Now that the 2016 NBA Draft Board is in the history books, it’s time to grade the Sixer Sense Mock 2016 Draft Board
It’s history. Once that phrase is uttered, all prognostication stops and the forecasters scatter like the wind. But I am no such creature.
Three months ago, I dared to utter the magic phrase “Mock 2016 Draft Board“, and in that statement, I placed my reputation on the line for public examination.
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Before NCAA prospects could enter and abandon hopes of an NBA Draft, I made my mock draft public. Before many international prospects would toss their hat into the ring, I made my prediction.
Now I am happy to examine that March mindset in the public eye…
Now, keep in mind that this was a mock draft before the combine, the workouts, the public release of medical concerns, and all of the rapid rumors that flew around in the days leading up to the draft. So the scoring is simple. 5 points for the right player at the right slot. 3 points for the right player within five spots of actual selection. Finally 1 point for the right player selected in the first round. With a possible perfect score of 150 points for round one, and a risk of scoring nothing, I will project a score of 75 should place me into the hall of mock draft respectability.
With this in mind, let’s see how I did:
Next: With the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Ben Simmons Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Ben Simmons
While many see this as a gimme, at the time of my mock, this was just a little better than 60 percent in the camp of Ben Simmons. The fanbase was perched on the fence between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, with many leaning towards the more obvious fit of Ingram on a team that truly needed back court help.
But the potential of Ben Simmons was undeniable, and it is that potential to become an elite player in the NBA which attracted the Philadelphia 76ers to this young man. And so, I placed him atop my Mock Draft board, and that began my mock perfectly.
Next: With the second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Brandon Ingram Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Brandon Ingram
This was actually the easier of the two picks. Knowing that many saw this as a two player draft, as soon as I correctly predicted Ben Simmons at number one, the selection of Brandon Ingram at number two is as close to a gimme as there was in this draft.
But even that was not a certainty. There were numerous rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers were impressed by the shooting of Buddy Hield, and that he had grown to be competitive for the Lakers selection.
In the end, Ingram won out and that preserved by perfect Mock Draft through the second pick
Next: With the third pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Jaylen Brown Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Jaylen Brown
If there was any doubts in anyone’s mind whether I have any business making mock draft predictions, this selection should eliminate any trace of that. I saw the “wow” factor in this young man from California long before he worked out for the Boston Celtics . And yes, it was a bold move to predict the Celtics would sit on the pick and bring another competitor to their back court situation.
But bold never gets old, but it does keep my mock draft perfect through the first three picks.
Next: With the fourth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Jamal Murray Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Dragan Bender
Well here is my first blemish at pick four. But it wasn’t a complete whiff, as I have Bender going in the very next pick, and the actual spot for Jamal Murray was just three spots later.
The Phoenix Suns fooled me here. I truly expected them to move from this spot in the hope of a veteran front court player (i.e. the Philadelphia 76ers front court surplus) and find another team selecting Murray at this spot.
But where my bold courage landed me in the few and the proud at the third spot, I slid a little here.
Still, it was good enough for 3 points, I am already at 18 points. Can I keep up this pace?
Next: With the fifth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Dragan Bender Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Kris Dunn
In any mock draft, once you miss on one player’s position, it’s awfully difficult to right the ship the rest of the way. So it’s not surprise that missing Bender at four (versus my projection of five) has thrown of the next pick as well.
I knew that the Timberwolves would be seeking a compliment to their young core. If Bender was there, it would have been intriguing to see if they paired Bender with Karl Anthony Towns. But he was not, so they paired Dunn with Andrew Wiggins
I missed by one spot. My score is up to 21.
Next: With the sixth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Wade Baldwin IV Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Buddy Hield
This was my first true miss, to an extent. Since my mock was done so early, I missed the late rise of Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield as the draft approached. Hield benefited from playing four years of college ball, and translating that maturity onto the basketball court.
I expected Baldwin’s performance in the NCAA tournament to carry more weight into the NBA draft. While he did go in the first round, he fell to 17. Still, that qualifies for one point. I’m up to 22.
Next: With the seventh pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Kris Dunn Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Jamal Murray
The longer into a mock draft, the harder it is to retain accuracy. In this case, Dunn actually was off the board two picks earlier.
The Nuggets went to the back court as I had believed they would, and had Dunn been here, he would have been the selection. But this was not a complete miss, as I was close enough to return to a move favorable score for this projection.
My near miss is good enough for 3 more points. I am up to 25 points here. Not bad.
Next: With the eighth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Buddy Hield Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Marquisse Chriss
I didn’t have Marquese Chriss in my top 30 in March 2016, despite the fact that he played locally for the University of Washington. While he was drafted here by the Sacramento Kings, he will be traded to the Phoenix Suns on July 1st.
I predicted Hield here, and he went off the board two spots earlier. That keeps me in the good graces of a partial correct, which gives me another 3 points. I am at 28 now.
Next: With the ninth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Skal Labissiere Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Jakob Poeltl
Knowing that the Toronto Raptors would be selecting at the nine spot, I anticipated correctly that they would be choosing to augment their front court. Unfortunately, Labissiere’s stock plummeted on draft night, as he was eventually selected at 28.
