New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony were selected as the NBA's top players for the first week of the 2009-10 season, ending on November 1.

Howard was quite simply a force for the season's first seven days, leading the defending Eastern Conference champions to a 3-0 record. He posted averages of 21.7 points, 16.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for Orlando, posting a double-double in each contest. His best performance came on October 30 at New Jersey, scoring 20 points and pulling down 22 rebounds in a 95-85 win.

Anthony led the NBA with a whopping 37.7 points per game as the Nuggets also finished 3-0 last week. The seventh-year pro did not fail to score less than 30 points in any contest, turning in a 42-point performance in a 133-123 decision over Memphis on Sunday.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston swingman Paul Pierce, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, Houston swingman Trevor Ariza and Miami guard Dwyane Wade.