2011 NBA Draft Grades: Best Potential Player at Each Position

A very limited number of exceptionally talented players declared themselves eligible for the 2011 NBA Draft. The 2012 NBA Draft promises to be one of the deepest in recent history and fans that had teams botch or trade away picks this year are already looking forward to it.

But let’s keep our eyes on the talent from this year's draft and see who has the potential to be the best player at their position in the draft class. There are a number of players at each position (besides center) that have the potential to be contributors in the league and I am going to do my best to pinpoint three that I feel we will see an NBA rotation for years to come.

Click ahead to see the best player at each position coming out of this class, the runner-up, and someone who could be surprisingly effective.

Point Guard

Best: Kyrie Irving

Runner Up: Brandon Knight

Sleeper: Darius Morris

Kyrie Irving went No. 1 overall in a draft that some scouts called two players deep. He has all the skills to be a great point man in the NBA and should be a cornerstone for the Cavaliers. Brandon Knight surprisingly fell down to Detroit at eighth overall and may be playing with a chip on his shoulder. Darius Morris landed with his hometown Lakers in the second round and has a good mix of size, shooting, and court vision that could see him starting for the Lakeshow eventually.

Shooting Guard

Best: Klay Thompson

Runner Up: Alec Burks

Sleeper: MarShon Brooks

Klay Thompson is an old-school throwback shooting guard with size, adequate ball handling and passing ability, and out of this world range. He should be a great fit for the Warriors. Alec Burks is the prototypical 2-guard in the NBA today and has amazing athleticism and ability to get to the hoop. MarShon Brooks can score with the best of them and if he improves his attitude could be a solid player for the Nets.

Small Forward

Best: Derrick Williams

Runner Up: Kawhi Leonard

Sleeper: Jan Vesely

I know what you are thinking, how is Jan Vesely a sleeper when he was selected sixth overall? But honestly, how many of these European guys actually pan out. In my mind he is a sleeper because no one believes in him. Derrick Williams is the hands down best prospect in this draft at the position and will succeed with the Timberwolves if they can clear the logjam at his position. Kawhi Leonard will be a very good fit with the Spurs. He landed in a good spot after being traded by Pacers who initially selected him.

Power Forward

Best: Bismack “B-Smack the Business” Biyombo

Runner Up: Tristan Thompson

Sleeper: Kenneth Faried

No surprise here if you have read my stuff on Biyombo prior to the draft. I think he may be one of the best defensive power forwards to ever play the game based on his video footage, interviews, and measureables. He is absolutely awful offensively but a jumper is one of the easiest things to develop in a young prospect. Tristan Thompson surprised everyone by going fourth overall to the Cavaliers and I don’t think he is as good as advertised. He should still be a solid player and will definitely log minutes on an awful team. Kenneth Faried is my ‘sleeper’ here but anyone who has seen him knows he has an incredible motor and pulls down any board in his vicinity. He has the potential to be a better scoring, less athletic Biyombo.

Center

Best: Enes Kanter

Runner Up: Jonas Valanciunas

Sleeper: Jeremy Tyler

Center is the weakest position by far in the 2011 NBA Draft, and in the league in general right now. Smaller guys are getting more athletic and it seems that the seven footers aren’t catching up to them. Kanter has exceptional size and mass for an NBA center and if he proves to be athletic enough, should be a solid player in the league for years to come. Jonas Valanciunas, if and when he comes to the NBA, should bang around with the best of them for boards and points in the paint. He will pair well with fellow Euro big man Andrea Bargnani. Jeremy Tyler is the dark horse here, as the Warriors took a second -round flier on the high risk prospect who has played two years overseas and has lottery potential. 

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For more 2011 NBA draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for NBA draft results and NBA draft grades.