The votes are in and final, and here we announce the Players of the Week and Rookies of the Week for Week 2!

East – James Harden

This weeks Eastern POTW is James Harden, who pipped Russell Westbrook. Harden was phenomenal for the Knicks this week torching the opponents to the tune of 42 points per game, while adding 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1 block per game, with only 1.8 turnovers and shooting it 47% from the field, and 100% from the line. That makes it 2 weeks straight that Harden hasn’t missed a free a throw, going 93/93 in 8 games…good for nearly 12 attempts per game! Despite the heroics, the Knicks went 2-2 this week, but the losses were a tough OT loss to the Bucks in which Harden scored 49 points, and a close 4 point loss to Sacramento where he dropped 51 points. Funnily enough, in the two wins he scored 34 points each. Look for this type of production to continue for James in at least Week 3 and 4, while Kyrie Irving continues his rehab, and the Knicks will ride him as hard as they can to get wins until the time comes that the pair is reunited on the court. Well done James!

West – Carmelo Anthony

Like the East, it was a close run thing out West for POTW with the top two choices actually tying in 1^st place votes, so it came down to the rest. The winner, Carmelo Anthony over Mike Conley. Melo lead the Rockets to a 3-1 week with the only blemish a loss to the Kings, on his way to 33 points, 9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 48% from the field, 46% from deep and 90% from the line. He’s lead the Rockets in scoring in all 8 of their games and will continue to do so at least until Brandon Jennings returns in a few weeks. He’ll try now to gel with new teammate Hassan Whiteside, and every team facing Melo should prepare to give up at least 30 points. Keep it going Melo!

West Rookie – D’Angelo Russell

Russell was an easy choice out West this week claiming more than half of the first place votes and having nearly double the votes of 2^nd place getter Kaun The Closer. The Clippers didn’t manage to get a win in week 2, so Russell’s play was a huge bright spot for the week with averages of 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal and 1.3 blocks, highlighted by a 36 point outburst against the Houston Rockets. Russell has already shown he has skills and great size at the point guard position and the future looks bright for the Clippers. He’ll have to work on his efficiency though as he averaged 5.3 turnovers and shot it 41% from the field, 30% from deep. He unfortunately amassed 8 turnovers in one game, facing off with Emmanual Mudiay’s Mavs. Fix that up DRuss and you’re well on your way to ROTW. Congrats!

East Rookie – Kristaps Porzingis

With only 3 nominees for the East Rookie, all the voting went exactly the same…100% 1^st Zinga, 100% 2^nd Hezonja and 100% 3^rd Wood. Unanimous! Don’t let the shallow field fool you though, Kristaps deserved this award pairing perfectly with Eric Gordon to help Charlotte to an unlikely 2-2 record in week 2. Even their own GM suggested they’d go 0-4! He compiled averages of 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block including three double doubles and two 20 point games. The big man is coming on strong and it’s hard not to get excited about a 7’3 big man who can shoot the 3, hits the boards hard, can play D and moves with purpose. The Zinger Burger looks legit already, here and in the sister league, and with the work ethic to match he’s going places. Big places.