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LaMarcus Aldridge has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week.
After a debated fifth All-star selection -- in which pundits criticized the Spurs center's honor over former teammate Damian Lillard -- Aldridge seems to be acclimating to his role in the Spurs system, especially in the low-post, averaging 26 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks since Feb. 1.
SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 8, 2016) – The NBA today announced that San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Feb. 1, through Sunday, Feb. 7. Boston’s Isaiah Thomas was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
Aldridge averaged 26.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.50 blocks while shooting .597 (37-62) from the field and .909 from the foul line to help the Spurs go 4-0 for the week. The five-time All-Star started the week with 28 points (9-13 FG, 10-12 FT), 4 rebounds and a season-high 5 blocks in a 107-92 win over Orlando on Feb. 1. Aldridge followed that up with a season-high 36 points (12-20 FG, 12-12 FT) to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in a victory over fellow All-Star Anthony Davis and New Orleans on Feb. 3. The Dallas native notched his 15th double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes to help the Spurs beat the Mavericks on the road on Feb. 5. Aldridge closed out the week with 26 points (11-18 FG, 4-5 FT), 9 rebounds and 2 assists in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 6.
For the year, Aldridge is averaging a team-high 8.5 rebounds to go with 16.7 points, 1.4 assists and 1.02 blocks in 29.6 minutes while shooting .501 (319-637) from the field and .826 (147-178) from the free throw line. The Spurs are a perfect 16-0 this season when Aldridge leads the team in scoring.
This is Aldridge’s ninth time receiving the honor in his career and his first with the Spurs, becoming the 15th player to receive the award in San Antonio franchise history.
San Antonio currently has the second-best record in the NBA at 43-8, which is tied for the best start in franchise history through 51 games. The Spurs are a perfect 28-0 at home this season, the third-best home start in NBA history, and have extended their overall home winning streak to 37 games, which ranks fifth all-time.