NBA power rankings 2013: Hawks remain in top 10 on most lists

The Atlanta Hawks had their year end with a whimper after a 123-104 loss to the Houston Rockets, snapping a four-game winning streak. The loss didn't hurt them much in the power rankings, where they remained in the top ten on most lists. On ESPN.com, Marc Stein has the Hawks ranked at No. 8 in his power rankings, unchanged from last week.

Stein wrote the blurb before Monday's loss, but it does say that the Hawks are great on the road with a contest against the New Orleans Hornets looming on Tuesday:

The Hawks' prospects didn't look all that great back on opening night, when they surrendered 45 points to James Harden and lost at home. Yet they enter Monday night's rematch in Houston with the best road record in the East at 8-4 ... while Joe Johnson and the Nets try to dig out of disarray.

On Pro Basketball Talk, Kurt Helin has the Hawks ranked at No. 7, up one spot from the previous week. Helin also made reference to the trade that sent guard Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets:

Winners of four in a row, including quality wins over the Bulls and Pacers in that stretch. Their offense is going well with Lou Williams starting, taking over the Joe Johnson role. (Think Hawks fans are enjoying watching the Nets fall apart?)

In the CBS Sports' NBA power rankings, Matt Moore has the Hawks ranked at No. 8, unchanged from the previous week:

Tell me you wouldn't watch a "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" remake with Ivan Johnson in the lead role.

One of the few power rankings lists that does not have the Hawks in the top ten is John Hollinger of ESPN.com. He has the Hawks ranked at No. 13, down one spot from the previous week. His rankings have Atlanta half of a point behind the Minnesota Timberwolves.