Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Dec. 24-30. James Harden won the award for the Western Conference. 

While leading the Bucks to a 3-0 record last week, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 3.0 blocks and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 62.1 percent from the field. 

Harden averaged 42.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.67 steals and 1.33 blocks.

When asked about last year's Rookie of the Year race against Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons responded that “it wasn’t a [expletive] race".

“You saw the votes, right?…Did you see the votes? So what’s the question?” 

Simmons was responding to a controversy that last year was technically his second season in the league and thus shouldn't have been eligible for the award. He sat out the entirety of what would have been his rookie season with a foot injury.

Simmons received 90 out of 101 first-place votes in the race. He was booed throughout the game. 

“How do I feel about it? I don’t give a [expletive]. Honestly, I don’t. I’m not worried about outside noise, I’m not worried about anything in terms of fans, media, you guys asking these question. [I don’t care what anyone says] besides my teammates and my coaches, everyone in this locker room," said Simmons. 

LeBron James was awarded the The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2018 for his contributions on and off the court. It was third time he's won the award.

Including averaging 28.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.4 assists over the past year, James also opened his "I Promise" school for at-risk students in Akron, Ohio.

"In addition to being on everyone's short list as one of the league's all-time greatest players, LeBron is among the hardest working players and is a thoughtful and impactful leader. He serves on the executive committee of the Players Association even as he builds an impressive media company of his own. And what's most inspiring, and no surprise given his talent and focus, is how he's done all of this while embracing his unique opportunity to positively impact communities in need," said Adam Silver.

James beat out Mookie Betts, Alex Ovechkin, and Patrick Mahomes for the award. 

Thaddeus Young and James Harden have been named the NBA's Players of the Week.

Young averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as the Pacers went 4-0.

Harden averaged 37.0 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game as the Rockets went 3-0.

The Golden State Warriors were named Sport Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year for 2018.

They are the fourth team to receive the SI award, alongside the 1980 U.S. hockey team, the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup squad, and the 2004 Boston Red Sox.

"There is something transcendent about the team where the sum of their parts was apparent from the beginning," said SI editor-in-chief Chris Stone. "What they have built into a dynasty is a function of empirical success. They're really a generational team. I don't know if, in my lifetime, there has been a team where the pieces have blended so beautifully together."

Bradley Beal and Stephen Curry have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 8.

Beal averaged 30.0 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game as the Wizards went 2-1.

Curry averaged 30.7 points and 5.7 assists per game as the Warriors went 3-0.

Draymond Green will return from his toe injury on Monday against the Wolves.

Despite missing several weeks, Green isn't giving up on the possibility of winning Defensive Player of the Year. Winning that award would make Green eligible for a supermax extension this offseason.

“I just got to come back and lock the league up,” said Green. “Which I’m more than capable of doing.”

“He’s the best defensive player in the league,” said Steve Kerr. “I think our defensive efforts have reflected that in terms of not being as efficient. Not being able to cover as much ground.”

Four seasons ago, Kawhi Leonard beat Green for the award despite playing in just 64 games.

“It’s still on my mind and I’ma get it done.”

LeBron James has scored the most points through his first 25 games with the team than any player in Los Angeles Lakers history.

His 717 points surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 714 points from the 1975-76 season and Shaquille O'Neal's 642 points during his first 25 games as a Laker in 1996.

James is averaging 28.7 points this season, his highest scoring average since 2009.

Doc Rivers and Nick Nurse have been named the NBA's Coaches of the Month for October and November.

Rivers led the Clippers to a Western Conference-best 15-6 record over the first two months of the season, tied for the NBA’s second-best record in that span.

Nurse led Toronto to an NBA-best 19-4 record, including a franchise-record six straight victories to start the season (Oct. 17-26). 

Tobias Harris has been named Western Conference Player of the Month for October and November. This is Harris’ first career Player of the Month honor. He was previously named Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 6 (games played Monday, November 19, through Sunday, November 25).

Giannis Antetokounmpo was the Eastern Conference winner.

Harris helped lead the Clippers to a Western Conference-best 15-6 record over the first two months of the season, behind averages of 21.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in addition to shooting splits of 52.8 percent from the field, 44.0 percent from three-point range and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line.