Kyrie Irving vs Derrick Williams: Who Showed More Promise?

Monday night marked the NBA debuts of the top two picks in last season's NBA draft in Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams.

Cleveland had a choice to make last summer and chose Irving, but after one game, which is obviously a real small sample size, Round 1 went to Williams.

Both the Cavs and Wolves lost in the debuts of both heralded rookies, but overall Williams showed the more promise.

Irving didn't look like much of the No. 1 overall pick despite getting the start on opening night.

He did have seven assists and only turned the ball over once, but struggled mightily from the field. Irving finished with only six points, three of which came on a meaningless three-pointer at the end of the game.

Overall, he went just 2-for-12 shooting the ball and often looked like a 19-year-old kid who had played only 11 college games for Duke.

He did show promise running the Cavs offense and took care of the basketball, so Cleveland head coach Byron Scott has to be a little encouraged.

Williams, on the other hand, had the better stat line.

He scored 13 points on the evening, shooting a respectable 6-for-14 from the floor. Williams seemed more involved in the game, grabbing six rebounds in his 24 minutes of action.

Williams wasn't great by any means and he missed on all four of his three-point attempts, but comparing the two debuts, he had the better night.

Of course, Irving's job is much tougher running the point for a struggling team, but Willams looked more like he belonged after one game.

These two potential young studs could go back and forth throughout the season and their careers, but after one game, Williams showed more promise.