New York Knicks: ESPN BPI Projects Another 30-Win Season
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks reacts during the 2017 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index projects the New York Knicks will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season in 2017-18.

The New York Knicks finished the 2016-17 season with 31 wins. They were tied for the 25th worst record in the NBA along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index doesn’t think things will get better in 2017-18.

So, what the hell is ESPN’s Basketball Power Index?

Here’s a quick synopsis of the latest from ESPN’s Analytics Department:

BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. BPI accounts for game-by-game efficiency, strength of schedule, pace, days of rest, game location and preseason expectations.

The computerized preseason rankings slotted the Knicks 25th of the NBA’s 30 teams. BPI projects New York to finish with the same record of 31-51.

According to BPI, they’re 4.1 points worse than the average team.

Some fans will scoff at a ranking like this, but it’s just as accurate as any that a person would put out there. The Knicks are trying to lose and finishing with a terrible record is a legitimate prediction.

Only the Suns, Kings, Nets, Hawks and Bulls finished lower. The Bulls, Hawks, and Suns are all tanking too.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.