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I still remember sitting in my living room on June 23, 2016, watching the Barclays Center lights shine down on a fresh crop of NBA hopefuls. As someone who's covered basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed this peculiar habit of comparing draft classes to relationships—some are whirlwind romances that fizzle quickly, while others grow into lifelong partnerships. The 2016 class felt like meeting someone you'd known forever, that strange familiarity that reminds me of how certain players' careers seem to mirror each other from the very beginning. It's fascinating how basketball connections form, much like how some athletes have known each other since childhood and followed nearly identical paths to stardom, creating these parallel narratives that make draft analysis so compelling.

When Ben Simmons' name was called first that night, I'll admit I had my reservations. The LSU product had that rare combination of size and court vision we hadn't seen since LeBron, but something about his offensive game worried me. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his lone college season—numbers that screamed superstar—yet I couldn't shake the feeling he'd struggle to adapt. Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram at number two seemed like the safer bet with his Kevin Durant-esque frame and smoother shooting stroke. What struck me most about that top five was how each player represented different team-building philosophies. The Celtics, picking third, went with Jaylen Brown—a decision many questioned at the time but looks brilliant in hindsight. I've always believed draft success isn't just about picking the best player, but the right player for your system, and Boston nailed it.

Looking back at my big board from that year, I had Jamal Murray ranked higher than most at number four, though he ultimately went seventh to Denver. His progression reminds me of those UAAP stars who follow identical development paths—players who grow together, push each other, and somehow end up at similar career points despite different routes. Murray's partnership with Nikola Jokic didn't happen overnight; it was this gradual building of chemistry that reminds me of childhood teammates reuniting in professional leagues. The Raptors selecting Jakob Poeltl at nine was another fascinating case—a solid rotational big who filled a specific need, yet I remember thinking they'd regret passing on Domantas Sabonis, who went eleventh to Orlando before being traded to Oklahoma City.

The middle of the first round contained what I like to call "value picks"—selections that don't generate headlines but often determine a franchise's depth. Miami taking Bam Adebayo at fourteen was pure Pat Riley—finding toughness and versatility where others saw limitations. I'd actually projected Adebayo to go around twenty, so credit to Miami's scouting for recognizing his potential earlier than most. Then there was Caris LeVert at twenty to Indiana (traded to Brooklyn), whose medical reports had many teams nervous but whose talent was undeniable. In these situations, I always lean toward betting on skill—if a player can play, you find ways to manage the risks.

What made the 2016 second round particularly intriguing were those late discoveries that make scouts either look brilliant or foolish. Malcolm Brogdon going thirty-sixth to Milwaukee was my favorite steal of the draft—a four-year college player with proven leadership and efficiency. I'd interviewed him before the draft and came away convinced he'd outperform his draft position, though even I didn't anticipate him winning Rookie of the Year. Then there's the curious case of Ivica Zubac at thirty-two to the Lakers—a player many had pegged as a first-round talent who somehow slipped. These second-round successes often share that quality of having been overlooked for various reasons, yet possessing that fundamental understanding of the game that can't be taught.

Seven years later, the 2016 class has proven deeper than many anticipated. While it lacks the top-tier superstars of some drafts, its strength lies in the number of quality starters and rotational players it produced. From my perspective, what makes this class special isn't just the talent, but how these players' careers have intertwined—the rivalries, the team changes, the development arcs that continue to evolve. It's that same connection we see when athletes rise through ranks together, their stories forever linked regardless of where their professional journeys take them. The 2016 draft taught me that sometimes the most valuable players aren't the most hyped, but those with the resilience and adaptability to grow within team systems. And in today's NBA, that quality might just be the most valuable asset of all.