yogee
Years ago
Mee, Goorjian win monthly honours
NBL PRess Release
Sydney Kings mentor Brian Goorjian and Wollongong Hawks import Darnell Mee have been announced as the winners of the National Basketball League (NBL) Philips Coach and Player of the Month awards respectively for December.
Mee had a standout December for the Hawks, averaging 15.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 2.1 steals over Wollongong's eight games.
Mee took out back-to-back Philips Player of the Week awards in December, winning the honour in both Round 12 and Round 13. The do-it-all American also performed the rare feat of back-to-back triple-doubles during the month.
The 198m guard's efforts helped the Hawks record a 5-4 overall record for the period.
The 33-year-old easily took out the monthly player honours with 60 votes, well clear of Melbourne Tigers veteran Andrew Gaze (19 votes) in second place and Brett Maher of Adelaide in third (18).
Goorjian also cruised to victory in the Philips Coach of the Month award. Goorjian received 65 votes to more than double his nearest rival, Adelaide 36ers coach Phil Smyth (32 votes).
The Kings went 5-1 between Round 10 and Round 14, including a perfect 4-0 at home. Sydney's only loss was a 102-94 defeat at the hands of the Adelaide 36ers on the road. Sydney did however rack up wins over likely title contenders Wollongong and Brisbane in that period.
Under Goorjian's guidance the Kings are currently the third-best defensive team in the league, holding sides to just 97 points per game on average. Sydney also lead the league in steals at an average of 10 per game.
The Kings currently sit atop the Philips Championship ladder, with a league-best 15-7 record. They are also one of just two teams with a road record of .500 for the 2004/05 season.
The NBL's Player and Coach of the Month for December takes into account rounds 10 to 14 inclusive (1 November - 28 November).
Full voting results are listed below.
The Philips Championship is proudly sponsored by Philips, Nike, Virgin Blue, Holiday Inn, FOX SPORTS, Molten, Coast 2 Coast and Thermoskin.
Philips Player of the Month
Darnell Mee (Wollongong) 60
Andrew Gaze (Melbourne) 19
Brett Maher (Adelaide) 18
Chris Burgess (Cairns) 10
Brian Wethers (Hunter) 9
Willie Farley (Adelaide) 8
Rob Brown (Townsville) 7
Adam Ballinger (Wollongong) 6
Nick Horvath (West Sydney) 5
Jason Smith (Sydney) 5
Bobby Brannen (Brisbane) 4
Dusty Rychart (Adelaide) 2
Derek Rucker (Brisbane) 2
Ontario Lett (Perth) 2
Pero Cameron (New Zealand) 1
Philips Coach of the Month
Brian Goorjian (Sydney) 65
Phil Smyth (Adelaide) 32
Joey Wright (Brisbane) 21
Brendan Joyce (Wollongong) 14
Lindsay Gaze (Melbourne) 10
Adrian Hurley (Hunter) 3
Mark Watkins (West Sydney) 1
Scott Fisher (Perth) 1
