Dwight Howard crowned Eastern Conference Player of the Week
The face of the Orlando Magic and one of the most prolific post scorers and rebounders ever in the NBA, Dwight Howard has simply been phenomenal this season.
On Monday, the charismatic centre added yet another feather to his cap as the NBA named him the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played during February 7-13.
The 6ft-11in centre, who has recorded at least 1,000 rebounds and 100 blocked shots in each of the last five seasons has been simply unstoppable this time around. Having lit the NBA courts with an awe-inspiring average of 22.6 points and a league second
best 13.9 rebounds, Howard leads his team in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals.
During the week under the spotlight, Howard marshalled his team to a 3-1 outcome, posting a point-rebound double-double every time he set foot on the court. Howard has 14 consecutive double-doubles and an Eastern Conference best 44 for the season.
Howard paced the league with 16.8 rebounds per game in the week under the spotlight and also topped the Eastern Conference with a sizzling field goal percentage of 66.7. The burly centre started the week with a 22 point and 20 rebound performance, as the
Magic thrashed the Los Angeles Clippers 101-85. The game also ended well for Howard on a personal note as he recorded his fifth 20-point, 20-rebound effort of the season.
On the very next night, Howard struck against the Philadelphia 76ers with 30 points and 17 rebounds, propelling the Magic to a 99-95 win in a close encounter. Two nights later, the ‘Daily Double’ who has been voted as an All-Star starter for the fourth straight
time this season, paced his team with 20 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks against the New Orleans Hornets. The tenacious Hornets however, fought off the big night from the mighty Howard, and rattled an 11-2 run down the stretch to run away with the game.
Howard however, saved his best for the last match against the two-time defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Pitched against Kobe Bryant in the battle of the titans, the Orlando spearhead produced a brilliant display. He played superbly in defence
with 13 rebounds across the board, three blocks and intelligent switches on some probing pick-and-rolls. Howard also scorched the Lakers’ with a 31-point blitz.
This award marks the fourth time this season that the intimidating ring slammer has won the laurel and takes his all-time weekly honour tally to 15. Howard stood head and shoulders above the list of other nominees including Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, Chicago's
Derrick Rose and Indiana’s Danny Granger.
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