A number of NBA experts were quick to label the 2009 NBA Draft as a “weak” draft. However, several rookies are showing nothing but brilliance at the start of the 2009-2010 NBA season and could have a lot more to offer than many had thought. While Blake Griffin, the rookie everyone thought would win the Rookie of the Year award hands down is out for the next six-to-eight weeks, several other youngsters are making strong cases.

1. PG Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks
Nobody had a clue how Jennings would perform this season. He opted for Europe over college (although poor academics might have had something to do with that, too) and didn’t see consistent minutes in a foreign land. Thought to be talented, but unpolished, Jennings has every opportunity to shine on a talent-depleted Bucks squad. He hasn’t disappointed, averaging 20.5 ppg, 5.5 rbpg, 6.0 apg, 1.5 spg, while shooting a whopping 51.6% from the field in his first two games. Granted, he’s only gone up against sub-par teams in the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers, but he’s looking very polished early on.

2. G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry is a smarter, more unselfish player than fellow guard, Monta Ellis, and he’s already predicted that he’ll win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. While that remains to be seen, he’s certainly gotten off to a solid start with 13.0 ppg, 5.5 apg and 2.5 spg, while shooting 57% from the field in his first two games. Coach Don Nelson loves this kid, so no matter what happens with that strange Golden State Warriors rotation, it’s difficult to imagine that Curry won’t get minutes.

3. F DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs
Blair dropped like a rock in last June’s NBA draft. He was thought to be a top 15 pick, but the Spurs were able to nab him with the 37th pick overall. In his first three games, in only 20 minutes a night, he’s averaging 8.3 ppg, 8.3 rbpg and shooting 70% from the field. That includes an opening night performance of 14 points, 11 rebounds.

4. F Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
Casspi has been a find for the Kings, averaging 10.3 ppg in his first four games, while shooting a whopping 58% from the field. While he needs to get stronger, there’s no denying Casspi’s scoring talent.

5. GF Terrence Williams, New Jersey Nets
Williams has been true to his scouting reports. He’s extremely athletic and versatile, but needs to work on his shot. He’s averaging a solid 10.8 ppg and 5.0 rbpg in his first four games, but he’s only shooting 37% from the field. He’ll have time to correct that and earn minutes with the Nets struggling early with an 0-4 start.

6. PG Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
He’s short, and his jump shot has come into question in the past, but he’s played well in his first three games, averaging 10.7 ppg to go along with 3.3 apg in just 21 minutes a night. That’s pretty darn good considering he’s backing up veteran Chauncey Billups. Lawson has a long way to go to becoming a starting point guard in the NBA, but he’s proving that his college experience has given him a leg up against other rookies.

7. PG Jonny Flynn, Minnesota Timberwolves
While Flynn’s turnovers leave much to be desired (3.8 per game), he’s shown an ability to score 14.8 per game in four games. He’s also nabbed 1.5 steals per game, and has gotten to the line 5.0 times per game with an accuracy of 90%. That being said, he hasn’t shown the ability to run a team, and many wonder if Ramon Sessions might soon take over the starting point guard spot in Minnesota.

8. GF DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
While he’s not red-hot at this point, he’s doing a solid job in Toronto in only 20 mpg, averaging 7.3 ppg and 4.3 rbpg. The sky’s the limit for this kid and as the Raptors continue to find its identity, DeRozan will have several opportunities to find his niche with this team.

9. FG Chase Budginer, Houston Rockets
Budinger was a steal for the Rockets, falling all the way to the 44th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He’s averaging 9.3 ppg in just 15 minutes per night in his first four games.

Blake Griffin would certainly make this list had he not fallen to the “Clipper’s Curse,” getting injured so early in the season. He’ll be back in about five to six weeks, so look out.