Bryant and Rose Earn Player of the Week Honors

The Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, January 9, through Sunday, January 15.

Despite a torn ligament in his shooting wrist, Bryant has been on an absolute tear of late, leading the league with his 32-point scoring average.

Bryant guided the Lakers to a 3-1 week, and led the league in scoring during that time with a 43 points-per-game average. Bryant tallied at least 40 points in each of the Lakers’ four games, with an impressive 48-5-3 effort in the Lakers 99-83 win over the Phoenix Suns on January 10.

Rose averaged 24 points and 9.3 assists while logging 38.8 minutes per contest as he helped the Bulls to a 5-0 week. Rose appeared in four of the Bulls’ five games, and posted two double-doubles, including a 31-point, 11-assist effort in Chicago’s 111-100 victory over Minnesota.

The Bulls currently lead the NBA with a 12-2 (.857) record.

Here is a recap of the week for Rose and Bryant:

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Jan. 9 vs. Detroit: Recorded 22 points and eight assists in a 92-68 win over the Pistons.

Jan. 10 vs. Minnesota: Tallied 31 points and 11 assists during a 111-100 victory over the Timberwolves.

Jan. 14 @ Toronto: Closed the week with 18 points, 11 assists and three steals during a 77-64 win over the Raptors.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Jan. 10 vs. Phoenix: Racked up 48 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 99-83 victory over the Suns.

Jan. 11 @ Utah: Tallied 40 points and added eight rebounds during a 90-87 win over the Jazz.

Jan. 13 vs. Cleveland: Posted 42 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Lakers bested the Cavaliers 97-92.

Other nominees included Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Detroit’s Greg Monroe, Houston’s Kyle Lowry, Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Orlando’s Dwight Howard and Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald