Predicting Which Prospects from 2011 NBA Draft Will Become NBA Stars

Blake Griffin and John Wall were stars as soon as they stepped onto an NBA floor last year.

Expecting that to happen this year is like expecting the NBA to actually have a full or even shortened season at this point. However, that doesn’t mean that 2011 NBA rookie class won't produce any stars.

While this class as a whole has taken on the mantra that is was a draft for depth, which is a nice way of saying that it just wasn’t that good, there are some players that may develop into NBA stars.

It seems like every top prospect has at least one big flaw, but given time and patience, there is a lot of potential here for the next great NBA stars, and here are a few guys that may fit that bill.

1. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Irving played in only 11 games in college, and he was still regarded as the best pro prospect in this draft, as he can do it all.

He can score from anywhere, distribute the ball, is a great defender, has a high basketball I.Q. and he is just an all-around solid player.

The rap on him is that he doesn't do any one thing great, but if any team is going to have a point guard that is as efficient as him, I think they can live without the SportsCenter highlights.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to need to put some talent around him, and as soon as they do, I think he can lead them back into the Eastern Conference conversation.

Remember, Byron Scott was the one who handled Chris Paul; maybe he can work the same magic with Irving. Sure, Mike Dunleavy could have coached Chris Paul and he still would have been a star, but Scott knows what he's doing and will lead him in the right direction.

With his talent, nothing other than his team or lack thereof is going to stop Irving from becoming a star point guard.

2. Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves

Williams is a very good athlete who can really get up and down the floor. He is a good shooter who can hit the three, and most importantly, he is a terrific finisher.

He is, however, a man without a position right now (well, and a job at the moment, really), but if that's his biggest problem, then we really have no big problem.

He is a good enough athlete to play the 3 and 4. If he and the Minnesota Timberwolves can find the right spot for him and Williams doesn't become a defensive liability, as he may not be quick enough to guard the 3 and not big enough to guard the 4, he should adjust to the NBA sooner rather than later.

If he can put on the muscle he needs to supplant himself at the 4, there is no reason he can't have a Blake Griffin-type impact.

Teams will be focusing on stopping Kevin Love, which will free up Williams, and if Ricky Rubio is everything he is cracked up to be and can get the ball to Williams on the fly, where he excels, the sky is the limit for this kid.

3. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors

For a team that needed help everywhere, the Toronto Raptors believe so much in this guy that they were willing to wait a full year (of losing, no doubt) so that they could get this kid.

Valanciunas can get up and down the floor, rebound and has a soft touch, which helps him flourish in the post. His unique skill set, combined with his 7'0" frame, is something that can be molded into a star in the NBA given time.

He, just like most European players, is not strong enough yet, but if he develops the strength and improves on his perimeter game, the sky could be the limit for this kid.

4. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

Last year's tournament darling finished off a terrific offensive year by leading the Connecticut Huskies to a championship.

Walker is an explosive athlete with superb quickness, an elite scorer who most importantly is a winner. His knock is that he is undersized and doesn't have a true position, but that worked for Allen Iverson, so we know it can be done.

A big reason why he may become a star is because of the team that drafted him. The Charlotte Bobcats are, well—they're not good right now. Walker is expected to come in and be one of the team's top scorers, if not the top scorer, next year.

If he proves that he can handle the scoring load and the Bobcats end up building around him a la Iverson, with his heart and his clutch ability, I sure wouldn't bet against him. I did in the tournament and won't ever again.

5. Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento Kings

As far as non-basketball related sports teams go, the Denver Broncos have to be the ones eagerly awaiting the start of the NBA season so that the focus of whether or not a certain college star can play at the next level will shift back to Jimmer Fredette.

Jimmer can score from literally everywhere; he is an explosive offensive player with a terrific crossover. He is a smart player who can create space not only with strength and quickness, but he knows how to get open. Everything he did last year was remarkable and fun to watch. However, it was against college players, and now, he is going to have to step it up a notch.

Jimmer is a man without a position right now, and no one is sure yet if he is going to be able to do the things he was doing last year, as we're not sure if he will be quick or strong enough to play against NBA players. Plus, we are not sure how he is going to be able to defend anyone one on one in the NBA either.

That said, if Jimmer can develop a few things, there is no stopping him from becoming a star in this league.

If he can create space and be able to get his own shot up, as we know range won't be a problem, he is going to be able to put up a lot of points.

If he can learn how to play the point guard position and become a pass-first player paired with his shooting ability, he will become a lethal point guard.

If he becomes at least an above-average defender, paired with the other two "ifs," he will become a star player in this league.

Quite a few "ifs," and while he may end up being nothing more than a sixth man in this league, the potential is certainly there.

If he can do these things and keep shooting the ball from five feet behind the three-point line and making highlight-reel plays, then the road to stardom is paved.

6. Marshon Brooks, New Jersey Nets

The NBA makes stars out of its scorers, and Marshon Brooks can certainly light it up.

One of the most important aspects of any rookie is what team ends up taking him. He got selected by the right team to become a contributor.

Imagine if Deron Williams bolts and the New Jersey Nets don't replace him. By year two, Brooks may be able to fire 20 shots a night. If he can hit at least 45 percent of them, we're looking at a 20-plus-points-per-game player.

If Brooks develops a consistent three-point shot, and he gets a chance to show what he can do, he has all the tools to become a very good player in this league.

If I'm picking anyone outside the lottery to become a star in this league, it's Brooks.