New York Knicks
2017-18 record: 29-53
2017-18 season series: 4-0, Sixers
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
The Knicks will be missing Kristaps Porzingis for most, if not all of the regular season. That doesn’t bode well for their standing in an Atlantic Division that includes Philly, Boston and Toronto. Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr. will be vying for lead scoring duties. So, yeah.
Even with Porzingis, the Knicks aren’t particularly enjoyable. Their poor depth and chronic flaws make winning games difficult. David Fizdale is a solid coach, but he won’t have much to work with this season.
Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson are intriguing rookies who, as a byproduct of their losing, will get major minutes. That’s one positive in what projects to be a gloomy season for New York fans. Kyrie Irving won’t be playing the role of savior in 2019 either.
As Porzingis rehabs, the Sixers hold the advantage in every measurable category. Scoring, defense, rebounding, passing — it all favors Brett Brown’s squad.