Josh Smith is Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Geez -- with all this recognition, a Hawks fan might lose their "Nobody Loves Us" meme awfully quick.

Key notes about this recognition for Smoove, who as we noted has had a tremendous last six games in our What We Learned piece this morning, is that Horford was up for this award also this week, along with Rajon Rondo (Boston), Joakim Noah (Chicago), Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton (New York), and Glen Davis (Orlando). Also, it's the second time in his career that Smith has won the honor.

Here is the full release from the team:

ATLANTA, GA ----- Josh Smith today was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 9. It's the second such honor of his career, having also earned the Player of the Week nod five years ago today (12/10/07).

Smith averaged 21.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.9 minutes (.481 FG%, .429 3FG%, .625 FT%), as Atlanta went a perfect 3-0 for the week. The Hawks posted home wins over Denver (108-104) and Washington (104-95), adding a road victory in Memphis (93-83) against the team with the NBA's best winning percentage at the time.

Smith put up a game-high 24 points in the Memphis win, adding eight rebounds and four assists. He pulled down a season-best 15 rebounds to go along with 23 points, four assists and two steals against Washington. He began the week with a 16-point, 13-rebound performance against Denver, including the game-clinching steal and dunk with less than a minute remaining.

At 12-5 overall, the Hawks have won nine-of-the-last-10 and own the best road record in the East (5-2).

In 16 starts this season, the ninth-year veteran has averaged a team-high 17.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 steals in 35.1 minutes (.451 FG%, .381 3FG%, .516 FT%). He ranks eighth in the NBA in blocks per game, 22^nd in rebounds per game, tied for 22^nd in double-doubles, tied for 24^th in steals per game and 30^th in points per game.

On Saturday vs. Memphis, Smith surpassed Dominique Wilkins to move into third place on the Hawks' all-time defensive rebounding list (3,590). He is the only player in league history with career averages of at least 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.

Teammate Al Horford received the honor two weeks ago (11/26/12).