2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Knicks, Bulls Regress In Week 9

In Week 9 of NBA Power Rankings, the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls show signs of regression after hot starts in 2016-17.

Regression is a part of life, and it’s certainly a part of the NBA. For every two teams that get off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, there’s at least one that regresses back to the mean as time goes by.

Sometimes teams defy expectations for an entire season, but most of the time, pleasant surprises early in the year are quickly revealed as fool’s gold as the sample size grows larger and larger.

Less than two months into the 2016-17 campaign, the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are starting to show signs of regression.

The Knicks feasted on a favorable early schedule, climbing as high as third in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls also reached third in the standings, but have been unable to sustain the solid early play of their “three alphas.”

Are these teams doomed to the mediocrity and shortcomings we predicted from the start? Or can they turn things around and get back on track?

Here’s a look at our Week 9 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings, but first, we take a moment to honor the late Craig Sager, who passed away last week at the age of 65. Sages is gone, but certainly never forgotten.