Stephen Curry is a fascinating prospect because his abilities as a scorer and perimeter shooter are without question, but in order for him to succeed in the NBA he will need to prove the following things:

1. Must be physically strong enough.

2. Needs to have pure point guard capabilities.

3. Score in the paint well enough for defenders to respect it.

4. Effectively defend big point guards.

After watching a substantial amount of film on Curry, I am convinced that he will comfortably address points one, two and four, but number three will take a little time.

His abilities as a scorer are well-documented, but here is the synopsis: Unlimited range and as pure of a shooter to come along in quite a few years.  He is nearly automatic when given even the smallest of slivers to shoot.  His form is picture perfect with great mechanics, smooth release, a perfect amount of arc and rotation, consistent follow-through and a quick trigger.  

Curry shot just 38.7% from beyond the arc during the 2008-09 season, but so many of those shots were closely contested and difficult attempts.  He rarely missed any clean looks from beyond the arc and his range extends to a step or two beyond the professional stripe.  

What might be the most impressive aspect of his jumper is how good of a mid-range game he already has shown.  So many young shooters are only comfortable taking that full shot from distance and feel awkward when they have to take so much off of it from 10-15 feet, but Curry doesn't have that problem whatsoever.

Although his efficiency declines in comparison to when he's spotting up, Curry is able to score off the dribble.  He has a nice step back jumper and is pretty good at the little floaters in the lane, but he is fairly weak physically when he is closely guarded in the paint.  Curry will never be an above the rim kind of penetrator or even a Tony Parker finisher, but he needs at least a little of that ability in order to keep defenders from excessively overplaying his shot.

As a point guard, Curry is far more gifted than he is frequently given credit for.  He has a good imagination that is facilitated by an excellent court vision and a natural sense of the movement of the floor.  He isn't the best creator of offense for others in this draft and isn't a natural passer the way he is a natural shooter, but he is still a very skilled passer, certainly above average, fundamentally sound and sometimes devastatingly brilliant.  

He is at his best as a passer when delivering a lead pass over the defense in transition, which of course tantamount to being an effective point guard in the seven seconds or less system.  He also is very good at selling the defense on fakes with his dribble or eye contact.  Curry is strong with the overhead pass and frequently uses an effective underhand pass with his left.

In terms of converting assists, the difference between Curry's teammates at Davidson and wherever he ends up playing in the NBA will be more dramatic than any other player in the draft.  He didn't have a single teammate who was capable of going up into the air and getting the ball and they even blew countless easy lay-ups on potential assists.  On the other hand, Curry's teammates are less likely to be so wide open as he faced countless double teams and defensive schemes designed to stop him from scoring.  It is a trade Curry will gladly make, however.

Curry's handle is the ability he must work on the most on the offensive end of the floor.  He is pretty good at going east and west, but he lacks the pure explosion and ball control to beat his man past their hip; he usually beats his man when they sell on a fake that he will pull up to shoot or via a savvy change of pace dribble.  He shows some good jukes, whether between his legs or more frequently behind the back, but there is always a feeling that he is walking a tightrope when a quick defender gives him a lot of pressure.  He very rarely will use his body to protect his dribble, which isn't too shocking and will evolve along in time.

His strength and athleticism is a very legitimate concern, but he is clearly has not reached the peak of his physical maturity.  He almost looks like a pre-pubescent freshman playing on the varsity because he is just that good of a basketball player.  That gap will be even wider when he is sharing a floor with Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Chauncey Billups.  It is also a gap that will close fairly quickly when working with NBA strength coaches and nutritionists.  

In terms of basketball athleticism, he uses his natural gifts well, moves fluidly and is more wiry strong than he looks.

Because we're a long ways away from the Derek Harper hand check days, Curry will have no major problems physically on the offensive end.  But this is where he'll struggle defensively.

Curry doesn't have the lateral quickness or strength to defend quite a few NBA point guards like Rose, Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo.  On the Jose Calderon, Mo Williams, T.J. Ford nights, Curry will be plenty adequate defensively.  He has a good IQ on the defensive end, knows how to play good team defense and is simply intuitive.  His effort must increase, which it surely will since he isn't carrying the offensive load the way he did at Davidson.  In terms of high risk, Chris Paul-esque defense, Curry has good hands and should come up with a steal and a half per night as a rookie.

I've been a skeptic of Curry's value as a potential lottery pick, but my concerns have been addressed and he is definitely going to be a starter in the NBA at the point guard position and he will become even more valuable to a team with an off guard or small forward that can take on a lot of ball-handling duties to free him up to spot-up.

Click here to read draft reports on other members of this year's class.