Rondo/Gasol Named Players of the Week:

Today, the league named Boston Celtics guard, Rajon Rondo, and Los Angeles Lakers center, Pau Gasol, Eastern and Western Conference players of the week, respectively, for their play Tuesday, Oct 26, through Sunday, Oct 31.

Two players on contending teams who have really gotten off to nice starts this season. The Lakers have started off 3-0, with Gasol averaging 25.3 ppg, on .525 shooting from the field, 10.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest.

The big man from Spain, who is sometimes criticized for being soft, has been in true form through these first 3 games. He started hot at home, where the Rockets had no answer for the Spaniard, as he poured in 29 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Houston really couldn't come up with an answer for the 7-footer, and ultimately lost the game. He continued his great play with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, in Phoenix, to help nix Steve Nash and the struggling Suns. His finished the week of play with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, to trump the Warriors, 107-83, at home.

Gasol is really starting to put his name on this basketball team, and Kobe doesn't really seem to mind the help. I actually have to give the "Black Mamba" a ton of credit on this one. We may be seeing the first time that Kobe has actually opened up the door and truly welcomed in another superstar player. This really shows Kobe's maturity and will to win. Gasol will help this team win more rings, and is more than capable to carry his share of the load. Pau does look to lack toughness at times, but, he seems to really have that look in his eyes, so far, and i think you have to believe that LA is the team to beat.

On the other end of this award, we have the scrappy Rajon Rondo, a Kentucky product, the 4 year pro has really started to become the face of the Boston Celtics and looks like he'll be a nice replacement when Paul Pierce retires, and with good reason. He is an absolute athletic nightmare for opposing teams. Although, he still lacks a reliable jumper and isn't a threat from deep, his defensive genius and crafty ball-handling make him a constant headache for coaches and opposing players, alike. Let's face it, trying to emerge from behind the shadows of Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett is no easy task. You're talking three possible HOFer's who still have a little hop in their step, but, it's becoming more and more clear that the Celtics are, infact, Rondo's team. Rondo's week started with a great win at home against Dwyane Wade and the "new look" Miami Heat, Rondo scored just 4 points but had 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a whopping, 17 assists. He went on to have 18 points, 9 assists and 3 steals as Boston fell to the Lebron-less Cavs, in Cleveland. Two nights later the Celtic's bounced back, defeating the Knicks, 105-101, in Boston, Rondo had 10 points, 7 rebounds and a career high, 24 assists. I believe that Boston will be a top 3 playoff seed, in the East and have a strong chance of making another finals appearance, behind the play of their all star guard.