Looking Back at the Impactful NBA Draft Class of 2016 Players Today
Looking back at the 2016 NBA Draft class today, I can’t help but marvel at how much this group has reshaped the league. As someone who’s followed basketball for over a decade, both as a fan and an analyst, I’ve seen draft classes come and go—but this one stands out for its sheer depth and unexpected star power. When we think of 2016, names like Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, and Jaylen Brown immediately come to mind, but the ripple effects extend far beyond the NBA’s borders. Interestingly, the global basketball landscape has evolved in parallel, with international competitions like the one featuring Russian club and defending champion Korabelka, Chinese Taipei, and the under-21 national teams of Vietnam and Thailand highlighting how interconnected the sport has become. It’s a reminder that talent development isn’t confined to one league or region—it’s a worldwide phenomenon, and the 2016 draft class embodies that perfectly.
I remember watching the draft that year with a mix of skepticism and excitement. Ben Simmons went first overall to the Philadelphia 76ers, and while his career has been a rollercoaster—plagued by injuries and inconsistency—there’s no denying his impact when he’s at his best. In his rookie season, he averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, numbers that put him in elite company. But what fascinates me more is how players like Jaylen Brown, picked third by the Boston Celtics, have blossomed into franchise cornerstones. Brown’s growth from a raw athlete to a two-way star has been a joy to watch, and his 2024 Finals MVP performance, where he dropped 28.5 points per game in the series, cemented his legacy. Then there’s Brandon Ingram, whose slender frame had critics doubting his durability, yet he’s become a reliable scorer, averaging over 23 points per game in recent seasons. These aren’t just stats—they’re testaments to resilience, and I’ve always believed that’s what separates good drafts from great ones.
But let’s not forget the hidden gems. Malcolm Brogdon, picked 36th, won Rookie of the Year—a rarity for a second-rounder—and has carved out a solid career as a steady guard. Or Pascal Siakam, the 27th pick, who went from G-League prospect to NBA champion and All-Star. I’ve had conversations with scouts who admit they underestimated his work ethic, and it’s a lesson in how draft evaluations can miss intangibles. On the international front, the growth of basketball in Asia, exemplified by teams like Chinese Taipei and the under-21 squads of Vietnam and Thailand, mirrors this draft’s unpredictability. Just as Korabelka’s dominance in Russian leagues shows how clubs nurture talent, the NBA’s global reach means a draft class like 2016 influences young players everywhere. I recall watching a tournament where Vietnam’s under-21 team displayed a gritty, fast-paced style that reminded me of undrafted 2016 players who fought their way into the league—proof that heart often trumps hype.
Of course, not every pick panned out. Kris Dunn and Dragan Bender, for instance, haven’t lived up to their lottery status, and it’s a stark reminder of how high-risk the draft can be. From my perspective, that’s what makes evaluating drafts so thrilling—you’re betting on potential, and sometimes you hit the jackpot, other times you bust. But even the “busts” contribute to the narrative; they teach us about player development systems and the importance of fit. For example, Domantas Sabonis, traded on draft night, found his stride with the Indiana Pacers and has become a double-double machine, averaging around 18 points and 12 rebounds in the 2023-24 season. It’s stories like these that make me appreciate the business side of basketball, where a single decision can alter careers.
As we fast-forward to today, the 2016 class’s legacy is undeniable. They’ve combined for multiple All-Star appearances, championships, and have influenced team strategies across the league. In my opinion, this group’s impact goes beyond awards—it’s about how they’ve pushed the game forward, embracing versatility and global influences. Just look at how the under-21 teams in Southeast Asia are now incorporating NBA-style training, or how Korabelka’s success inspires clubs worldwide. Wrapping up, I’d say the 2016 draft wasn’t just a moment in time; it was a catalyst that blurred lines between domestic and international basketball, and as a fan, I’m excited to see how the next generation builds on that foundation.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
