the
initiative’s first PSA. The PSA will debut nationally during the Friday,
February 27 broadcast of the Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic game on
ESPN at 7:00 pm EST.

Along with the PSA featuring Hill, a version featuring Los Angeles
Sparks center Lisa Leslie will also air nationally while Detroit Pistons
guard Richard Hamilton and NBA Legend and Hall of Famer George Gervin
will appear in PSAs that will be distributed in Detroit and San Antonio
areas respectively.

“Just like on the basketball court, when it comes to protecting teen
health, the best offense is a good defense,” said Grant Hill, national
Vaccines for Teens spokesperson and Phoenix Suns guard. “Vaccination is
an easy way to help teens grow into healthy adults, so our hope is that
parents will speak with their child’s health-care provider about
immunization.”

Teens are at risk for meningococcal disease, influenza, and whooping
cough, which can spread from person to person during everyday
activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
other leading medical groups recommend vaccination for preteens and
teens against all three of these diseases.


“Although there are safe and effective vaccines available to help
protect preteens and teens from these serious and contagious diseases,
immunization rates still remain alarmingly low,” said Dr. Richard
Kreipe, President of SAM. “Clearly, educational programs are still
critical, and Vaccines for Teens will utilize the widespread popularity
of professional basketball to reach teens and their parents with these
potentially life-saving messages.”

Vaccines for Teens will roll out a series of additional initiatives as
part of the campaign, including educational materials distributed
through the league’s Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, and a newly launched Web
site, www.vaccinesforteens.net, to educate teens and their parents and
encourage them to discuss immunization with their health care providers.

“Vaccines for Teens is a great complement to NBA Cares and WNBA Cares,
and our work with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that
support education, youth and family development, and health-related
causes,” said Kathy Behrens, NBA Executive Vice President, Social
Responsibility & Player Programs.

About Vaccine-Preventable Adolescent Diseases

Immunization is critically important for adolescents because they are at
risk for serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Additionally, immunity from some childhood vaccines, such as whooping
cough, may lessen over time, so teens who don’t receive a booster
vaccine may become vulnerable.

Meningococcal Disease / Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal disease, including meningococcal meningitis, is a very
serious disease that strikes between 1,000 to 2,600 people each year in
the U.S., and can progress very quickly. The CDC recommends that all
preteens and teens receive one meningococcal vaccine shot at 11 through
18 years of age.

Influenza, or the “Flu”

Influenza is a viral infection that can become serious enough to keep
teens home from school, sports, and other activities. It can sometimes
result in a visit to the hospital or lead to serious complications like
pneumonia or even death. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months
through 18 years of age receive an annual flu vaccination.

Pertussis, Commonly Called “Whooping Cough”

Pertussis is one of the most common respiratory diseases in American
teens and adults and can be life-threatening if spread to infants. The
CDC recommends a single dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular
pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for people 11 through 64 years of age.

About the Vaccines for Teens Campaign
The NBA and the WNBA are collaborating with the Society for Adolescent
Medicine (SAM) and sanofi pasteur on Vaccines for Teens, a national
program designed to help educate parents and their teens about the
importance of getting vaccinated.

About NBA Cares

NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds
on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the
United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, the
NBA, its teams and players have donated more than $97 million to
charity, provided more than 800,000 hours of hands-on service to
communities around the world, and created more than 350 places where
kids and families can live, learn, or play. NBA Cares works with
internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support
education, youth and family development, and health-related causes,
including: KaBOOM!, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America,
UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Global Business Coalition on
HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

About WNBA Cares

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs
that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis
on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image,
increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family
development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA,
log onto www.wnba.com.

About the Society for Adolescent Medicine

The Society for Adolescent Medicine (SAM) is the only multi-disciplinary
organization of health professionals committed exclusively to advancing
the health of adolescents world-wide. We enhance public and
professional awareness of adolescent health issues through education,
research, clinical services, and advocacy activities. SAM also promotes
the training of professionals about the unique health needs of
adolescents. SAM’s members believe that pre-teens, teenagers and young
adults receive the most effective care from professionals who have
specialized training or experience in adolescent health issues. For
more information on SAM, log onto www.adolescenthealth.org.




NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN STATEMENT
REGARDING THE PASSING OF LARRY MILLER

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued the following statement this evening regarding the passing of Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller:

"It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the
Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family. Larry's legacy extends
beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region
through his business ventures and charitable endeavors. The NBA lost a
great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him."





LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS’ ZACH RANDOLPH SUSPENDED


Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers has been suspended two games without pay for striking Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Randolph was assessed a Technical Foul and was also ejected, occurred with 32.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns 140-100 victory over the Clippers at US Airways Center on Feb. 17.

Randolph will begin serving his suspension tonight when the Clippers host the Suns at Staples Center.