After averaging an astonishing 43.4 points in January, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant on Wednesday was named Western Conference Player of the Month.

Bryant scored a mind-boggling 81 points -- the second-highest total in NBA history -- against Toronto on January 22 and had four straight games with at least 45 points during the month, when the Lakers went 9-6.

His monthly average was the eighth highest in NBA history and the greatest by any player besides Wilt Chamberlain.

Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors after leading his squad to a 13-2 record, including 11 straight victories.

Billups averaged 20.5 points, 8.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds during the month, recording three games with at least 30 points and six games with at least nine assists.