Cavs News: LeBron James Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

The NBA announced today that Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Dec. 5 through Dec. 11.

This is the third time James has won the award during the 2016-2017 NBA season, expanding his total to an NBA-record 56 Player of the Week awards.

James, 31, was spectacular this past week. The veteran led the Cavs to the best record in the East at 4-0 by averaging 32.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.25 steals in 38.5 minutes. Among Eastern Conference leaders, James ranked first in points per game (32.5), first in total points (130), first in field goals made (48), second in assists per game (8.0) and tied for fourth in steals per game (2.25).

The four-time MVP began the week with 34 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals in the Cavs’ 116-112 road victory against the Toronto Raptors. Two days later, under the brightest lights in the league, James put up 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a 32-point blowout win in New York City.

Against his former team, the Miami Heat, James passed Elvin Hayes (27,313) for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals in another 114-84 blowout win.

Saving his best for last, the All-Star lit up the Charlotte Hornets the next day with a season-high 44 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists  and three steals on 17-of-24 (70 percent) shooting from the field, including 5-of-10 shooting from downtown. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, James became the first NBA player to have at least 44 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and a .700 field-goal percentage since the great Wilt Chamberlain did it back in 1968 (53/32/14/.828).

James also reached his 7,000th career assist against the Hornets, becoming the first player in league history to record 27,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 7,000 assists.