NYKC Power Rankings: 12/29/08

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

Coast to Coast: 9/26/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• AP is reporting that the Kings have agrred to a multiyear deal with Francisco Garcia.  He was eligible to become a free agent at the end of this season.  Good move by Sacramento as Garcia is a good two way player that they desperately need.
• AP is reporting that no punishment has been decided for point guard Monta Ellis.  It turned out his injury occurred in a moped accident after signing a 6-year, $66 million deal in the offseason.  This is a tough situation for an organization.  You don’t want to create any friction between the organization and your centerpieces of the franchise.  However, something needs to be done to assure that Ellis has learned his lesson.
• AP is reporting that the Rockets have matches the Bobcats’ offer sheet for restricted free agent Carl Landry.  It is an offer sheet of 3 years and $9 million.  This is an absolute must for Houston.  I thought Landry and Luis Scola really played hard and gave them great energy down low.  You also cannot afford to lose his size with the injury concern of Yao Ming.
• AP is reporting that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is not pleased with all the talk of LeBron eventually leaving Cleveland in free agency.  ”It’s kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland in my opinion — an insult to the Midwest,” said Gilbert.  It is also a bit of an insult to continue to be unable to give James a good supporting cast in Cleveland.  Playing with Larry Hughes will make a lot of people want to leave places.
• AP is reporting that after signing free agent Elton Brand, the 76ers and the city of Philadelphia are expecting some big things.  So am I.  The 76ers are my sleeper team to contend for an Eastern Conference title.
• AP is reporting that Sun Yue, the newest Laker, has mononucleosis and will miss the beginning of training camp.  The real problem for Yue will be finding playing time in the crowded backcourt for LA.
• AP is reporting that guard Chucky Atkins of the Denver Nuggets will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee.
• The Rocky Mountain News speculates on the future of Allen Iverson.  AI is in the final year of his contract worth just over $20 million.  They seem to believe he is a strong candidate to be dealt before the regular season trading deadline.  I agree since it is doubtful the Nuggets will contend this year or be willing to give Iverson a long term deal.
• Newsday is reporting that our New York Knicks are trying to convince fatso Jerome James to retire.  Worst free agent signing in NBA history.  Period.

Coast to Coast: 9/22/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• There are some professional athletes that get it and there are some that don’t get it.  Dwayne Wade gets it.  LeBron James gets it.  So does Chris Paul.  You can tell how smart and bright these guys are by the way that they carry themselves.  However, Josh Howard is one of those that just doesn’t get it.  A moron said something really stupid.  Let’s just move on.  Realgm.com explains the situation in detail including labeling him as the problem child.
• Meanwhile the AP is reporting that Mark Cuban has said on his blog that Howard realizes his comments were wrong and that he apologized.
• We have talked about the Zach Randolph situation plenty but one possible destination floating around for him to land is Golden State.  The 3 years and $48 million left on his deal is a huge roadblock though to any potential trade.  The San Francisco Examiner is reporting that for the Warriors to acquire Zach, they would likely have the unload another bad contract in the deal such as Stephen Jackson or Al Harrington.  Unlike Randolph, Jackson and Harrington only have 2 years left on their deals.  Also Harrington can opt out after this season but he is set to make a whopping $10 million this year regardless.  It just makes it hard to imagine a trade between the two teams.  I don’t think the Warriors would trade one of their bad contracts for an even worse contract that lasts for one extra year.
• The Orange County Register is reporting that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak has made the most obvious statement of the day: that the Lakers gave up less to get Pau Gasol than the Grizzlies originally wanted.  Thanks for that hard hitting analysis Mitch.  You fleeced them, I understand that.
• Slow news day in basketball so that is it for today.  I do want to say congratulations to the US Ryder Cup team who played wonderfully all weekend long in their upset over Europe.  Hunter Mahan, Boo Weekley, and J.B. Holmes were all huge for the home team.  Golf fans need to get to know these names soon.

Coast to Coast: 8/28/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• The big story of the day has to do with the devastating injury to Warriors PG Monta Ellis.  The AP is reporting that Ellis will be out 3 months after severely spraining his ankle in an offseason workout.  Last year Ellis averaged 20 points, 5 boards, and 3 dimes per game.  In the offseason he was given a 6-year, $66 million extension while Baron Davis signed on with the Clippers.  Monta Ellis was going to be the guy this year for the first time and now he will miss at least the first month of the regular season.  The Warriors do have Marcus Williams to step in but he isn’t ready to play at the level that Ellis does.  This officially crushes any hopes Golden State had at competing in the difficult Western Conference this year.  I did think that this year was going to be when Ellis was finally recognized as a star in this league.  Tough break for him and the organization.
• The AP is reporting that the Oklahoma City franchise will announce its team name and colors on September 3rd.  Apparently the franchise has applied for the trademarks to six names: Thunder, Energy, Marshalls, Wind, Barons, and Bison.  I hear that the Thunder is most likely to be the one that is announced.  That’s fine as long as they don’t end up as the Oklahoma City Wind.  I don’t think you would see much jersey popping by the players if it read WIND on the front.
• The Orange County Register is speculating that the Lakers should consider signing free agent Shaun Livingston.  Livingston is currently rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee.  Livingston is talented and just 22 so I think some team should take a chance on him.  But not the Lakers with Fisher, Farmer, Sun Yue on board.  Doesn’t make much sense for them.
• Meanwhile the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Warriors are looking at Livingston.  Chris Mullin is traveling to Chicago today to see him work out.  This makes much more sense to me.  Why not give him a chance when all you’ve got is Marcus Williams and C.J. Watson.
• According to ESPN, Mike Krzyzewski said that he will continue to be involved with Team USA by helping with the model that Jerry Colangelo introduced.  When asked if he would coach the team again he said, “I’ll help in some capacity in consulting, in whatever they need to do.”  Despite the superior talent, Coach K deserves more credit for the job he did in stressing defense and teamwork to the Redeem Team.
• The Boston Globe is reporting that an autopsy revealed that fromer Blazer Kevin Duckworth died after his enlarged heart failed.  He was 44.  Catch your Duck tribute here.
• The Miami Herald is reporting that Dwayne Wade has said that his mission is to bring the team back to being a title contender.  This coming off a league-worst 15-win season.  They will be better with the Wade-Marion-Beasley trio but their situation at center prevents them from being considered a title contender. 
• The Salt Lake Tribune is speculating that the Jazz should consider making a play at acquiring Ben Gordon from the Bulls.  This makes no sense to me especially with how expensive Gordon will be.  The Jazz don’t need his outside shooting ability.  Stick with Kyle Korver and be happy you don’t have to overhaul your roster while bringing in Gordon, who apparently wants Monta Ellis money.
• The Toronto Sun is reporting that second round draft pick Kyle Weaver has signed a contract with the Oklahoma City franchise.  I think Weaver will be a good role player in this league.  Weaver is a solid defender who also has a versatile offensive game and had a knack for making big plays while playing in college at Washington State.  Good value in the second round if you ask me. 
• Finally the Rocky Mountain News is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors will be playing two preseason games in China this October. 

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Photo via AP