New York went from low-key contender to best-case-scenario pretender.
The Knicks have won four of their last five games—or three of their last four, if you’re picky—but that doesn’t seem to be enough to convince folks that New York is as strong as an ox.
Yes, the dubs came against the depleted Mavs and Sixers, a hurt Bucks squad, and the Trail Blazers, but a win is a win, and the loss came against a reasonably good LA Clippers team. No luck, fam.
Here’s a roundup of all the power rankings posted at different outlets through Tuesday’s matchups, capturing the national perception of the Knicks among the basketball elite.
Note: I have included a +/- next to each rank, with a minus sign (-) meaning dropping down and a plus sign (+) meaning climbing up X spots compared to last week’s position on that outlet.
NBA — No. 10 — New York Knicks (—)
John Schuhmann of NBA.com left the Knicks right where he placed them a week ago, sitting on the verge of the top 10 from the inside looking out.
Schuhmann didn’t consider Tuesday’s win, so for him, New York went 3-1 during the last week, beating the Mavs, Bucks, and Blazers but losing its toughest game against the Clips.
“Overall, the Knicks offense has been worse over Jalen Brunson’s 12-game absence (114.6 points scored per 100 possessions) than it was through their first 62 games (118.2 per 100). But their four games last week (121.6 per 100) were their best stretch on that end of the floor since the All-Star break. And two of those games came against teams – the Clippers and Bucks – that rank in the top 11 defensively.
“The Knicks have averaged 332 passes per 24 minutes of possession and recorded assists on 68.2% of their field goals (seventh in the league) over Brunson’s 12-game absence, up from 303 per 24 and 62.2% (20th) through their first 62 games.
“OG Anunoby appears to like the new offense, averaging 28.3 points on 56/41/97 shooting splits over the last six games, with 74% of his field goals having been assisted. That shooting includes 10-for-15 on corner 3-pointers, with Anunoby now fourth in total corner 3s for the season, trailing league-leader Mikal Bridges by 14.” — John Schuhmann
Although there was movement around the Knicks, the truth is that New York seems to be setting the line between pretenders and contenders as nobody jumped inside/outside the top 10 with the Knickerbockers setting the bar.
The Athletic — No. 11 — New York Knicks (-3)
Law Murray of The Athletic decided to simply remove the Knicks from all sorts of contending pictures. Yes, you read that right.
Murray dropped New York outside of the top-10 across the NBA, and it doesn’t look like the Knicks will be able to do anything to convince the man to bring them back inside of it.
Anyway, this week’s topic was hella random, with Murray describing each franchise as if they were an app—wut? Here’s your Knicks’ blurb.
“This was a solid week for the Knicks, and they’re 7-5 since Jalen Brunson injured his ankle. But March is over, and Brunson still isn’t back. Of the eight games left for the Knicks, three of them are against the Cavaliers and Celtics.
“There is time for the Knicks to get confidence-boosting statement wins, and perhaps get Brunson back at some point, too.” — Law Murray
The Clippers went from 13th to 9th, the Wolves moved up from 14th to 8th, and New York being 11th means the Knicks are the second-to-last team still in “Tier 2: In a Good Place.”
ESPN — No. 11 — New York Knicks (–5)
The ESPN panel moved the Knicks down five spots and outside of the top 10, pretty much mimicking The Athletic’s move only doubling the damage done to New York as the ranking decrease was extraordinary.
It’s a lazy week for your favorite sports broadcaster’s writers, as there’s no particular nor fancy topic written about in this iteration of the power rankings other than outlining what’s ahead for each team.
“The biggest thing the Knicks are focused on over these final two weeks is star guard Jalen Brunson’s health as he recovers from an ankle sprain acquired last month.
“The team is also hoping backups Deuce McBride and Cam Payne can return soon after missing some time, and for Mitchell Robinson to get back into form after his prolonged absence.
“But Brunson getting back in time for a handful of regular-season games to feel comfortable heading into the postseason—something he says he’s hoping to do—would be ideal.” — Chris Herring
Displacing the Knicks are the Pacers (from 11th to 8th), the Warriors (from 9th to 7th), the LA Lakers (from 7th to 6th), the Grizzlies (moving down to 9th), and the Wolves (staying put in 10th).
What are your thoughts on the ranks above? Where do you have the Knicks ranked after they split their first six games of the season? Drop your hot takes in the comments section below!