Lebron James and the Eastern Conference

CLEVELAND, OH - February 9th, 2009 - Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was named today as the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, February 2nd through Sunday, February 9th.

In three games during the week, James averaged an Eastern Conference-best 33.7 points, 9.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. James has now won the award 18 times in his career: for the fifth time this season, three times in 2007-08, twice in 2006-07, five times in 2005-06 and on three occasions during the 2004-05 campaign.

James finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks on February 3rd at Quicken Loans Arena versus Toronto. He became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 12,000 points with his 30th point in the win over the Raptors.

At Madison Square Garden on February 4th, he posted 52 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and two blocks against the Knicks. The last player to have at least those numbers in a game was Wilt Chamberlain (53 points, 14 assists, 32 rebounds) on March 18th, 1968. James joined Michael Jordan as the only two visitors to Madison Square Garden to have multiple 50-point games. His 52-point game marked the sixth time in his career that he scored 50 or more points (Cavs are 4-2) and his second at New York (March 5th, 2008).

On February 8th, he recorded his 15th double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 assists and added eight rebounds versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

With two wins this week, James and the Cavaliers are off to their best start in franchise history at 39-10.

Nba.com

Lakers vs. cavaliers

Kobe Bryant versus LeBron James headlined this game instead of their respective teams, and let’s just say both superstars did not disappoint.

Despite James’ missed free throws late in the game, the Cavaliers pulled out a victory in the Staples Center 98-95.

LeBron James had 41 points and nine rebounds to Bryant’s had 33 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

In the second half, the Lakers attempted 30 free throws after only having seven in the entire first half.

James missed two crucial free throws with 1:50 remaining and the Lakers almost tip-toed their way to a win.

But James rebounded to score all seven of the Cavs remaining points including the game-winning jumper in which he shook off a Drew Gooden screen and buried the jumper, with Bryant defending, with 20 seconds left.

The Lakers made it interesting, though. Derek Fisher missed a three-pointer on the ensuing possession, but Ronnie Turiaf got the rebound and put in a layup off the glass—the layup gave the Cavs a one-point lead 96. Basically the Cavaliers won.