Blake Griffin and Lebron James named NBA players of the week

Nov 13, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Thunder 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Every week, the NBA names their “players of the week” with one outstanding player from each of the two conferences. This week, the guys who garnered that honor were the epitome of “household names”.

Blake Griffin named Western Conference Player of the Week.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 18, 2013

First, Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers grabbed the Western Conference honor, on the strength of an outstanding statistical week. The high-flying power forward averaged 25.7 points (on 56% shooting), 11.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game last week, and in the process, helped to lead (along with Chris Paul) the Clippers to a sparkling 3-0 record. It is certainly worth noting that all 3 of LA’s victories came at home, but the opponents were high-caliber (Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Brooklyn), and Griffin is playing some of his best basketball right now.

In the East, the choice was simple.

The best player on the planet (who happens to be sitting at #1 in our MVP “power rankings” this week) scored 30+ points in each of Miami’s 3 games this week, and he is on another planet right now. “The King” shot over 70% (yes, seventy percent) on the week in averaging 34 points per game, and while it wasn’t his typical across-the-board production (4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists per game), he was outstanding.

Something tells me that we’ll be seeing both Lebron and Blake as repeat winners of this award this season, and this is just the beginning.