2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Knicks, Bulls Regress In Week 9
Gerald Bourguet
Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) defends Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 9 of NBA Power Rankings, the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls show signs of regression after hot starts in 2016-17.
Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) defends Chicago Bulls guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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.
Dec 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks the ball in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (left) and forward Dirk Nowitzki (center) and guard Wesley Matthews (right) cover their eyes from the bench during the second half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. The Kings defeat the Mavericks 120-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) celebrates scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder defeat the Suns 114-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 100-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) exchanges words with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (not pictured) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 99-79. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) passes the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat Indiana Pacers 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on as a teammate shoots free throws during the third quarter of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 114-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) makes a backwards dunk against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward John Henson (31) tries to block a shot by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) gets away from the pressure of Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hornets won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (left) talks with Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 132-120. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) stretches on the baseline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates after making a three point field goal against the LA Clippers in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 117-110. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is defended by Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pacers won 105-90. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) dribbles as center Cody Zeller (40) sets a pick on Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit:
Dec 18, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) react to a call during the first half at FedExForum. the Utah Jazz defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (right) greets guard Avery Bradley (left) after Bradley make a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates making three basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder defeat the Suns 114-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) rests during the first half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Vertical Sources: Clippers forward Blake Griffin will undergo minor surgery on his right knee in coming days, return some point in January.
Dec 18, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) sets a pick for Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (1) during the first half at FedExForum. the Utah Jazz defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) celebrates with guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a basket against Milwaukee Bucks in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; A general view of the scoreboard prior to the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Memphis Grizzlies showing the status of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James and Kevin Love at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Former San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan hugs head coach Gregg Popovich during a ceremony after an NBA basketball game between the Spurs and the New Orleans Pelicans at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35), forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Stephen Curry (30) high five after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 135-90. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
