NBA Power Rankings Roundup: Hawks hold on to top spot

Well another week has passed and another week where the Hawks have not lost a game.  You would think that us Hawks fans are getting used to it, but no I for one am savoring every second of this.  The Hawks currently have a seven game lead on the second team in the east and it could have been eight had Faried hit a single free throw at the end of the game against the Wizards.  But alas, the lead is still at seven and the unbelievable and awesome season is still going on even at the halfway point of the season.  So without making you wait any longer, let's get to the rankings.

To start things off, Drew Garrison of SBNation.com puts the Hawks at #1 in his latest ranking.

The Hawks' winning streak is up to 16 games. It's now been an entire month since they lost. Until further notice, the Hawks are the hottest team in the NBA.

John Schuhmann of NBA.com also puts the Hawks at #1 on his list.

The Hawks' 16-game winning streak has built them a seven-game leadatop the Eastern Conference, and we'll find out Thursday how many All-Star selections that has earned them. Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap have the standard stats, but Kyle Korver and Al Horford are the most important elements of their top-five offense and top-five defense, respectively.

USATODAY.com puts the Hawks at #2 on their list right below the Warriors.

Four All-Stars is a possibility, though specialists such as Kyle Korver rarely get in.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com has the Hawks at #1 and mentions the wins against the West this year.

The Hawks, thanks to win streaks of nine and 16 games and 10 wins in a row against Western Conference opposition, are just the 10th team in history to play at least 32 games and lose only two of them. Six of the previous nine -- since we know that was your next question -- went on to win it all.

Matt Moore of CBSsports.com puts Atlanta at #1 and says he can't wait to see this team in the playoffs.

Beyond being awesome and fun to watch, the Hawks are providing a fascinating test. People believe without a true "superstar," you can't win in the playoffs, so they doubt the Hawks. This despite Al Horford, Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap. But the Hawks haven't needed it, because they create better shots. Can you do that in the playoffs? I don't know, but I want to find out.

Matt Dollinger  of SI.com also puts the Hawks at #1 and is the latest guy to show his love for Korver.

How many Hawks will make the All-Star team? Paul Millsap is close to a lock, Jeff Teague might bethe most overlooked playing in the voting process and Kyle Korver is shooting a higher percentage from three-point range than Dwight Howard is from the line. With Mike Budenholzer coaching -- and Al Horford also worthy of consideration -- I’m putting the over/under at 2.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports continues the trend with ranking the Hawks at #1.

Atlanta has won 16 straight games overall and 11 in a row over the West. The Hawks are 7 games in front in the East.

Finally, Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk will finish up our ranking and put the Hawks at #1.

The winning streak is now at a ridiculous 16 games. We know at least one Hawk will be represented at the All-Star Game — Mike Budenholzer will coach the East. The question for the coaches voting around the league is how many of Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver to add to the All-Star team as reserves (two at least, maybe three).

That does it for the rankings this week and as we see the Hawks seem to be #1 for the most part.  The Hawks face a tough test against Portland Trailblazers this week and after that the heavy weight showdown against he Golden State Warriors next week.  Anyway as always let me know what you guys think of the ranking this week in the comments.