PG: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Irving's play this season was exactly what Cleveland needed to escape "The Decision" and begin a new life as an NBA team on the rise. It seemed impossible to energize the city and franchise after what had happened in the summer of 2010, which only makes Irving's accomplishments that much more remarkable. The league has recently added two guys who have Hall of Fame games with guy-next-door humility -- Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose. Irving is their equal in terms of talent, potential and personality.

Consider it another way: Anthony Davis is one of the most exciting prospects to enter the draft in a decade, but he is not likely to be a more impactful player than Irving, who already has shown elite-level talent as a crunch-time player who can carry a team for 48 minutes. Cleveland won two lotteries, in essence, last season: It got the right pingpong ball combination and had its horrible season leading up to the year that Irving was in the draft

SG: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
It is frequently written in this space that rookies oftent have the game to shine but lack the opportunity to show it. Thompson's season makes that point easy to see. He has more than doubled his scoring average since Monta Ellis was traded and become one of the best shooters in the league.

He's also someone Golden State can feature in "single-double" action (where he can use one guy as a screen on one side of the floor or two screens on the other side) for years to come, which will help his teammates get clean looks when defenses are focused on stopping that play. Steph Curry and Thompson could soon be the best-shooting backcourt in the league.

SF: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
While it's true that no rookie was drafted into a better situation than Leonard, it doesn't take away from his accomplishments. Wide open or not, he still had to make open 3-pointers, which he proved more than capable of as the season evolved. He also had to make easy plays on offense and not turn the ball over, while being as sharp as a veteran on defensive rotations. He even provided some key rebounding help.

Few rookies start for teams that have the No. 1 seed in their conference, fewer for a team that makes the NBA Finals. Leonard has a chance to do both and can be an X factor in the playoffs thanks to his energetic and smart play.

PF: Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
The Manimal's game is pure energy and excitement. Faried has brought a "never say die" quality to the Nuggets, which translated to possessions that seemed hopeless until he arrived. From tip dunks and offensive rebounds to bucket-saving blocked shots and steals, opponents had to focus every second he was on the court.

He reminds me of a great NFL sack artist, who brings all of his talent to every snap and embarrasses blockers when they take even one play off. His tenacity is contagious and has been a big part of Denver's ability to manage injuries and a midseason trade to remain a dangerous playoff team.