The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award honors the guy we feel rocked the court harder than anyone else in the league. Also known as our NBA Baller of the Day, we give respect to a dude for stepping up in a big way. And to keep it fresh, rather than honoring the same superstars night after night, we make sure to look for lesser stars and role players who rose up and stomped the competition.

Also see NBA Daily game recaps and daily stat leaders. And talk with other fans on the InsideHoops.com basketball message board.


InsideHoops NBA Player of the Day
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes a scoring point guard who lately is fitting in very well on a team that is winning more than expected. Props to Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks.

In a 109-91 home win over the Denver Nuggets, Bibby in 34 minutes shot 7-of-10, including 5-of-6 three-pointers, for 20 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists (2 turnovers). Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups was held to 11 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The AP reports: The Hawks (20-10) reached 20 wins before New Year’s Day for the first time since the 1987-88 season, when second-year center Al Horford was 1. “It feels great, but we’ve got to stay focused and take care of business,” Horford said. “I think we’ve got all the right tools to be a winning team.” Atlanta completed its longest homestand of the season with a 7-1 record, including five straight wins. Its only loss was to Boston.

Also impressive on Monday:

- Derrick Rose (Bulls) visited New Jersey and dropped 21 points, 4 rebounds, 13 assists and 2 steals on Devin Harris and the Nets.

- Al Jefferson (Timberwolves) had 38 and 16 in a win over the Grizzlies.

- Shaquille O'Neal (Suns) shot 10-of-12 for 28 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks in a win over the Thunder.

- Russell Westbrook (Thunder) shot 12-of-16 for 31 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists (but 6 turnovers) in a loss to the Suns.

- Antawn Jamison (Wizards) on 23 shots had 30 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in a win over the Rockets.

- Andrei Kirilenko (Jazz) had 16 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks in a win over the 76ers. Deron Williams scored 27 in the win.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


InsideHoops NBA Player of the Day
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes a scoring swingman who returned from injury just in time to beat the reigning NBA champions. Congrats, Stephen Jackson of the Golden State Warriors.

In a 99-89 home win over the Boston Celtics, S-Jax played 46 of the game's 48 minutes and shot 9-of-17, including 3 three-pointers, plus 7-of-7 free throws for 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. He committed a ridiculously bad 6 turnovers, but still stepped up enough to be worthy of this honor.

Also rocking for the Warriors was Marco Belinelli, who shot 7-of-17, including 4-of-11 three-pointers, for 22 points, though he too had more turnovers than assists.

The AP reports: Jackson—who had missed the past four games with a sprained left hand— scored 15 points in the final period and Marco Belinelli totaled 22 for the Warriors, who have won five straight and 12 of 15 against the Celtics at home. Golden State lost 119-111 in Boston on Nov. 26 in the teams’ first meeting. “We’re looking for something to get us going. We’re looking for something to turn things around,” Jackson said. “This should give us some momentum and some confidence.”

Also on Friday: D-Wade (Heat) rocked the Bulls. Gerald Wallace (Bobcats) dropped 16 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists on the Nets. Al Jefferson (Timberwolves) hit the Knicks with 21 and 15. Allen Iverson (Pistons) hit the game-winner against the Thunder. Chris Paul (Hornets) dropped 26 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists on the Rockets, while Rafer Alston shot just 1-of-10 (Alston was just returning from injury, however). OJ Mayo (Grizzlies) unleashed 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists on the Pacers. Deron Williams (Jazz) had 17 points, 3 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals against the Mavericks. Chauncey Billups (Nuggets) hit the Sixers with 26 and 10 assists. And Jermaine O'Neal (RaptorS) went nutty, shooting 15-of-19 for 36 points and 9 rebounds against the Kings.


InsideHoops NBA Player of the Day
Friday, Dec. 26, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to a role-playing shooting guard who made a big splash when it counted on Christmas Day. Props to Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs.

In a 91-90 road win over the Phoenix Suns, Mason nailed the game-winner.

The AP reports: Roger Mason didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter until there were 4.3 seconds left. Then he came in and made the biggest shot of the game. Mason’s 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer Thursday gave the San Antonio Spurs a 91-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns. “As a shooter, you’re always prepared,” Mason said. “Coach put me in in that situation, and I knew if I had it, I was going to shoot it.” The Suns had taken the lead on Grant Hill’s layup on an out-of-bounds play with 4.3 seconds to go. After a timeout, Tony Parker drove toward the basket for San Antonio and threw to Mason, who was wide open because defender Jason Richardson had sagged toward the basket.

Mason was just 3-of-7 for 7 points, 4 rebounds and nothing else. But when you nail the game-winner on national television against a good team on XMas day, you get a head-nod.

