Every Sunday, the CC staff will get together to present our plays and players of the week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kobe Bryant
4 Games (4-0)
30.3 ppg
5.0 rpg
5.0 apg
Kyle Boenitz: The Lakers had a grueling week but Kobe Bryant made sure they came out without a loss. L.A. had a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday with both games going into overtime. Bryant played 49 and 52 minutes in wins on the road against New Orleans and Memphis respectively. Kobe’s point totals for the week were 28, 33, 34 and 26 all in wins of 6 points or less. It seems like he’s willing the Lakers to win at this point.
John Karalis: Kobe is inhuman. I’m not sure what that German doctor did to his knee, but I’m taking up a collection and getting it done too. How a guy with this many miles on his legs continues to do the things he’s doing just amazes me.
Also receiving votes:
Andrew Bynum: 4 games (4-0). 24.3 ppg, 15.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.3 bpg
Trevor Zickgraf: Sure Kobe’s had a good week, but it was Bynum who the Lakers drew a play up in the final minutes of several games last week. He’s been asking for the ball more & more, and has been converting when he gets the opportunity. His most impressive stat line was going 15-18 from the field for 37 points & 15 boards against Marc Gasol in the Lakers’ win over Memphis.
Josh Smith: 4 games (2-2). 25.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.3 bpg
Philip Rossman-Reich: Smith has been on a tear since his snub from the All-Star Game. This past week, Smith put up 25.5 points per game in four games this week. His highlight performance this week came when he scored 33 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out seven assists. I guess we won’t like Smith when he is angry and focused like this.
PLAY OF THE WEEK
We’ve got a 3-way tie.. though Danilo Gallinari has two of them
First… Danilo nails the clutch, off-balance three
John: Hitting an NBA three is very hard to do. Ray Allen, the man who has hit more 3’s than anyone in NBA history, hits them at a 40% clip. Now try it running full speed into the corner, with people in your face, and the clock running out. I’ve watched this play a dozen times now and I still don’t know how guys can hit shots like this.
Second: Gallinari with the ridiculous pass to Kenneth Faried
Phil: Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back from the game-winning shots and the crazy dunks and just take time to admire a beautiful pass. This is one of the best passes I’ve ever seen. Danilo Gallinari has to tip-toe the baseline, collect himself, then he fires a bullet behind the back pass to Kenneth Faried for the layup. Luckily Faried was paying attention or that could have knocked a couple of his teeth out. Great play from Gallinari.
And Kawhi Leonard takes on the best shot blocker in the league… and wins.
Trevor: My play of the week is a bit of a homer pick, but I’ve got Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard soaring to dunk on Serge Ibocka. It takes some serious balls for a rookie to go up against NBA’s leader in blocks like that.
