NEW YORK - Indiana Pacers center Jermaine O’Neal today was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 23. Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton earned the Western Conference Player of the week nod.
O’Neal, recently named to the USA Basketball World Championships team, led the Pacers to a 3-1 record by averaging 28.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.75 steals, and shooting 44-70 (.629) from the field. Payton led the Sonics to a perfect 3-0 record, posting averages of 22.3 points, 10.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Here is a look at the week for O’Neal and Payton:
Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana
Recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in the Pacers’103-100 victory over the Hawks.