Also on Thursday:

- Tim Duncan had 25 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Tony Parker had 27 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists. Obviously they were bigger factors than Roger Mason, but we enjoy shouting out the underdog when possible.

- A total team effort from the Magic beat the Hornets, who simply didn't show up to play.

- Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol helped the Lakers handle the Celtics.

- Mike James (Washington Wizards) shot 10-of-14 for 26 points, but more turnovers than assists, in a loss to the Cavaliers.

- Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) dropped 30 on the Trail Blazers. And Jason Kidd had 6 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the win.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Tuesday, Dec. 23

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games is a point guard who typically has been one of the league's weaker starters, but has exploded lately and Monday won East player of the week. Congrats, Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic.

In a 113-81 home win over the Golden State Warriors, Nelson in 28 minutes shot a perfect 9-of-9, including 4-of-4 three-pointers, for 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (just 1 turnover). Not an amazing game, and even less impressive considering it was against the Warriors, but still, Nelson deserves props. He's ballin' lately.

The AP reports: “I’m not stat-chasing, Player of the Week chasing or All-Star chasing, I’m just trying to help us win games,” Nelson said. “Honors like that, they’ll come to somebody on a team that’s winning, but we’ve got to keep winning.” ... “Jameer is carrying us right now,” said teammate Mickael Pietrus, who scored 14 points. “I’ve been telling him that he’s playing at an all-star level and if he keeps playing like this, he?s going to make an all-star team.”

Also yesterday, Kobe dropped 36 as the Lakers beat the Grizzlies.

Shoutout to Chris "Birdman" Andersen of the Denver Nuggets, who in a win over the Trail Blazers had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 6 blocks.

Also, Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal of the Toronto Raptors wrecked the Clippers.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Monday, Dec. 22

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games is a tie and goes to two point guards. Congrats to Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics.

In an 85-78 home win over the Detroit Pistons, Bibby in 38 minutes shot 10-of-13, including 6-of-6 three-pointers, for 27 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

The AP reports: Mike Bibby offered a shrug of indifference when asked about the Detroit Pistons’ recent domination of his Atlanta Hawks. Why should Bibby care about ancient history? Bibby wasn’t with the Hawks for any of those past losses to the Pistons, and the new point guard in the Atlanta lineup made an obvious difference, scoring a season-high 27 points in an 85-78 win against Detroit on Sunday. “We’re not worried about that,” Bibby said. “We’re trying to turn over a new leaf.”

And in a 124-105 home win over the New York Knicks, Rondo in 32 minutes shot 12-of-14 for 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The AP reports: “Rondo was unbelievable the third quarter,” Kevin Garnett said. “He totally took the game over. He had almost a perfect game.” ... Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni knew that stopping Rondo wasn’t a priority with all of Boston’s other scorers, and the guard made his team pay for it. “Well, Rondo’s good, that’s how he does it,” he said. “He’s fast and he’s playing with some good guys.”

A shoutout also goes to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers shot 7-of-16 for 24 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists (5 turnovers).

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to an athletic shooting guard known for occasional big scoring outburts. Congrats, Jamal Crawford of the Golden State Warriors.

In a 110-103 road win over the Charlotte Bobcats, Crawford in 46 minutes shot 14-of-26, including 5-of-8 three-pointers, plus 17-of-18 free throws for 50 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists (1 turnover).

The AP reports: Crawford was two points shy of his career high, and became the first Warrior to reach 50 points since Antawn Jamison did it in consecutive games in the 2000-01 season. Crawford continually beat Raja Bell and Raymond Felton off the dribble for layups or fouls, bringing the type of explosive offense the Warriors envisioned when they sent Al Harrington to the Knicks to get him. “I feel like I can pretty much get any shot I want,” Crawford said. “I let people off the hook by settling for jump shots.” Golden State played again without top scorers Corey Maggette (hamstring) and Stephen Jackson (hand), who is not expected to return until Friday, making Crawford the go-to guy.

Honorable mention has to go out to Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, who in a 106-103 road win over the New Jersey Nets shot 13-of-22, plus 16-of-18 free throws, for 43 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists (5 turnovers), 2 steals and 2 blocks. Wade was clearly good enough to win the InsideHoops.com Player of the Day award too, or at least tie with Crawford, but he's a known superstar and gets honored all the time, so when it's close, we like to shout out the underdog.

We also have to praise Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, who in a 99-90 win over the Sacramento Kings shot 10-of-15 for 34 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists (just 1 turnover) and 8 steals.

As with Wade, CP3 easily dominated enough to win the award himself, but aside for the 4 or 5 extra baskets and those 5 or 6 extra steals, he puts up games like this pretty regularly. He and Wade are superstars.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to a super-quick, young scoring point guard who torched his former team. Congrats, Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets.

