NBA 2011-2012: Derrick Williams and the Top 6 NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates

The NBA lockout has finally ended after the longest 149 days of sports' fans lives. This now means that we can drop all of the negotiating crap and start talking about the fun stuff like the game itself. After months of talking about everything but basketball, it was really beginning to take a toll on the fans.

We can now talk about basketball knowing that there will be a season and the first thing is the NBA rookies. Who will win Rookie of the Year in this shorter 66 game season?

Will it be a favorite that everybody expects or will it be a sleeper that may end up getting more playing time due to an injury to a key player?

Here are the top candidates for NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2011-2012 season.

Honorable Mentions

Detroit PG Brandon Knight

Knight is extremely talented but he plays for a Pistons team that isn't expected to win many games. He is a clutch player that has very explosive scoring ability but he is very turnover prone and sometimes forces a ton of unnecessary shots. I like Knight as a player for the future but he has a lot to prove before he becomes a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Minnesota PG Ricky Rubio

Rubio will finally make his way to the NBA after a long anticipated journey. Rubio was considered a top point guard but after playing in Barcelona I have my doubts. He struggled mightily over there and only averaged six points per game. He has to get much bigger and work on his post defense if he expects to make an impact at this level. Rubio will be productive but not sure he'll be special enough this quickly to win the ROY.

Golden State SG Klay Thompson

You put one of the top pure shooters on a young, athletic team like Golden State that scores a ton of points and you may have a deadly combination. He averaged 22 points last season at Washington State and can put up points quickly with his long range ability. He isn't exactly a big name rookie but could have a huge impact for the Warriors this season.

Houston PF Marcus Morris

This is my sleeper pick.

Morris has a chance to win the award because he has a chance to see a lot of time due to the lack of depth the Rockets have at the forward position. The Big 12 player of the year averaged 17 points and seven rebounds for the Kansas Jayhawks last season.

He is trimming down to where he'll be able to play small forward even though that isn't his true position. Morris will be able to contribute right away and help spread the floor as he is one of the most NBA-ready players in this entire class.

Charlotte PG Kemba Walker

Walker should see plenty of playing time since the Bobcats have traded away backup point guard Shaun Livingston. He will still have to beat out D.J. Augustin for the starting position, but would you bet against this guy?

Walker has the heart of a lion and the determination to succeed like no other. He led the UConn Huskies on one of the greatest tournament runs in NCAA history and won't be denied when he's on the court.

He isn't a true point guard but he is extremely quick and a flat out scorer. That's exactly what this struggling Bobcats team needs and he should provide a lot of points.

Utah C Enes Kanter

Kanter has all of the tools to be great but playing on a Utah team that is deep with big men, he'll have to earn playing time unlike other candidates on this list. Although he was the No. 3 pick in the draft so you can bet the Jazz will find ways to put him on the floor.

He has excellent size at 6'11", 259 pounds and solid athleticism. He has a great offensive game and a extremely high basketball IQ.

If he can stay healthy, the Jazz not only have a solid player but possibly the rookie of the year.

Cleveland PG Kyrie Irving

Irving will likely become the starter on a Cleveland team that lacks talent particularly at the guard position. He is a true point guard and has all of the tools to become one of the next great play-callers but the lack of playing time in college may hurt him.

He only played eight games at Duke and jumped straight to the NBA. Irving is a great playmaker and has very good quickness but I question just how NBA-ready he is with the lack of experience at the collegiate level.

Regardless, he is talented and was the No.1 overall pick, he has to be a candidate.

Sacramento PG Jimmer Fredette

One of the things that wins voters and fans over is a high scoring average and Fredette has that going for him. The kid can simply shoot the lights out of the gym and knocks shots down from anywhere on the floor with his unbelievable and unlimited range.

He is very tough and physical and has an extremely high basketball IQ. I do worry about his shaky defense but if he'll be able to average near 20 points a game that really won't matter.

Fredette fits in well with a young and athletic Sacramento team and I expect him to make a strong case for the award.

Minnesota PF Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams will be just another piece to a young but talented Minnesota team. He is probably the most NBA-ready player in this entire draft class.

He has the ability to get dirty in the post and rebound with the best of them, but what makes this big man special is his shooting. Last season at Arizona he shot 59 percent from the field and 56 percent from beyond he arc. 

Williams is the overwhelming favorite to win this award and if he fulfills the expectations many have for him, he will.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]