With one strong class, the point guard is back

Eric Maynor, Jazz: Well, what do you know, another rookie point guard who has earned the immediate confidence of Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

That, alone, says plenty about last June's 20th overall selection.

When Williams missed two recent games, Maynor stepped in with 13 points and 11 assists against Philadelphia and then 24 points against Cleveland.

There's just something about the Jazz and homegrown point guards.

Darren Collison, Hornets: The plan was a slow go behind Chris Paul for last June's No. 21 pick, but with Paul sidelined by a sprained left ankle, the minutes have arrived sooner than expected.

So far Collison has appeared up to the challenge, including an 18-point game against Portland. While the shot has been off, there still was enough to lead the Hornets to victories over the Clippers and Suns amid the absence of Paul, which is plenty heartening.

Rodrigue Beaubois, Mavericks: While the No. 25 pick lately has been starting at shooting guard alongside Jason Kidd in place of injured Josh Howard, he very much has the look of the team's point guard of the future.

The native of Guadeloupe has the combination of speed and athleticism that have some comparing him to Tony Parker. He has become the first Mavericks rookie to assume a regular spot in the rotation since Howard and Marquis Daniels in 2003-04.

No wonder the Mavericks went to such great lengths to mask their interest leading up to the draft.

Stephen Curry, Warriors: Under any other coach, last June's No. 7 pick would certainly rank higher at his position in this rookie class. But under Don Nelson, Curry has seen his minutes yo-yoed, while also trying to make it work alongside combo guard Monta Ellis.

Through it all, Curry continues to rank among the rookie leaders in almost every measurable statistic, as well as near the very top in shooting and 3-point percentage.

He did become the first Warriors first-round pick to start on opening night since Todd Fuller in 1996.

Soon enough, Nellie will be gone. Then expect Curry's career to take off.

Toney Douglas, Knicks: Among the reasons the Knicks bypassed the opportunity to sign Allen Iverson is the desire to see what they have in last June's No. 29 pick.

Already elevated into the starting lineup, albeit alongside incumbent point guard Chris Duhon, Toney has emerged as a high-volume, high-percentage scorer. In fact, he became the first Knicks rookie in five years with a pair of 20-point games in his first eight outings.

Also: Although currently playing limited minutes, No. 17 pick Jrue Holiday, the youngest player in the NBA, eventually could emerge in Philadelphia amid concerns about whether Lou Williams truly is a point guard. And Jeff Teague, taken at No. 19, showed flashes during the preseason with the Hawks, who envision him potentially taking over for Mike Bibby.

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Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.