In a 121-97 home win over the Dallas Mavericks, Harris in 39 minutes shot 14-of-25, including 5-of-9 three-pointers, plus 8-of-8 free throws, for 41 points, 3 rebounds, 13 assists (4 turnovers) and 3 steals.

The player Devin was traded for, Jason Kidd, scored 17 (6-of-11 shooting) but was unspectacular with 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.

The AP reports: "You always feel good for a guy that’s been traded, you know, there’s always something a little extra in the tank. You feel real good for him,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. “(Devin had a) special night, but he works his tail off every night. It’s good to have reinforcement with all that hard work that you can have special nights like this. But he’s had a lot of special nights.”

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Friday, Dec. 19, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to one of the brightest young star guards in the league, Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers.

In a 124-119 home Blazers win over the Phoenix Suns, B-Roy played 44 minutes and shot 14-of-27, including 5-of-7 three-pointers and 19-of-21 free throws, for 52 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. He had 0 turnovers.

The AP reports: “I think this is by far the best offensive game I’ve had,” Roy said. “I can’t say the basket was big, but my confidence was huge tonight. I just felt like every shot I took was going to go in.”

The AP reports: “It really felt like a quiet 52 points. He was just knocking down shots,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “You almost expect him to do this night after night.” The 6-foot-6 guard, averaging 36.4 points in his last five games, was serenaded with chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” from the Rose Garden crowd.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to a budding young star who is getting better by the month. Congrats, Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers.

In a 127-120 Pacers home win over the Golden State Warriors, Granger played 40 minutes and shot 11-of-27 and 17-of-17 free throws for 41 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, a steal and two blocks.

The AP reports: Granger, who signed a five-year extension worth up to $65 million earlier this season, knows that to truly be a leader, he needs to make the plays late in games, and they need to translate to wins. I always try to tell myself, ‘In the fourth quarter, I have to be more aggressive than I have been throughout the game,’ and it’s been working well for me,” Granger said. “I always want to take the big shot.”

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to an NBA superstar shooting guard who often gets written off because he hasn't advanced in the playoffs and has plenty of injury woes. Congrats, Tracy McGrady.

In a 108-96 Rockets home win over the Denver Nuggets, T-Mac played 37 minutes and shot 8-of-17 for 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists (3 turnovers) and 3 blocks. A solid triple-double.

Teammate Yao Ming was great, too, shooting 13-of-19 for 32 points and 7 rebounds.

The AP reports: “It was, overall, a great effort on our part,” said McGrady, who also had three blocked shots and a steal. “We can be a dangerous team, when we’ve got the defense as well, clicking like that, we can be a pretty good team.”

The AP reports: McGrady has been bothered by a sore left knee all season, but he looked as spry as ever on Tuesday night. He had a triple-double by the end of the third quarter—15 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists—and finished his big night with a 3-pointer in the final minute, his third of the game.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Monday, Dec. 15, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to an athletic rookie stud who could be a star for years to come. Congrats, O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies.

In a 102-86 Grizzlies home win over the Miami Heat, Mayo in almost 41 minutes shot 8-of-17, and 4-of-4 three-pointers, for 28 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

For the season, the young combo guard is shooting 46.7%, nailing 42.5% of his three-pointers, for 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals.

The Grizzlies have now won four games in a row.

The AP reports: “As long as we play together, open it up for each other making an extra pass, a screen to get your teammate open, then I feel it makes the game a lot easier for us,” Mayo said.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Friday, Dec. 12, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to a big-man with far greater shooting range than most of his peers, Mehmet Okur of the Utah Jazz.

In a 97-88 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Okur played almost 40 minutes, shooting 9-of-14 for 27 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.

Utah is still playing without Carlos Boozer, which puts more pressure on on Okur to step up.

The AP reports: “I felt good, especially in the first half. I was able to mix up my game,” Okur said. “In the second half I didn’t want to shoot any tough shots over the hand or anything like that, so second half everybody got involved and it was a big game for us.” Okur also played well defensively as the Jazz outscored the Trail Blazers in the paint 44-32 despite playing their 12th straight game without leading scorer and rebounder Carlos Boozer (thigh).

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to a scoring small forward who put up buckets in a big way last night.

The award goes to Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets, who in a 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves went bonkers and scored 33 points in the third quarter, finishing with 45 points for the game.
In almost 39 minutse, Melo shot 16-of-29, including 4-of-8 three-pointers, for 45 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.

The AP reports: "Carmelo Anthony had an easier time matching the NBA record for points in a quarter than he did trying to figure it out. Anthony matched George Gervin’s NBA record with 33 points in the third and finished with a season-high 45 points in the Denver Nuggets’ 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night... Gervin scored 33 points for San Antonio in the second quarter against New Orleans on April 9, 1978. Anthony broke the franchise record of 32 set by David Thompson against Detroit, also on April 9, 1978."


