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NBA Power Rankings Week 5: Favorites keep falling, champs keep climbing

By Jack Simone

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks wait for a free throw during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks wait for a free throw during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NBA; NBA Power Rankings
Alec Burks #18, RJ Barrett #9, Mitchell Robinson #23, Derrick Rose #4 and Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Orlando Magic (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

NBA Power Rankings: 15. New York Knicks (9-7)

Last week: (2-1) – vs. IND (W), vs. ORL (L), vs. HOU (W)

Rank last week: 16

Offensive rating: 108.8 (12th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 108.4 (17th in NBA)

After being an elite defensive team last season, that’s the biggest issue plaguing the New York Knicks this year. They’re not a bad defensive team, but they’re just not reaching their full potential on that end.

Over the past week, New York’s offense has struggled to put up many points, and their defense has carried them. The Knicks just can’t get their solid offense and solid defense to line up with each other in the same game.

No one on the Knicks averaged more than 14.3 points this past week, and the scoring leader was Alec Burks. Julius Randle and RJ Barrett both struggled to shoot well from the field.

While Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier shot a bit better this week, they’re still not pouring in as many points as expected. New York definitely has some kinks to iron out.

Season outlook: This Knicks team is hungry to make another run at the playoffs. They’ll definitely get there, but how far they make it is up for debate. In all honesty, a first-round exit could be on the horizon again if they don’t fix some issues on both ends of the floor.