Utah Jazz: Deron Williams named Western Conference player of the week

The Utah Jazz are beginning to corner the market on the player of the week award.

A week after Carlos Boozer earned the honor, Deron Williams has been recognized by the NBA as the Western Conference player of the week for his stellar play that helped the Jazz beat the Lakers, Magic and Spurs in a brutal-but-successful six-day stretch.

It's the second time in Williams' five-year career that he's earned the award. He was the West's player of the week earlier this year in March.

The Jazz are the first team in the NBA this season to have two players honored with the weekly award. This is also the first time the franchise has had back-to-back players of the week since Karl Malone was honored in consecutive weeks in March of 1997, though Malone and John Stockton shared the award one week in 2000.

Williams' big week included especially big games — all double-doubles — in the three victories.

The star point guard had 21 points and 11 assists in Saturday's 102-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers; 17 points and 11 dishes in the 104-101 win Monday against San Antonio; and a huge 32-point, 15-assist, eight-rebound outing in the 120-111 win vs. the Magic.

For the week, Williams averaged 21.75 points and 11.25 assists as the Jazz went 3-1.

This is the 45th time a Jazz player has received player of the week recognition.

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