Derrick Williams: 5 Bold Predictions for His Rookie Season with the Timberwolves

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NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Derrick Williams from Arizona smiles after he was selected #2 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User ex

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Derrick Williams has been touted as a guy with unlimited potential. Now he will be playing on a young Timberwolves team looking for playmakers.

Williams has what it takes to become an All-Star and bring Minnesota back to the playoffs.

Here are some predictions from what he might accomplish in just his rookie year.

5. Derrick Williams Will Start for the Timberwolves

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Lamont Jones #12 and Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after defeating the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in

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I think Michael Beasley is a great player, but he will not start over Derrick Williams. You can compare college stats all you want, but college stats don't matter in the NBA.

Similar to Derrick Rose, Williams was drafted because of potential. He proved throughout college that he is determined and capable of improving his game.

T-Wolves GM David Kahn has also gotten a lot of heat (and rightfully so) for his choices on draft day in recent years. Kahn will want to prove he made the right choice in drafting Williams by giving him as many opportunities as possible.

Derrick Williams is very good at playing away from the ball, unlike Michael Beasley, who occasionally will slack off when he doesn't have the rock.

Beasley also demands the ball too much. Last season, the T-Wolves were short on talent and needed someone to take most of the load. This year, they added Williams and Rubio and cannot give someone that many shots while only shooting 45 percent.

4. He Will Shoot over 40 Percent from Behind the Arc

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 12: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats shoots a free throw while taking on the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the 2011 Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 12, 2011 i

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Last season at Arizona, Derrick Williams shot nearly 57 percent from the three.

This was no fluke, as Williams has great shot selection.

As a rookie, he will easily shoot over 40 percent from downtown while playing both forward positions.

3. Williams Will Be Second on the Team in Both Points and Rebounds

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 26: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a rebound against Jamal Coombs-McDaniel #4 and Charles Okwandu #35 of the Connecticut Huskies during the west regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at

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Kevin Love is still an All-Star, so Williams will have a hard time passing him.

Williams will be the team's second scoring option throughout the season and will collect any rebounds that Love somehow manages to miss.

2. He Will Have Multiple Dunks Named ESPN's Top Plays

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks the over Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim,

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If you watched the Arizona-Duke game this past March, you may have noticed Williams can dunk, and he does it well.

He has already had No. 1 plays during college and was nominated for dunk of the year.

1. He Will Win Rookie of the Year

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Derrick Williams #23 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after defeating the Duke Blue Devils during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California.

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Derrick Williams is as NBA ready as they come and will win rookie of the year. Despite what many believe, he is as well set up to succeed as any rookie out of this class.

Kyrie Irving has nobody to help him in Cleveland, unlike at Duke, where he played with an experienced supporting cast. Enes Kanter has as much depth at his positions at Utah as Williams has at Minnesota, and he may be forced to come off the bench.

Ricky Rubio will also have a good rookie season, but Derrick Williams will reap the benefits of playing with him.

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