Early Predictions for NBA All-Rookie Teams

There are some interesting candidates to make the All-Rookie team for the 2011-12 NBA season. Kyrie Irving is playing as if we can write his name in ink for the roster.

With some serious surprises in the rookie class early on in the year, there are some names under consideration who may not exactly be widely recognized among some fans.

It's so early in the year that things are definitely subject to change, but some first-year players look a lot more comfortable than their colleagues.

Second-Team Point Guard: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota

Stats: 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 52.6 percent shooting

Rubio has exceeded everyone's expectations upon debuting stateside for Minnesota, and it should only be a matter of time before he starts.

He has really energized his teammates when he's on the floor, and his ability to find the open man no matter where he is on the floor is very clearly on display.

Much was made of his inability to shoot the ball, but he's done so at a very respectable clip in the early going, as he's already got three games of double-digit scoring.

Second-Team Shooting Guard: Iman Shumpert, New York

Stats: 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, 39.1 percent shooting

Shumpert has energized the Knicks backcourt in every moment he's spent on the floor, and he's quickly developing into a fan favorite in New York.

He's already a more dynamic option at shooting guard (and more talented) than incumbent Landry Fields, and there is no way he spends much longer coming off the bench.

His raw athleticism and upside are exactly the spark the Knicks need injected into the attack. It looks like the team got a major steal when he fell to No. 17 overall.

Second-Team Small Forward: Chandler Parsons, Houston

Stats: 5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.2 steals, 50 percent shooting

Parsons is the lone second-round pick to make an appearance here, but it's well deserved considering how he's played early for the Rockets.

He's lengthy, which gives his opposition a challenge when guarding him, and he has made the most of the playing time which has been given to him.

Expect his role to steadily grow as the season progresses, as the Rockets have serious questions at the small forward position.

Second-Team Power Forward: Markieff Morris, Phoenix

Stats: 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.5 blocks, 57.1 percent shooting

Morris has stepped in and excelled for the Suns with Channing Frye struggling a bit out of the gate, and he looks to be a really solid fit in Alvin Gentry's offense.

His minutes have been rather sporadic, but every time his number is called, Morris has contributed in a sizable manner.

If he can improve on his rebounding, Phoenix is going to have to make a decision on whether or not to continue starting Frye, who has been just abysmal on offense through the first six games of the year.

Second-Team Center: Enes Kanter, Utah

Stats: 4.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.5 blocks, 41.7 percent shooting

Kanter is pulling down an impressive amount of rebounds considering he's playing in less than 15 minutes per game, and his shot selection is beginning to steadily improve.

It's going to take some time for Kanter to adjust to the pro level after sitting out all of last season, but his development may take a little longer than some would like with the presence of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors down low.

In a rookie class really lacking a lot of talent at the center position, Kanter is definitely someone to keep an eye on moving forward.

First-Team Point Guard: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland

Stats: 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks, 41.9 percent shooting

Irving has taken control of the reins in Cleveland has shown impressive poise in his first season.

Entrusted with the starting job immediately, Irving has really done a great job orchestrating the offense, and he's turned the ball over at a surprisingly low rate given how often the rock has been in his hands.

He's going to have some bumps and bruises along the way, but there is every reason for Cavs fans to be excited about his future in the league.

First-Team Shooting Guard: MarShon Brooks

Stats: 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45.8 percent shooting

Brooks has come in and scored for a team that is desperately searching for offense, and he's already exceeded expectations early this season.

His reputation coming out of Providence was as a volume scorer, and he's lived up to that with double-digit performances in five of his first career seven games.

It took less than two weeks for him to earn a starting role in the league, and with the way he's playing, there is no reason to think he's about to slow down any time soon.

First-Team Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio

Stats: 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 37.5 percent shooting

Leonard gets the nod by default here, and while he's had flashes of intriguing potential, he has yet to deliver on a consistent basis for the Spurs.

He's got very real rebounding skills despite standing just 6'7", and his athleticism allows him to be extremely active at both ends of the floor.

There is a ton of potential here and the Spurs typically do well in the draft, so watching Leonard develop will be fun as the season progresses.

First-Team Power Forward: Tristan Thompson, Cleveland

Stats: 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, 48.8 percent shooting

Thompson's playing time has been a inconsistent between games early in the season, but he's produced no matter how much time he spends on the floor.

He's blocked at least one shot in every game except for one, and he's scored in double-digits in three of his first six games as a professional.

Some were pegging him to struggle out of the gate, but that hasn't happened, and he certainly looks like the highly athletic shot-blocker he was built up to be.

First-Team Center: Greg Stiemsma, Boston

Stats: 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.2 steals, 2.6 blocks, 57.1 percent shooting

Stiemsma was the 2010 NBDL Defensive Player of the Year, and he has undoubtedly asserted himself as a defensive force beneath the basket.

Despite averaging just 16 minutes per game, Stiemsma is fourth in the league in blocked shots per game behind only DeAndre Jordan, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard.

The Celtics are desperate for a presence in the middle with Jermaine O'Neal inconsistent at best, and Stiemsma is stepping into the role beautifully.