Bryant, Johnson earn NBA weekly honors
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-12-20 09:47

NEW YORK (AFP) - Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who averaged 33.8 points in leading his team to a 3-1 record, was named the National Basketball Association's Western Conference player of the week.

Bryant, who also averaged 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals, recorded his fourth and fifth 40-point performances of the season.

It was the second player of the week award this season for Bryant, who also earned it in the first week.

Eastern Conference honors went to Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, who averaged 25.3 points - including a career-high 36 in a 122-111 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday - 7.0 assists and 6.3 rebounds.

Johnson helped Atlanta go 3-1 - its first winning week since the 2003-04 season.