Chapter 78: Player of the Week Announced
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After days of anticipation, the NBA officially announced the winners of last week's Player of the Week honors.
In the Western Conference, Rashard Lewis of the Seattle Supersonics claimed the award. Over two games, Lewis led the Supersonics to a 2-0 record, averaging an impressive 37.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Other Western Conference nominees included Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal, but their teams' subpar performances left little room for contention. As such, Rashard Lewis was the clear choice, earning the first Western Conference Player of the Week honor for the 2003-2004 season.
### A Tight Race in the East
The Eastern Conference saw much fiercer competition. Baron Davis of the New Orleans Hornets had led his team to a perfect 3-0 record, posting averages of 24.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 5 rebounds on 54% three-point shooting. Allen Iverson, on the other hand, delivered electrifying performances, averaging 33 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in a 2-1 week for the 76ers.
However, it was Knicks rookie Wang Song who captured the spotlight. Leading last season's bottom-ranked Knicks to a 3-0 start, Wang's all-around stats—20 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks per game—secured him the honor. His standout performance in the third game of the week tipped the scales in his favor.
The announcement made Wang the youngest Eastern Conference Player of the Week in NBA history. Winning the award in his rookie season caused waves across the league, forcing many big names to take notice of the Knicks' rising star.
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### **New Orleans**
At the Hornets' practice facility, Baron Davis was stunned upon hearing the news that he had been passed over.
After the Hornets' third consecutive win, both he and his teammates were confident the award was his. Davis had even treated his team to a celebratory barbecue the night before.
"Really? A rookie?" Davis muttered to himself, disbelief written across his face.
"Don't let it bother you, Baron," center Jamaal Magloire chimed in. "The league probably gave it to him because he's a Chinese rookie. It's just a publicity stunt to excite fans."
Magloire's attempt to downplay the situation failed to ease Davis's frustration.
"Jamaal, when's our game against the Knicks?" Davis asked abruptly.
Magloire counted on his fingers before answering, "Next week."
The look in Davis's eyes shifted to one of burning determination.
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### **Los Angeles**
At the Staples Center, Kobe Bryant was working on his shooting, with Shaquille O'Neal casually rebounding for him.
"Shaq, did you see the Player of the Week results?" Kobe asked, breaking the silence.
Shaq scratched his head, the ball dwarfed in his massive hand. "Yeah, that Rashard Lewis guy took my award. Don't worry, though. Next time we face him, I'll show him what dominance looks like!"
Kobe smirked. "I'm not talking about Lewis. I'm talking about that rookie in the East… Wang Song."
Hearing the name, Shaq finally perked up. He didn't usually pay attention to rookies, but Wang's name had been circulating frequently.
After a moment of contemplation, Shaq shrugged. "Yeah, I heard of him. He's decent, but let's be real—he's in the East. There's barely any competition over there."
Kobe raised an eyebrow. "He had eight blocks in one game."
Shaq laughed dismissively. "Eight blocks? Please. I've had more than I can count. My career-high is fifteen. What's he got on me?"
Kobe chose not to respond, but the comparison of the rookie to Shaq was a compliment in itself. The thought of facing Wang Song and the Knicks now piqued his interest.
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### **Back in China**
The news of Wang Song's accolade quickly spread to his home country, igniting a wave of fan enthusiasm. Already a household name from his NCAA days, Wang's Player of the Week honor elevated him to new heights in China.
Social media buzzed with excitement:
- "This is what domination looks like—Eastern Conference's best center, hands down!"
- "In ancient times, we had the Qin King sweeping across the six states. Today, we have Wang Song ruling the East!"
- "Wait… What about Yao Ming? Have we forgotten about him?"
- "Fun fact: Yao hasn't won Player of the Week yet!"
- "To be fair, Wang's shot-blocking and defensive presence are insane. It's a good thing he and Yao aren't in the same conference. Otherwise, Yao might never get a shot at this award!"
Wang's incredible defensive numbers and overall impact on the Knicks' early success had fans and analysts alike singing his praises. Many noted that his contributions went beyond traditional stats, citing advanced metrics like screen assists and off-ball movement as critical factors.
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### **Next Game: Knicks vs. Bulls**
Amidst the buzz, the Knicks prepared for their next game at Madison Square Garden, where they would face the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls, still reeling in the post-Jordan era, were led by Jamal Crawford but remained a bottom-tier team. Their lackluster offense and defense mirrored the Knicks of the previous season.
Interestingly, the Bulls had beaten the Knicks twice at Madison Square Garden during the 2002 season. This historical dominance gave the Bulls a psychological edge as they entered the arena, hoping to continue their undefeated streak on the Knicks' home court.
(End of Chapter)