NEW YORK -- The Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 9, through Sunday, Jan. 15.
Rose averaged 24.0 points and 9.3 assists while logging 38.8 minutes per contest as he helped the Bulls to a 5-0 week. Rose, who appeared in four of the Bulls’ five games, posted two point-assist double-doubles, including a 31-point, 11-assist effort in Chicago’s 111-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 10. The Bulls’ five-game winning streak has them at 12-2 (.857) and atop the NBA standings.
Bryant guided the Lakers to a 3-1 week, and led the league in scoring with a 43.0 average. Bryant tallied 40-plus points in each of the Lakers’ four games. The Lakers opened the week with a 99-83 win over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 10, fueled by Bryant’s 48 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Bryant’s 32.0-point scoring average is tops in the league.