TeamRankings appears to be a betting website. I think they have the Bulls ranked higher than the general consensus because the Bulls are capable of beating top teams, whereas the usual power rankings are more about what teams are hot or cold at the moment. Also, it may be ranking teams against the spread rather than just based on wins and losses, and the Bulls have lost a lot of close games this year, suggesting that their record is in part based on bad luck.
538 also has a different purpose than most other power rankings, using an algorithm to predict how teams will do. It doesn’t incorporate the same amount of information during the season as bettors, though, instead sticking pretty close to pre-season predictions. Interestingly, 538 seemed unduly pessimistic about the Bulls at the beginning of the season, and is now one of the more optimistic rankings.
As I recall two reasons for 538’s pessimism stood out. First, 538’s algorithm thought 33 year old DeMar DeRozan over performed for his age last year and was overdue for a decline, and in fact he has declined. Second, 538’s algorithm is extremely cautious about players who were out for a long time due to injury like Lonzo Ball, and in this case that caution was merited.
YoHoochIsCrazy
I think this is the strongest they’ve looked for most of the year. They may never put it together, but I don’t think anyone would want to play the Bulls in a play in or playoff game.
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This Week’s Rankings:
NBA.com: 25
ESPN: 25
fivethirtyeight.com: 20
The Athletic: 26
Bleacher Report: 20
NBC Sports: 24
CBS Sports: 26
SI.com: 24
Team Rankings: 15
Average: 22.78
TeamRankings appears to be a betting website. I think they have the Bulls ranked higher than the general consensus because the Bulls are capable of beating top teams, whereas the usual power rankings are more about what teams are hot or cold at the moment. Also, it may be ranking teams against the spread rather than just based on wins and losses, and the Bulls have lost a lot of close games this year, suggesting that their record is in part based on bad luck.
538 also has a different purpose than most other power rankings, using an algorithm to predict how teams will do. It doesn’t incorporate the same amount of information during the season as bettors, though, instead sticking pretty close to pre-season predictions. Interestingly, 538 seemed unduly pessimistic about the Bulls at the beginning of the season, and is now one of the more optimistic rankings.
As I recall two reasons for 538’s pessimism stood out. First, 538’s algorithm thought 33 year old DeMar DeRozan over performed for his age last year and was overdue for a decline, and in fact he has declined. Second, 538’s algorithm is extremely cautious about players who were out for a long time due to injury like Lonzo Ball, and in this case that caution was merited.
I think this is the strongest they’ve looked for most of the year. They may never put it together, but I don’t think anyone would want to play the Bulls in a play in or playoff game.
Is Mitch McConnell dead yet?