Every Monday night, the NBA has gotten used to handing out prizes for the previous week’s best players. On January 9, LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell were honored by the Great League.
Prior to Monday, only five players in NBA history had been voted player of the week aged 38 or older: Michael Jordan (twice), Reggie Miller, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone and John Stockton. Now it’s six. LeBron has just been awarded by the league, ten days after blowing out his 38 candles. A title the King didn’t steal as James guided the Lakers to a perfect week – four wins in four games – despite a still absent Anthony Davis. His stats? 35 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists on 55% shooting in three games (LBJ did not play against Miami). LeBron was particularly successful against the Hornets (43 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists) and the Kings (37 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), so as to revive the good dynamics of the Lakers.
In the Eastern Conference, it was then Donovan Mitchell who won the day. How could it be otherwise after planting… 71 points off the Bulls lead last Monday ? Certainly Spida has cooled down since then (20 and 22 points, as well as a game missed for the rest), certainly a little tired after this feat, but he deserves to be rewarded only for his historic game. Cleveland also won three out of four games – the three in which Mitchell played – despite two absences of Darius Garland, which allow the Cavs to continue to believe in the eastern podium.
Among the nominees this week were Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr. and…Thomas Bryant in the West, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson – Julius Randle, Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton – Myles Turner and Zach LaVine to the east.
Text source: NBA
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell were named NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 12 of the 2022-23 season (January 2-8). pic.twitter.com/hZdStPkceZ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 9, 2023
