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The National Basketball Association today named Clippers’ center Chris Kaman as the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, January 4th through Sunday, January 10th. This is the second time Kaman has been named Western Conference Player of the Week this season, the first time for the week of November 2nd through November 8th.

Kaman led the Clippers to a 3-0 week by averaging a double-double (21.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg). He posted consecutive double-doubles in wins over the Los Angeles Lakers (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Miami Heat (22 points, 14 rebounds). Kaman scored 20 or more points in each game to earn his second Western Conference Player of the Week award in 2009-10 (Nov. 9).

In 35 games played this season, Kaman has tallied 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 36.8 minutes per game. Kaman is one of just four players in the NBA (Chris Bosh, Tim Duncan, Zach Randolph) to average over 20 points and 9 rebounds this season.

Cleveland's LeBron James received the award for the Eastern Conference.

A recap of Kaman’s week is as follows:

Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers

Jan. 4 vs. Portland: Netted 20 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists in a 105-95 win over the Trail Blazers.

Jan. 6 vs. Los Angeles: Tallied 21 points and 14 rebounds in addition to two assists and two steals in a 102-91 win over the Lakers.

Jan. 10 vs. Miami: Posted his second double-double of the week with 22 points and 14 rebounds in a 94-84 win over the Heat.

Clippers.com

Clippers' Kaman does his talking on the court

Kaman shot enough this summer to convince himself he could be effective from that range, and he brought that confidence into the season. By establishing his ability to make them, opponents now have to play tighter defense.

"If they come up on him, he can go around them." Dunleavy says. "If they leave him open, he can shoot it. That was what we always stressed to him."

It also means double teams, which lead to open looks for teammates when Kaman makes the proper read and delivers the right pass.

"And he's doing all of those things," Camby says.

The result is a much more versatile center, just as effective on the block as he is on pick and rolls, and better equipped to read and react to what the defense is doing.

And that's a marked difference from the player Camby observed when he played for the Denver Nuggets.

"The word on Chris was that he wasn't really developed," Camby remembers, "The word was he was a big guy who wasn't very mobile and couldn't shoot too well."

Now?

"In my opinion, he's the best center we have in the league," Camby says.

Just don't ask Kaman to talk about it.

"I appreciate Marcus for saying that and all," Kaman says. "But I don't even like thinking about that kind of stuff."

As long as Kaman keeps talking like he has been on the court, the Clippers won't mind a bit.

Vincent Bonsignore, LA Daily News

thanumba2clippersfan wrote:I got this texted to my phone yesterday. I hope our improved play and these weekly awards help Kaman get to the all star game.

Pandam00nium wrote:

thanumba2clippersfan wrote:I got this texted to my phone yesterday. I hope our improved play and these weekly awards help Kaman get to the all star game.

I don't even think he's on the Ballot. What a joke that is. :/

But congrats to him for getting his 2nd of the year.