Kevin Love and rookie Michael Carter-Williams earn NBA Player of the Week honors

One of the surprise stories of the NBA season has been the Philadelphia 76ers’ fast start.  Led by Michael Carter-Williams, a tall point guard and rookie sensation who has displayed an impressive overall floor game, the Sixers have won their first three games and stand alone atop the Atlantic Division.

Today the NBA recognized Carter-Williams' outstanding play, naming him and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively.

Carter-Williams is only the second player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992 to earn the honor at the beginning of his rookie season. The 11th overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Syracuse University, Carter-Williams helped guide the Sixers to wins over the defending champion Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls.

In his first three games, Carter-Williams averaged 20.7 points, and in his NBA debut on October 30, a 114-110 home win over the Heat, he recorded 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals, and seven rebounds. The nine steals were the most by a rookie in his NBA debut, while the 12 assists represented the second most for a player in his first NBA game (Buffalo's Ernie DiGregorio dished 14 assists in his NBA debut in 1973).

Lost in the Sixers surprise start is the undefeated 3-0 record of the Timberwolves. Love has led the way, putting up monster numbers after his disappointing injury-filled season last year. He currently is averaging a league-best 29.7 points, and had at least 30 points and 15 rebounds twice.

Here is a recap of the week for Carter-Williams and Love:

Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers

• Oct. 30 vs. Miami: Recorded 22 points, 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds in a 114-110 win over the Heat
• Nov. 1 @ Washington: Contributed 14 points, five assists and three boards in a 109-102 victory at Washington.
• Nov. 2 vs. Chicago: Posted a double-double with 26 points and 10 assists in a 107-104 win against the Bulls.

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

• Oct. 30 vs. Orlando: Scored 37 points, including a three to force overtime, and grabbed 17 rebounds in a 120-115 OT win over the Magic.
• Nov. 1 vs. Oklahoma City: Posted 24 points, 12 rebounds and two steals in a 100-81 victory over the Thunder.
• Nov. 3 @ New York: Recorded 34 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in 109-100 road win against the Knicks.

Other nominees included Orlando’s Arron Afflalo; Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge; Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe; New Orleans’ Anthony Davis; Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant; Indiana’s Paul George; Detroit’s Greg Monroe; and the L.A. Clippers Chris Paul.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services