Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks were named the best NBA players for the week ending Nov. 12.

Yao, the 2.26m Chinese center, averaged 29 points shooting at 55.7 percent and collecting 11.3 rebounds a game to lead the Rockets to four consecutive victories for the Western Conference honor.

He also recorded two double-doubles and was the Rockets’ leading scorer in three of their four games.

Johnson, who ended the week as the league's fifth leading scorer with 28.8 points a game, took the Eastern Conference honor after averaging 29 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games for the Hawks.

The forward has also become the first player in Atlanta's history to score at least 25 points in six straight games to open a season. His performances have helped the Hawks go 4-2 so far, their best start since 1998.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006)