The votes are in and final, and here we announce the Players of the Week
and Rookies of the Week for Week 19!
East –
Kobe Bryant
Fitting much? Quite! For the 2nd time this season we see Kobe
Bryant named POTW for the last time in his career as he pipped Kevin Durant on preference
votes, with both players having the same 1st place nominations. Kobe
went throwback styles this week not only putting in his highest scoring week of
the season, but averaging an astounding 41.3 points on 52% shooting, doing all
he could to keep the Raptors in the playoff hunt. He also pitched in 4.8
rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0.5 blocks and shot it 47% from deep and 94% from
the line on 9 attempts a game. If there was any doubt that Kobe is an NLL 1st
ballot hall of famer and can still get the job done, even at the age of 37,
there’s none now, and the Raptors are going to need to rely heavily on their
retiring superstar with all the other injuries surrounding him. Congratulations
Kobe Bryant on 2x POTW!
West –
Paul George
It was a landslide vote in the West with Paul George taking 60% of the 1st
place votes to easily account for Lou Williams and earn his 2nd POTW
award of the season. The Wolves have been decimated by injury to their big men
in the crucial weeks heading into the playoffs, which leaves them looking like
a true toss of the coin proposition to even make the playoffs, but PG13 has
stepped it up back at the PF position to try and will his team into the post
season. He averaged 32.8 points, far above his former best week of the season,
along with an astounding 10.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.3 blocks
while shooting it a crazy 61% from the floor, 78% from deep and 100% from the
line on 8 attempts a game. Inspiring stuff from PG and just a taste of what the
Wolves fans hope he can put up for them for years to come as they look to make
consecutive playoff runs. Congratulations Paul George on 2x POTW!
West
Rookie – DAngelo Russell
Put your hand up if you’re surprised by this award winner? Yeah, no hands.
DRuss claims his 8th ROTW award in what has been a stellar rookie
season for the kid. He had 60% of the 1st place votes to beat out
Emmanuel Mudiay, and poured in 25.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.5
steals and 0.3 blocks on 48% shooting as the primary option for the Clips. He
shifted to SG this week, which had the ball out of his hands a lot more, hence
the massive drop in assists, but he still got the job done and was a lot more
efficient overall compared to what he might usually do (he had 6 turnovers a game
the week prior). He’s been the hands down best rookie out West all year, as the
awards attest, and he’s going to be a frontrunner for the top rookie award in a
few weeks time. Congratulations DAngelo Russell on 8x ROTW!
East
Rookie – Kristaps Porzingis
With 90% of the 1st
place votes, Kristaps Porzingis completes the 100% strike rate of nominations
to award wins for the season, of the Rookie variety. He claimed his 9th
ROTW award here ahead of teammate Myles Turner with averages of 13.8 points,
10.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks with only 0.8 turnovers a
game. This was nearly his worst week of the season actually, which kind of
speaks volumes for the competition he had to go up against in the East. He’s
been a pillar for the entire season though in Charlotte and the future will be
in good hands with a multi-faceted big man here surrounded by young wings and
stud young PG also. Congratulations Kristaps Porzingis on 9x ROTW!
Congratulations
to the winners in Week 19, and may the odds be forever in your favour!
