Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder were named the Eastern and Western Conference February Rookies of the Month. Lopez ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in points per game (15.9), rebounds per game (8.5), field goal percentage (61.0) 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 versus the Sacramento Kings, including a career-high 20 free-throws made and on Feb. 21, had a career-high 13 field goals against the Golden State State Warriors.

Photos: Stephen Dunn (Brook Lopez) and Chris Graythen (Russell Westbrook)/Getty Images

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers were named the Eastern and Western Conference February Players of the Month. Wade led the Eastern Conference in scoring (30.7 ppg) while shooting 50.2% from the field, 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 versus the Orlando Magic. 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 versus the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. Gasol averaged 20.9 points on 58.6% shooting and 10.9 rebounds – second in the Western Conference behind teammate Lamar Odom (13.4 rpg).

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Last Friday, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal dropped 45 points on the Toronto Raptors, making 20 of 25 shots from the field, in a 133-113 Suns victory to which Raptors forward Chris Bosh says Shaq cheated. Bosh's beef was that Shaq simply stays in the box area for more than the allowed three seconds and doesn't get called for it and since no one can match the Diesel's strength, opposing players are as Shaq says, "barbecued chicken down there.”

In any case, the always humorous and quotable O'Neal responded to Bosh's comments by calling him "the RuPaul of big men." What that means, I can only imagine. But what's clear is this - Shaq Daddy still brings the comedy.

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It was only a matter of time before disgruntled and ostracized point guard Stephon Marbury and the New York Knicks went their separate ways. The Knicks bought out some percentage of the rest of Marbury's contract this season for which terms of the deal were not disclosed. Since the Knicks let Marbury go before March 1st, he is now eligible to play in the postseason should/when Marbury joins a team. The two teams most mentioned showing interest in him have been the defending champion Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.

It would make the most sense for Marbury to go to the Celtics, if only because he will have veterans there that can keep him in line. If you didn't know, Marbury can be somewhat of a divisive force. In any case, Boston is a destination that will keep him humble because they are the defending champions and Marbury has never won a playoff series. What could Marbury possibly say to Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, or Paul Pierce? Nothing. He'd just have to keep quiet, come off the bench (because Rajon Rondo is the indubitable starter), play nice and ride the wave of the playoffs that will surely come with playing for the Celtics.

If Marbury signs somewhere else, like Miami, it won't work because there aren't any established veterans that he would have to respect. Sure, Dwyane Wade is there and he has a title, but I have a feeling, somewhere deep inside, Marbury thinks he's better than Wade. And, to be honest, when you're a competitor, that has to be your way of thinking. Common sense says you fall back to Wade, but we are dealing with STARbury here.

The only other team I can see Marbury behaving and excelling in a bench role is with the Los Angeles Lakers because Kobe Bryant will have Marbury's respect and Kobe wants another title as much as anyone else in the NBA, so Bryant would make this work. However, with Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar, Marbury won't be going to the Lakers simply because there is no room for him.

It's going to be Boston or Bust.

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