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The Milwaukee Bucks’ T.J. Ford and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 6.

After missing a year and a half with a career-threatening spinal injury, Ford averaged 16.7 points, 10.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 40 minutes per game to guide the Bucks to their first 3-0 start since the 2001-02 season. Ford recorded career highs in assists with 14 against Philadelphia on Nov. 1 and in points with 21 versus New Jersey on Nov. 2.

Bryant led the Lakers to a 2-1 start, averaging a league-high 36.3 points, to go along with 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 42.3 minutes per game this week. In the Lakers’ road opener on Nov. 2, Bryant hit a game-winning 23-foot jumper with 0.6 second remaining in overtime to defeat the Nuggets 99-97.

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

T.J. Ford, Milwaukee Bucks -- Nov. 1 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 16 points, a career-high 14 assists and nine rebounds as the Bucks defeated the Sixers 117-108 in overtime... Nov. 2 @ New Jersey: Recorded a career-high 21 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 110-96 win over the Nets... Nov. 5 vs. Miami: Had a double-double of 13 points and 11 assists, as well as five rebounds in a 105-100 win over the Heat.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers -- Nov. 2 @ Denver: Recorded 33 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a 99-97 overtime win over the Nuggets... Nov. 3 vs. Phoenix: Had 39 points, including 13-of-14 from the free throw line, seven rebounds and five assists in a 122-112 loss to the Suns... Nov. 6 vs. Denver: Tallied 37 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 112-92 defeat of the visiting Nuggets.

Other nominees for Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Cleveland’s LeBron James, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, Houston’s Yao Ming, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson, New Orleans/Oklahoma City’s P.J. Brown, Portland’s Darius Miles, San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Seattle’s Ray Allen.

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