The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively.
Bryant's honor was another cruel reminder for Laker fans who are now left to ponder "what if," after seeing their star suffer a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Lakers’ 118-116 win over Golden State. Bryant had been playing heavy minutes throughout the week in an effort to will his team into the playoffs.
Overall, the Lakers went 4-0 on the week, including a 3-0 mark in the games where Bryant appeared. During the week, Bryant led the league in scoring (37 ppg), ranked second in the West in steals (2.67 spg), and added 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists.
Bryant, the NBA’s fourth all-time leading scorer (31,617 points), finished the 2012-13 campaign with averages of 27.3 points, a career-high-tying 6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.
Meanwhile, the hot-shooting Anthony captured his second straight Player of the Week award, helping the Knicks to a 3-1 week. He led the East in scoring (32 ppg) and ranked seventh in rebounding (11.5 rpg). Anthony extended his streak of consecutive 30-plus point games to seven before having it snapped during New York’s 90-80 victory over Indiana.
Other nominees included Atlanta’s Josh Smith, Brooklyn’s Deron Williams, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay, and Utah’s Al Jefferson.
Here is a recap of the week for Anthony and Bryant:
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
April 9 vs. Washington: Scored 36 points and added eight rebounds and six assists in a 120-99 win over the Wizards.
April 11 @ Chicago: Tallied 36 points and added a season-high 19 rebounds during a 118-111 overtime loss to the Bulls.
April 12 @ Cleveland: Posted 31 points and collected 14 rebounds during a 101-91 win over the Cavaliers.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
April 9 @ New Orleans: Tallied 30 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals during a 104-96 win over the Hornets.
April 10 @ Portland: Scored 47 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals in a 113-106 win over the Trail Blazers.
April 12 vs. Golden State: Collected 34 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 118-116 win over the Warriors.
By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services
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