2012 NBA Rookie Big Board 2.0

The 2012 NBA regular season is steadily approaching its close, meaning the individuals we love to watch could be heading home empty-handed. Fortunately, the teams we love to study will be around for at least another four games after the regular season ends.

For those interested in the development of players, the playoffs may not offer much comfort. A majority of the playoff teams are veteran-led with very few, if any, rookies receiving playing time. In order to truly evaluate the first-year players and their contributions, it's important that we make the most of this final week of basketball.

Here is the second edition of the Rookie Big Board.

20. Nikola Vucevic, Philadelphia 76ers

Last Week's Position: 18 (-2)

After a promising string of games towards the beginning of April, Vucevic has seen his role and production take a strange dip. While he's usually seen the majority of his playing time come as garbage minutes, his absence from relatively lopsided games has to throw up some caution flags.

Hope to see the Swiss center receive more consistent playing time come the playoffs.

Season Averages: 16.1 MPG - 14.06 PER - 5.7 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 0.7 BPG

19. Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento Kings

Last Week's Position: 17 (-2)

Jimmer Fredette may be receiving more playing time, but he's also shooting just 39 percent from the floor over the past five games. What's worst of all is that he's actually improved that shooting over his season shooting percentage.

While Fredette has the potential to be around for quite some time—his long-range shooting would be valuable to any team—he'll need to score at a more efficient rate in order to truly be considered a legitimate rotational option.

That's tough to say considering he's playing for the Kings.

Season Averages: 18.5 MPG - 10.89 PER - 7.5 PPG - 1.8 APG - 1.2 RPG

18. Norris Cole, Miami Heat

Last Week's Position: 18 (+1)

Despite what his numbers may suggest, Norris Cole has become a much better player since the beginning of the season. While he isn't scoring as often, he's really honed his game in ways that have enabled him to become a much more efficient and well-rounded contributor.

Cole has also begun to see much more consistent playing time, breaking the 20-minute mark in three of his past four games. As long as he continues to handle the ball well and keep the turnovers low, Cole should have a lengthy career at the NBA level.

Season Averages: 18.8 MPG - 8.42 PER - 6.5 PPG - 2.1 RPG - 1.4 APG - 0.7 SPG

17. Ivan Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Last Week's Position: 20 (+3)

Since the first Rookie Big Board was posted, Ivan Johnson is averaging 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game over a 2-1 span for the Atlanta Hawks. Nothing new from one of the strongest second-half performers in this entire rookie class.

Come playoff time, expect to hear this man's name on a very consistent basis. Potential fan favorite.

Season Averages: 16.3 MPG - 14.57 PER - 6.4 PPG - 3.9 RPG - 51% FG

16. Greg Stiemsma, Boston Celtics

Last Week's Position: 16 (No Change)

Over the past three games, Greg Stiemsma has posted averages of 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 1.7 steals. If that doesn't scream "well-rounded," then I don't know what does.

Especially when you consider Stiemsma spent more time in foul trouble against the Knicks than he did on the floor. So let's translate that to two-game averages of 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 blocks and 2.5 steals.

This kid is a defensive specialist.

Season Averages: 14.0 MPG - 13.49 PER - 2.9 PPG - 3.2 RPG - 1.6 BPG

15. Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons

Last Week's Position: 14 (-1)

On April 17th, Brandon Knight showed the NBA what he was capable of. He shot an unreal 11-of-12 from the floor, going off for a career-high 28 points and seven assists, all while leading the Pistons to a 116-77 blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Unfortunately, he's followed that performance by shooting a combined 4-for-21 over the past two games.

Nevertheless, Knight's potential is sky-high. He's shown all the makings of a dominant scoring guard, with the capability to facilitate not lost along the way. Between he and Greg Monroe, the Pistons have quite a promising duo at the point and 5.

Season Averages: 32.4 MPG - 11.99 PER - 12.9 PPG - 3.8 APG - 3.2 RPG

14. Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Week's Position: 12 (-2)

Derrick Williams has been far from consistent, but he's also impossible to overlook. His 3-for-15 shooting performance against the Pacers was quite underwhelming, yet Williams still managed to finish with a double-double.

