by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

The time of reckoning is upon us. A new year is nigh, and the best team in the NBA is the Los Angeles Clippers.

No, we don’t know how this happened. But everyone agrees.

The Clippers completed a 16-0 December on Sunday night, but USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings ballots came in before Sunday’s games. And every single one had the Clippers on top.

The voting panel comprised USA TODAY Sports’ Adi Joseph, Kevin Spain and Jeff Zillgitt; Hoopsworld.com’s Steve Kyler and Lang Greene; and the Detroit Free Press’ Vincent Ellis.

The Los Angeles Lakers would love to change that Friday, when they play the Clippers in their shared arena, Staples Center. But that’s days away, even if it may be the most anticipated Lakers-Clippers game ever.

The Clippers love trickled down to the MVP vote, to a degree. And why not? The team can’t lose, and the previously No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder fell against the Miami Heat on Christmas.

Here is the top five (points based on a 30-29-28-etc. scale):

Now, that Clipper love didn’t completely flip the MVP vote. Week after week, the Heat’s LeBron James and Thunder’s Kevin Durant have led our balloting. But this week, a third wheel emerged in the form of Clippers point guard Chris Paul.

Ultimately, James’ Heat beat Durant’s Thunder, and the MVP frontrunner voting followed suit. Here’s the top five (points based on a 7-5-3-2-1 scale):

It’s worth noting that both voters to pick Paul had James above Durant. Also receiving votes were Grizzles forward Zach Randolph (two points) and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (one).

The rookie of the year balloting continues to be dominated by one name. Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has received every vote for weeks. His biggest challenge … [For more on NBA power rankings: Clippers on top; Chris Paul, too?, click here.]