Kobe Bryant reaches 30,000. Knicks retake control atop the East. Rolling Thunder.

History was made to mark the week in the association. Here are some of the happenings from Week 6 of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Kobe hits 30,000 points!

Photo ©Getty Images

In their December 6 (December 5, New Orleans time) game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant shot himself to the history as he reached the 30,000 point mark in his illustrious NBA career, making him the youngest player (34 years, 104 days) in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, all of which donning the purple and gold. He also becomes the 5th player in NBA history to reach the mark joining the likes of Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. The Lakers capped of the game with a win over the Hornets 103-87. However, the Lakers went into a slide after losing to the reigning Western Conference Champions Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz, as the Lakers are outside of the playoff picture out West in 11th place at 9-12. But for a player like Kobe Bryant who is always on a mission to win it all, a lot of work needs to be done in Tinseltown these days.

Knicks once again on top of the East.

Photo ©NBA/Knicks.com

In a very intense competition atop the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks have once again retook control atop the Eastern Conference as they stand at 15-5, a full game ahead of the reigning NBA champions Miami Heat who are at 13-5. While the Atlanta Hawks have made their way up the ladder and are now sitting in third place in the East at 12-5. While the Chicago Bulls lead the Central Division at 11-8. The Knicks have remained unbeaten at home in Madison Square Garden where they are 8-0. Carmelo Anthony has shouldered the load for the Knicks as he won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for Week 5 of the season. Things are looking bright in Manhattan, they are well in contention for a shot at the NBA championship, if their friends from South Beach or down the East River in Brooklyn have anything to say about their chances of winning the title this season.

 Eight in a row for the Thunder.

Photo ©NBA/Thunder.com

The reigning Western Conference Champions Oklahoma City Thunder have made it eight straight wins in a row picking up wins this week against the Brooklyn Nets in Brooklyn and against the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers at home. The Thunder are currently tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the NBA at 17-4. Once again, Kevin Durant has been leading the way for the Thunder bagging his second Western Conference Player of the Week award in Week 5 of the season, and he has been backed up well by the entire Thunder roster with players like Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Kevin Martin, Nick Collison and Kendrick Perkins to name a few helping out Durant this season. Indeed, these guys are ready to contend for another shot at the NBA title.

Meanwhile, LeBron James of the Miami Heat was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for October-November. James for the month finished with averages of 25.0 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and 6.5 assists per game on 53% field goal shooting. 

While Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder was crowned the Western Conference Player of the Month. Durant for October-November finished with averages of 26.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 4.4 assists per game and 1.6 blocks per game on 51% shooting from the field, 43% shooting from 3 point range and 89% shooting from the free throw line.

Also, the first Rookie of the Month selections of the season were named. For the month of October-November, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers took the honors in the Western Conference. Lillard stands out among the rookies alongside top pick Anthony Davis as he led all rookies in scoring (18.4 PPG), assists (5.9 APG) and steals (1.4 SPG) for the month.

While Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of the Charlotte Bobcats took top honors in the Eastern Conference. Kidd-Gilchrist finished the month with averages of 10.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.3 BPG.

The first Coach of the Month awards were also given. Out West, the award went to Lionel Hollins who led the Memphis Grizzlies to their best start in franchise history at 12-2 for the month. While Avery Johnson took the honors in the Eastern Conference as he led the Brooklyn Nets to also their best start in franchise history at 11-4 for the month.

Here's how the teams are faring across the association:

Western Conference:

1. Spurs (17-4), 2. Thunder (17-4), 3. Grizzlies (14-4), 4. Clippers (14-6), 5. Warriors (13-7), 6. Jazz (12-10), 7. Timberwolves (9-9), 8. Mavericks (10-10), 9. Nuggets (10-11), 10. Rockets (9-10), 11. Lakers (9-12), 12. Trail Blazers (8-12), 13. Kings (7-12), 14. Suns (7-15), 15. Hornets (5-14)

Eastern Conference:

1. Knicks (15-5), 2. Heat (13-5), 3. Hawks (12-5), 4. Bulls (11-8), 5. Nets (11-8), 6. 76ers (11-9), 7. Celtics (11-9), 8. Bucks (10-9), 9. Pacers (10-11), 10. Magic (8-12), 11. Bobcats (7-12), 12. Pistons (7-15), 13. Cavaliers (4-17), 14. Raptors (4-17), 15. Wizards (2-15)

17 of the 30 teams have picked up 10 wins this season, on both sides of the standings, things are looking clear and tightly contested on top of both conferences, at the same time in the middle of the standings, it is a log jam of teams trying to gain a better footing in the standings.

Stay tuned as a new edition of my NBA weekly blog comes out soon.

K-Smoove