Power Rankings: Pistons take over the reins

Updated Dec. 13

Michael Buffer couldn't make it over fast enough from the Winky Wright-King Soliman bout to drop the necessary audio, so you Detroit fans will just have to be content with the printed version:

With their loss to the Hawks, Tony Parker and the Spurs fall to No. 2. (Getty Images)

"For the thousands upon thousands hungry for Power Rankings around the world, we have a unanimous decision. Tony Mejia has gone over all scorecards, and as of Dec. 13, the winner, and NEW No. 1 professional basketball team in the world: The Motors of Motown, the Kings of the Palace, supplying thrills and chills in Auburn Hills, the Detroit Pistons!"

After weeks of Detroit fans clamoring for an ascent to No. 1 and being told they would have to wait for the Dec. 25 Finals rematch with San Antonio to stake their claim, Christmas came early, delivered by none other than those Santa Claus clones, the Atlanta Hawks. Ho, ho, ho. Ha, ha, ha.

Mind you, Detroit lost its legs in a setback in Utah, but the Spurs served up a win to Atlanta over the weekend. Are there similarities between the surprising losses of league's frontrunners? Sure. Both came on the second leg of back-to-backs. Both games were lost in the second half. There, that's it.

Losing to the Hawks, though, is like telling your boss off or flicking off a cop: you know there are going to be repercussions. In this case, it's a demotion.

The rest of the week's Power Rankings:

RANK	TEAM		MOVE (LW)