Greetings.
It comes as no surprise but Wolves guard Ricky Rubio, who finished second to Kyrie Irving for rookie of the year, was named to the NBA's all-rookie first team today. He joins Irving (Cleveland), Kenneth Faried (Denver), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Iman Shumpert (New York), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio) and Brandon Knight (Detroit) on the first team. Yes, that is seven players. But Shumpert, Leonard and Knight tied in the voting totals.
Wolves forward Derrick Williams joined Chandler Parsons (Houston), Isaiah Thomas (Sacramento), MarShon Brooks (New Jersey) and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland) on the second team.
The league's 30 head coaches were asked to select five players for the first team and five for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not allowed to vote for players on their own team. Two points went to first-team votes, one point for second-team votes.
Rubio got 21 first-team votes, second only to Irving's 29, and seven second-team votes. Williams got two first-place votes and 12 second-team votes.
Rubio joins Pooh Richardson, Christian Laettner, Isaiah Rider, Stephon Marbury, Wally Szczerbiak and Randy Foye as Wolves rookies to earn first-team all-rookie honors. Williams joins Felton Spencer, Kevin Garnett, Craig Smith, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn and Wes Johnson as Wolves all-rookie second teamers.
Below are the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie First and Second Teams:
2011-12 NBA ALL-ROOKIE FIRST TEAM
