ESPN recently unveiled its first Real Plus-Minus stats of 2018-19. Where did the New York Knicks fall in line with it?
2018-19 has provided inconsistent results for the New York Knicks. At 4-14, they have fought through tight games and blowout losses against some of the NBA’s elite. It’s through a developmental year of various lineups and a watchful eye on the team’s youth.
Different stats can assess New York’s performance. None may be more unique than ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus, which debuted in the 2013-14 season. It determines a player’s impact in net point differential per 100 offensive and defensive possessions, according to NBAStuffer.com.
ESPN includes all NBA players in this, and it released the first batch of RPM stats on Nov. 19. This included Marc Gasol‘s league-leading 7.21 and Nikola Jokic‘s 6.38. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Paul George filled out the top five.
Where did the Knicks fall in this through 2018-19’s first month? Let’s take a look:
Other players fall below the top 400.
Each players’ RPM trends towards the stronger part of their game, including Hardaway’s offense, Robinson’s defense, Burke’s offense and Kanter’s offense.
Hardaway’s Offensive RPM actually places 12th in the NBA, and Robinson and Vonleh are both in the top 10 in Defensive RPM; both have negative ORPM as a result.
Perhaps the biggest fall, Kanter sits 359th in RPM, despite his 15.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. It’s due to a -2.03 DRPM — the worst among 57 qualified centers. He’s one of five centers to have a negative DRPM.
Is RPM a make-or-break stat? No. There different ways to assess a player’s value, even if RPM stands near the forefront. From offensive and defensive rating to true shooting percentage, usage percentage and the basic points, rebounds and assists, they all break everything down in some format.
Everyone’s RPM will change with ESPN’s next update. Hardaway, Kanter, Vonleh and others may rise or fall further. Rookies like Allonzo Trier and Kevin Knox may jump into the mix, too, as this season moves forward.
