2011 NBA Predictions: Stephen Curry, John Wall & Young Superstars in the Making

Every NBA season, several hungry and exceptionally talented players make the transition from promising youngster to bona fide star. 

Last year it was Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook. The year before, it was Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant.

This season's likely crop of breakout stars includes yet another John Calipari-trained point guard, a frighteningly talented big man and the dude with the best beard in the business.

Here are five young players ready to burst into the pantheon of NBA superstars.

Eric Gordon

It seems odd that a man who averaged 22.3 points per game last season could be underrated, but that's exactly what Eric Gordon is.

The Blake Griffin circus overshadowed Gordon's stellar 2010-11campaign, which saw him post career highs in points, rebounds (2.9) and assists (4.4) per game. He's also made drastic improvements in his defense, and is one of the most competitive players in the league.

Unfortunately, a sprained wrist derailed his breakout season, causing him to miss 26 games.

If Gordon can stay healthy, he will be a dominant force at the 2-guard position. He is a pure scorer and routinely makes plays that maybe 10 players in the league are capable of (like this clutch drive/dunk against the Utah Jazz).

He may not be a household name just yet, but I expect Gordon to be the NBA's best shooting guard within the next few years.

James Harden

James Harden, the third-year shooting guard out of Arizona State, is primed for a breakout season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Harden took on an increased offensive role last season after the Jeff Green-for-Kendrick Perkins trade, and will likely see even more minutes this season. In the past, he has come off the bench behind defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha, but I expect Harden to start after his performance in OKC's extended playoff run.

Harden showed off his natural scoring ability in the postseason, when he established himself as an excellent third option behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. He scored 20 or more points three times in the playoffs, and provided a much-needed spark whenever Westbrook and Durant were struggling.

He fits in beautifully with the Thunder's current personnel and will be a major part of the future of the young dynasty-in-the-making.

He provides the energy and toughness that every contender needs, and his beard alone is capable of dropping 20 points on a given night. If Harden continues to increase his production with more playing time, OKC will have three All-Stars in the very near future.

John Wall

John Wall has been magnificent in the NBA, ever since he Dougied his way into the league back in November. In just his sixth career game, he became the third-youngest player to ever record a triple-double.

Wall finished the season with averages of 16.4 points and 8.3 assists per game. He was also named MVP of the NBA Rookie Challenge game and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind the aforementioned Griffin.

With another year of experience under his belt and a supporting cast tailor-made to fit his skill set, Wall is ready to break into the Rose/Paul/Westbrook/etc. group of elite NBA point guards. I would be thoroughly surprised if he didn't average at least 19 points and nine assists next season.

In a league that is becoming increasingly dominated by point guards, Wall has the ability to be the best. He has world-class athleticism, plus the hunger and work ethic of a kid hell-bent on achieving greatness. I expect him to be an All-Star next season and an MVP in the future.

DeMarcus Cousins

Another Kentucky product, DeMarcus Cousins is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside of an enigmatic 6'11" dude.

Cousins is unbelievably talented, possessing all the tools a dominant big man needs: soft hands, excellent footwork, several go-to post moves, the ability to pass out of a double-team and a bit of a nasty streak.

Unfortunately, that nasty streak also seems to extend off the court, where he has been involved in numerous altercations with coaches and teammates. His perceived immaturity was his only blemish heading into the 2010 NBA Draft, and it has manifested itself several times in his young professional career.

Cousins' numbers of 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game were great. His 14 technical fouls and three ejections? Not so much.

Cousins will be one of the NBA's two or three best power forwards, and probably sooner rather than later. I also believe much of the criticism he faces is unjustly placed upon him.

Players get technical fouls and argue with coaches all the time. But when DeMarcus Cousins does it, the media seems much more interested.

Does he need to grow up a little? Absolutely. But he's 20 years old; have a little patience.

Stephen Curry

The sharpshooting Stephen Curry didn't make a dramatic statistical improvement in his second season, but his ever-improving mastery of the game was on full display.

It's mystifying to watch the skinny point guard operate on the offensive end, where he oozes basketball IQ all over the court. His shooting efficiency (48 percent on field goals, 44.2 percent from three and 93.4 percent on free throws) is unreal. His understanding of timing and angles is incredibly advanced for his age. He scores in every conceivable way, and in some inconceivable ways as well.

Simply put, Curry is an offensive prodigy.

Remember when he schooled Ty Lawson and Chris Anderson? That's a grown-man move right there.

The Warriors have been not-so-secretly shopping Monta Ellis around, which would free up more opportunities for Curry. He averaged 18.6 points and 5.8 assists per game last season, and I expect those numbers to raise substantially if Ellis is indeed gone next season.

Curry's work ethic, pure shooting ability and ingenious basketball mind pretty much guarantee him entry into NBA superstardom in the near future. Next season, look for Curry to earn his first of many All-Star selections.