The NBA announced Monday that Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge is the Western Conference Player of the Week for Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.
Here's the release.
The Boston Celtics' Jordan Crawford and the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 8.
Crawford led the Celtics to the East's lone perfect mark on the week at 3-0, behind averages of 23.3 points (fourth in the conference) on .610 shooting from the field (sixth in the conference), 6.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Crawford connected on 12-of-23 three-point field goals on the week, including a career-high six makes from distance on Dec. 8, during a 114-73 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Aldridge led the Trail Blazers to a 3-1 week, including wins over the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He posted a point-rebound double-double in each of Portland's four games, and averaged 26.3 points (third in the conference), 12.8 rebounds (fifth in the conference), 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals. On Dec. 4, Aldridge collected 38 points, 13 rebounds and five assists during a 111-104 win over the Thunder.
Here is a recap of the week for Crawford and Aldridge:Jordan Crawford, Boston Celtics
Dec. 3 vs. Milwaukee: Tallied a season-high 25 points and added five assists and two rebounds in a 108-100 win over the Bucks.
Dec. 6 vs. Denver: Posted 22 points, eight assists and four rebounds during a 106-98 win over the Nuggets.
Dec. 8 @ New York: Connected on six three-point field goals en route to 23 points, and added seven assists and three rebounds in a 114-73 win over the Knicks.LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
Dec. 2 vs. Indiana: Posted 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists during a 106-102 win over the Pacers.
Dec. 4 vs. Oklahoma City: Tallied 38 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in a 111-104 win over the Thunder.
Dec. 6 vs. Utah: Scored 20 points and added 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals during a 130-98 win over the Jazz.Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Detroit's Andre Drummond and Brandon Jennings, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Indiana's Paul George and Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant.
This is the second time Aldridge has received Player of the Week honors this season and the fifth time he's done so during his career. He last won in November 2013. He joins Clyde Drexler (11 times) and Brandon Roy (5 times) as the only Blazers to win Player of the Week honors at least five times.
Aldridge's teammates had plenty of praise for him following big home wins against the Indiana Pacers (here) and Oklahoma City Thunder (here).
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter