This is the first edition of our weekly power rankings here at NY Knicks Central. These rankings are based on a mathematical formula that takes into account certain numbers and stats such as offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, W-L record, and strength of schedule. To see an explanation of how the ratings are calculated go here.
Here are some things to note in this week’s edition:
- Yes that is the Cleveland Cavaliers at the top ahead of Boston and LA. Cleveland deserves the credit for simply blowing the competition out of the water. They have blown out the bad teams they were supposed to and their efficiency ratings are so good that they project an expected winning percentage of .909. That’s a 74-8 projected record. No they won’t do it but that’s how good they have been. A 25-2 stretch will do that for you.
- One team that needs to be in the discussion of the elite is the Orlando Magic as the numbers indicate. This team is quietly 24-6 and everyone knows they can score with the shooting of Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. Having Dwight Howard to clean up and mistakes in the lane sure helps a lot also.
- After the slow start the Spurs have climbed back to being a legit title contender as they slide in at #5. Age and depth is still a concern but at least the defense is back to where it should be. Roger Mason is a good fit there.
- My one sleeper team going forward is Milwaukee. Scott Skiles has gotten this team to play really good defense as their defensive efficency is alost identical to that of the Spurs. They can’t win a title without a legit go to scorer but they’ll be in the mix come playoff time.
- One team that should get hot soon is Portland. Based on their efficiency ratings they are a low-50 win team and they have played a rather tough schedule. This young club will be on the rise again soon.
- Enough already. Here are the rankings in their entirety.
| Rank | Team | Off Eff | Def Eff | Exp Win % | Win % | Win % L10 | SOS | NYKC Power Rating |
| 1 |  |
110.5 | 96.1 | .909 | .867 | .900 | .472 | 85.1797 |
| 2 |  |
107.6 | 95.3 | .881 | .875 | .800 | .485 | 83.1553 |
| 3 |  |
109.7 | 99.9 | .824 | .833 | .800 | .489 | 79.0927 |
| 4 |  |
106.4 | 97.0 | .821 | .800 | .900 | .439 | 78.4622 |
| 5 |  |
105.4 | 101.2 | .662 | .667 | .800 | .466 | 65.7458 |
| 6 |  |
106.8 | 102.7 | .656 | .655 | .700 | .496 | 64.4195 |
| 7 |  |
105.7 | 101.4 | .665 | .645 | .600 | .518 | 63.7806 |
| 8 |  |
105.7 | 102.3 | .632 | .667 | .700 | .515 | 63.7345 |
| 9 |  |
111.0 | 105.9 | .685 | .613 | .500 | .518 | 62.8088 |
| 10 |  |
104.6 | 101.3 | .629 | .645 | .700 | .496 | 62.7767 |
| 11 |  |
104.9 | 101.7 | .625 | .600 | .700 | .491 | 61.1641 |
| 12 |  |
104.8 | 101.6 | .625 | .563 | .500 | .476 | 57.8949 |
| 13 |  |
108.4 | 106.6 | .569 | .571 | .500 | .540 | 55.9746 |
| 14 |  |
104.1 | 103.4 | .528 | .607 | .600 | .459 | 55.1944 |
| 15 |  |
103.4 | 102.4 | .540 | .552 | .600 | .451 | 54.0618 |
| 16 |  |
100.5 | 101.5 | .459 | .452 | .500 | .522 | 46.7308 |
| 17 |  |
106.6 | 108.9 | .413 | .500 | .400 | .453 | 44.1722 |
| 18 |  |
102.2 | 105.3 | .379 | .433 | .400 | .550 | 41.4588 |
| 19 |  |
98.9 | 101.9 | .379 | .414 | .400 | .492 | 40.2924 |
| 20 |  |
102.7 | 105.9 | .376 | .400 | .400 | .542 | 40.2234 |
| 21 |  |
102.7 | 104.9 | .413 | .333 | .300 | .557 | 39.2425 |
| 22 |  |
100.1 | 103.1 | .381 | .355 | .400 | .508 | 38.7524 |
| 23 |  |
101.7 | 106.3 | .325 | .333 | .500 | .481 | 36.0705 |
| 24 |  |
103.3 | 107.8 | .331 | .379 | .300 | .508 | 36.0104 |
| 25 |  |
96.7 | 103.2 | .255 | .276 | .500 | .499 | 31.0036 |
| 26 |  |
103.0 | 109.8 | .258 | .281 | .200 | .517 | 28.5221 |
| 27 |  |
101.4 | 109.1 | .230 | .179 | .200 | .532 | 24.1829 |
| 28 |  |
99.4 | 110.3 | .152 | .226 | .200 | .533 | 21.7180 |
| 29 |  |
98.9 | 108.4 | .180 | .172 | .100 | .510 | 20.2945 |
| 30 |  |
96.1 | 106.9 | .147 | .097 | .100 | .499 | 16.2495 |