Friday, Dec. 5, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games is a tie and goes to two star big-men.

We're giving it to Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

In a 108-91 Spurs win over the Denver Nuggets, Duncan shot 7-of-12 for 21 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks.

The AP reports: “I think as a team we played some of our best basketball,” Duncan said. “We were a lot more consistent defensively. In the second half they were a lot more aggressive getting to the rim. There was a stretch there where we were fouling people too much, but other than that, consistently throughout the game we played well, we moved the ball well and Manu and Tony scored some points.”

And, in a 112-97 Mavs win over the Phoenix Suns, Nowitzki shot 17-of-25 for 39 points and 9 rebounds.

The AP reports: "Nowitzki scored 14 points in the first quarter, nine in the second and 14 in the third. He was 16-of-21 at that point and the Mavericks were comfortably ahead going into the final period. “I felt like I hadn’t been shooting the ball extremely good, only in the low 40 percent, and that’s not going to cut it,” Nowitzki said. “But my shot felt good tonight and I got some good looks.”




Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to one of the best young point guards in basketball, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics.

The ever-improving bolt of lightening messed around and got his first career triple-double.

In a 114-96 home win over the Indiana Pacers, Rondo, playing 40.5 minutes, shot 5-of-10 and 6-of-7 free throws for 16 points, 13 rebounds, 17 assists (4 turnovers) and 3 steals.

“He was amazing,” said Kevin Garnett to the Associated Press after the game. “It was like there was three Rondos. I looked up and it came off the rim and he is grabbing a rebound, then I got back on defense and he beat me back. He was everywhere tonight.”

“(Allen) Iverson, (Nate) Archibald and Isiah (Thomas) are all little guys who could score,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers to the Associated Press. “Rondo is more of a playmaking point guard with the rare combination of speed and quickness. It is a perfect fit for this team because we have so many great scorers.”

Rondo is the real deal. But you should already know that.

Hit InsideHoops.com every day for the fullest, coolest pro basketball coverage on the web.


Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to the entire Indiana Pacers team. But that's against the rules. So we have to pick one player, and we're going with Troy Murphy.

In a 118-117 win over the league-leading Los Angeles Lakers, Murphy played almost 38 minutes and shot 7-of-12 for 16 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. And his tip-in at the buzzer won it for the Pacers.

The AP reports: "Murphy’s game-winner completed an improbable comeback and gave the Pacers a desperately needed 118-117 victory after replay reviews confirmed the basket was good. “That’s purely unbelievable,” Granger said. “Troy is a monster on the boards. He gobbles up so many rebounds, and I’m glad he got it because I couldn’t get to it.” The Lakers (14-2) entered with a seven-game winning streak, the league’s best record and a perfect 5-0 mark on the road. So when they closed the third quarter with a 17-0 run to take a 101-86 lead, it seemed as if the Lakers were destined for yet another rout."

Other Pacers stepped up, too. Danny Granger had 32 points, but he needed 27 shots to get it. TJ Ford was terrific with 21 points, 8 assists and 3 steals. Rasho Nesterovic shot well for 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

Murphy played with big-time heart, though. Granger will win the InsideHoops.com Player of the Day in the future, we're sure. Today, Murphy gets it.


Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008

The InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award for yesterday's games goes to Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

In a 130-129 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, D-Wade shot 12-of-28 with 12-of-13 free throws for for 37 points, 5 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 blocks. He did commit 7 turnovers, but still had a great game.

Now, to keep this in perspective, almost everyone on Earth is having monster games against the defenseless Warriors these days. But Wade rose up and willed his team to victory.

The AP reports: "Wade has put together three straight strong games. He scored a team-best 26 points and tied a season high with 11 assists against the Clippers on Saturday night but missed a 3-pointer that could have won it. That performance came after he scored a season-best 43 points in a win at Phoenix the previous night. In his three previous visits to Oakland, Wade averaged 29 points and 10 assists."

Props must also go to Udonis Haslem for his hard work.


Monday, Dec. 1, 2008

There were five games on Sunday, and the InsideHoops.com NBA Player of the Day award goes to Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets, who is totally destroying everyone lately.

In a 117-109 Nets win in Phoenix against the Suns, Harris shot 14-of-25 and 17-of-17 free throws for 47 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.

The AP reports: Harris scored a career-high 47 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, and the New Jersey Nets ended their 14-game losing streak at Phoenix by rallying to beat the Suns 117-109 Sunday night... Harris, whose previous high was 38, hit 14 of 25 field goals and 17 of 17 free throws in a dazzling performance. “I was just in attack mode,” Harris said. “That’s the key to my pull-up jumper. Before in my career, I wasn’t able to hit it with any consistency.”

Harris is emerging as a super-scoring point guard this season.