Take the good with the bad, eh?

Unfortunately for the 2011 second overall draft choice, he takes a well-warranted tumble in the rookie rankings. His upside is as high as any in this draft, but if we're judging year one, there's no rational way to place him any higher.

Season Averages: 21.8 MPG - 12.97 PER - 9.0 PPG - 4.8 RPG

13. Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns

Last Week's Position: 13 (No Change)

Markieff Morris has played well over the past five games, averaging 10.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Truthfully, the only reason he's not higher up are the players in front of him.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that Morris is playing a prominent role on a Suns team that's within a half game of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

While his playing time has been sporadic as he's split time with a surplus of players, he's coming on at the right time and could make quite the name for himself should the Suns make the playoffs.

Season Averages: 19.4 MPG - 13.03 PER - 4.4 RPG - 0.7 BPG - 0.7 SPG

12. Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Bobcats

Last Week's Position: 15 (+3)

Bismack Biymobo's past four games include games against the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. It also includes a tough matchup against Chris Kaman and the Hornets. Over those four games, Biyombo has proven one thing: Greater competition leads to an elevated level of play from the first-year center.

Over that four-game span, Biyombo posted averages of 7.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. While he's still quite raw in terms of fundamentals, it's clear that Biyombo knows how to use his body. As long as he learns the basics of basketball, he could be something special.

Season Averages: 22.3 MPG - 11.11 PER - 5.2 PPG - 5.8 RPG - 1.7 BPG

11. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

Last Week's Position: 10 (-1)

Kemba Walker has scored the ball well over the past five games, averaging 11.6 points per contest. He's also averaging 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over that span, which are admirable numbers considering the team he plays for.

Unfortunately, Walker is shooting just 35.8 percent from the field over that span.

It may be fair to say Walker's teammate, Bismack Biyombo, deserves to be placed above the 2011 national champion. Due to evaluation of a full body of work, however, Walker remains in this position.

Season Averages: 27.1 MPG - 15.55 PER - 12.4 PPG - 4.3 APG - 3.4 RPG - 0.9 SPG

10. Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Week's Position: 9 (-1)

Tristan Thompson has shown a lot of versatility over the past four games, balancing an average scoring output with consistently efficient rebounding. If only he could knock down those free throws...

Thompson has displayed quite an impressive upside, as evidenced by his 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over the past four games. He's also shown a tendency to improve on where he's struggled, attempting to expand his offensive game to more than dunks.

If his work ethic continues to match his potential, the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2011 draft could go down as one of the best in recent memory.

Season Averages: 23.5 MPG - 12.93 PER - 8.1 PPG - 6.3 RPG - 1.0 BPG

9. MarShon Brooks, New Jersey Nets

Last Week's Position: 11 (+1)

Prior to a disappointing performance against the New York Knicks, MarShon Brooks went on a six-game tear of double-digit scoring. Over that span, Brooks averaged 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Once again proving the people wrong that believe he's solely a scorer.

While consistency will come in time, Brooks is already a considerably well-rounded player. Should he remain healthy, there's no reason he can't continue this level of production.

Season Averages: 29.3 MPG - 13.23 PER - 12.5 PPG - 3.6 RPG - 2.3 APG - 0.9 SPG

8. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Last Week's Position: 6 (-2)

Kawhi Leonard has played at quite a remarkable level this season, stepping up in a big way for the Western Conference's best team. His drop, however, is solely warranted by the individual development of his fellow rookies.

Nevertheless, Leonard's individual play must be acknowledged as it is: excellent.

On a team in which only one player sees 30-plus minutes on a consistent basis, Leonard has managed to excel in the minutes available to him. He's played both the 3 and the 4 and never seemed out of place at either position.

Season Averages: 24.1 MPG - 16.87 PER - 7.9 PPG - 5.2 RPG - 1.3 SPG

7. Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets

Last Week's Position: 5 (-2)

As the Houston Rockets have fallen out of the playoffs, Chandler Parsons' stock has fallen with it. By drop, of course, that means the impressive rookie has gone from top-five to just top-10.

