Bucks’ Drew Gooden, Lakers’ Andrew Bynum named NBA Players of the Week
NEW YORK – The Milwaukee Bucks’ Drew Gooden and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, March 12, through Sunday, March 18.
Gooden, Milwaukee’s second consecutive Player of the Week winner (Ersan Ilyasova), led the Bucks to a 3-0 week behind averages of 18.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Gooden’s 15-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double keyed the Bucks’ 115-105 win against the Cavaliers on March 14. Winners of five straight, the Bucks trail the Knicks by one-half game for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Bynum led the Lakers to a 3-1 week, which included wins over the Grizzlies and Timberwolves. Bynum led the West in rebounding (14.8 rpg) and placed second in scoring (27.5) while shooting .665 from the field (fourth in the Conference). Bynum collected a point-rebound double-double in all four of the Lakers’ games, including a 37-point, 16-rebound in a 116-111 win over Memphis on March 13.
Here is a recap of the week for Gooden and Bynum:
Drew Gooden, Milwaukee Bucks
March 12 @ New Jersey: Posted 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 105-99 win over the Nets.
March 14 vs. Cleveland: Collected a triple-double with 15 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 115-105 win over the Cavaliers.
March 16 @ Golden State: Scored 16 points and added 11 rebounds and four assists in a 120-98 win over the Warriors.
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers
March 13 @ Memphis: Scored 37 points and added 16 rebounds in a 116-111 win over the Grizzlies.
March 14 @ New Orleans: Tallied 25 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a 107-101 win over the Hornets.
March 18 vs. Utah: Tallied 33 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks during a 103-99 loss to the Jazz.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Phoenix’s Jared Dudley, and San Antonio’s Tony Parker.