Regardless of his drop, Parsons has had a very unique season. He's one of the few rookies who starts on a playoff contender, docking 30-plus minutes in most of his appearances. In those appearances, Parsons is often taxed with defending the opponent's best player—a drawback of playing alongside Kevin Martin.

Parsons deserves first-team placement at the end of the season.

Season Averages: 28.6 MPG - 13.07 PER - 9.4 PPG - 4.8 RPG - 2.2 APG - 1.1 SPG

6. Isaiah Thomas, Sacramento Kings

Last Week's Position: 8 (+2)

Isaiah Thomas has been brilliant since the beginning of the season, acting as the spark plug for an otherwise lifeless Kings team. Over the past five games, he has been even more exciting than usual.

Over that span, Thomas has scored greater than 20 points on two occasions. This has led to averages of 15.6 points, 6.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds on 47.5 percent shooting. He's also shooting 38.1 percent from distance and 92.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Expect more of the same as the season comes to a close.

Season Averages: 25.1 MPG - 17.79 PER - 11.6 PPG - 4.0 APG - 2.6 RPG - 0.8 SPG

5. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Last Week's Position: 7 (+2)

Much could be made of the system he plays in, but it would be foolish to downplay how dominant a scorer Klay Thompson has developed into. Evidence of such is his average of 21.2 points over his past five games.

He's also averaging 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals over that streak.

While the scoring is impressive, it's the development of those other traits that inspires so much faith in Thompson's abilities. He was a one-dimensional player for the majority of the season, thus making it difficult to place any true number on his potential. As of this moment, however, Thompson has proven to be more than capable of taking on the role of franchise player.

Season Averages: 23.4 MPG - 14.90 PER - 11.9 PPG - 2.3 RPG - 1.9 APG

4. Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks

Last Week's Position: 4 (No Change)

Iman Shumpert continues to play big minutes and make major contributions. He's also established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the game today; regardless of his status as a rookie.

While his offensive game leaves much to be desired, Shumpert has been one of the leaders of the Knicks' turnaround. He's easily the Knicks' best defender not named Tyson Chandler and is almost always tasked with taking on an opponent's best player.

If Shumpert can find a way to score in ways other than playing above the rim, he could emerge as, arguably, the best pick of this year's draft.

Season Averages: 29.1 MPG - 10.71 PER - 9.6 PPG - 3.2 RPG - 2.8 APG - 1.8 SPG

3. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Week's Position: 2 (-1)

Had he stayed healthy, Rubio would have had a legitimate chance at winning Rookie of the Year. Unfortunately, Rubio was lost for the season after 41 games. Even still, he remains one of the top players out of this rookie class.

Since Rubio went down with an injury, the Timberwolves have gone from 21-21 to 26-38. That's a change from playoff contention to elimination from contention with more than two weeks left to play.

If you're looking for "value," you're looking for Ricky Rubio.

Season Averages: 34.2 MPG - 14.71 PER - 10.6 PPG - 8.2 APG - 4.2 RPG - 2.2 SPG

2. Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets

Last Week's Position: 3 (+1)

Kenneth Faried is one of the most important players on a team that is holding onto the seventh seed in the West. His contributions have done just enough to pull him ahead of Ricky Rubio on the Rookie Big Board.

The past five games have shown something quite important about Faried's game: It's consistent. His averages are relatively identical to those that he's posted over the span of this season, making him a player who is not hard to predict: He'll give you roughly 10 and eight on a nightly basis. Is there anything to complain about there?

Season Averages: 21.9 MPG - 21.88 PER - 9.9 PPG - 7.4 RPG - 1.0 BPG - 0.8 SPG

1. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Week's Position: 1 (No Change)

There should be no question about this, as Kyrie Irving has all but locked up the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He's scored with ease, facilitated a well-below-average team to mediocrity and displayed all signs of a lock-down defender.

If you're looking for the next great point guard in the NBA, you've got him right here.

Season Averages: 31.1 MPG - 21.11 PER - 18.6 PPG - 5.6 APG - 3.9 RPG - 1.0 SPG