That was a miss on my part, but not for lack of effort. I do manage to squeak a point out, which brings me up to 29 points so far.
Next: With the tenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Jakob Poeltl Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Thon Maker
I knew that center Jakob Poeltl would go in this range, but as he came off the board just one spot earlier, the Milwaukee Bucks found themselves mesmerized by the workout videos of power forward Thon Maker.
Thon Was not yet on my radar, so I didn’t anticipate his selection. To be honest, he was on nobody’s radar in March 2016. It was this pick which sent most mock draft’s careening into different directions. But I did guess Poeltl’s popularity, good for another 3 points. I am at 32 points in the top ten. It will become much harder for the rest of the way.
Next: With the eleventh pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Deytona Davis Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Domantas Sabonis
I guessed Deytona Davis here, and the power forward from Michigan State simply fell out of the first round, only to be gobbled up at the first pick of round two.
But I set a high standard for scoring, and since that was not within five spots of the eleventh pick. I receive no points for this pick. This selection was originally made by the Orlando Magic, but they traded the pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
My score stays at 32.
Next: With the twelfth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Denzel Valentine Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Taurean Prince
I was close. I knew the Utah Jazz would look at either the two or three position to bolster in the first round. In missing here, Valentine slid two places and was selected at 14. I had guessed that Prince would go at 17.
Close enough for another 3 points. I am at 35.
Next: With the thirteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Demetrius Jackson Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Georgios Papagiannis
Another whiff on my part. I expected the selection of Notre Dame Point guard Demetrius Jackson, who instead fell to the middle of the second round. Instead, the Phoenix Suns picked up a Greek center by the name of Georgios Papagiannis and traded him off to the Sacramento Kings.
I feared the absence of front court talent may shuffle the deck somewhat. My score remains unchanged. At the twelfth pick, I stand at 35 points.
Next: With the fourteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Henry Ellenson Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Denzel Valentine
I truly did not have any clue to the trade which sent Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks. Knowing that would have changed my outlook for this pick. But, such is the peril of putting up that early draft board.
Ellenson came off the board soon, at 18, so this prediction had some merit to it. In fact, it was good for another three points and I am back on track. 38 points at 13 picks for me.
Next: With the fifteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Damian Jones Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Juan Hernangomez
Once more, I anticipated the success of the 2016 NCAA championship to translate into a positive impact in the ensuing NBA draft, but the results proved otherwise. My guess for Vanderbilt center Damian Jones to come off here was just 15 picks too soon.
The correct selection was Juan Hernangomez, a young power forward from Spain who gained in popularity as the ensuing NBA draft approached. I didn’t see that coming. But one more point for me and I am at 39 points at the half way mark.
Next: With the sixteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Stephen Zimmerman Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Guerschon Yabusele
Viva La France! The Celtics simply were showing off at this point, as many had this man projected as a second round draft and stash. But the Celtics saw something worth grabbing at the 16 spot that few, if any, others did.
And why not? They had a lot of picks to use and may simply have lost track – naming the first prospect whose name they could recall under podium pressure. In any case, I didn’t see it.
I saw Stephen Zimmerman, who DID fall to the second round. In the process, shutting me out of any points here.
Next: With the seventeenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Taurean Prince Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Wade Baldwin IV
I had Wade Baldwin IV coming off much earlier in the draft, and for good reason. As point guard of Vanderbilt, he led his team to the top of the NCAA championship, and did it with a smile on his face the entire time. I truly believe the Memphis Grizzlies got tremendous value here.
I had projected small forward Taurean Prince lasting until this spot. He came off sooner at 12, but not before earning me three more points.
I shoot up to 42 and we’ve still many picks to compare.
Next: With the eighteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Malcolm Brogdon Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Henry Ellenson
I saw this spot as the occasion for shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon from Virginia to come off the board, which did not happen until the 6th pick of the second round. Instead, the Detroit Pistons grab themselves a power forward I had projected coming off the board at 14, Henry Ellenson.
The Pistons selected a worthy four, someone who should be able to hold his own on an NBA basketball court. But he is raw, and as such there were some questions about his draft position. I emphasized his size and talent a tad more than the NBA did.
But Brogdon’s fall truly surprised me. While he had some pieces to work on, he did boast a well rounded game in both offense and defense. His drawback was quickness. And so I fail to grab any points with this spot.
Next: With the nineteenth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Brice Johnson Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Malik Beasley
One complication of mocking this 2016 NBA Draft was the frequency of NBA teams selecting with multiple picks. The Denver Nuggets selected three times in the first round of this draft, and by all accounts had the leeway to select either best player available or best fit.
Having selected Jamal Murray at 7, the Nuggets found another back court prospect who could push for playing minutes this year. Beasley was a solid selection here. Unfortunately, the back court had plenty of prospects of similar talent, and I simply did not expect Beasley so high.
My prediction, Brice Johnson, actually was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers. While I want desperately to garner a three point for this miss, I can only claim one as I missed it by six spots.
I am to 42.
Next: With the twentieth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Ivan Rabb Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Caris LeVert
Once more, the early mock did me in. I had hopes that California forward Ivan Rabb would be available for the 2016 NBA draft, but he returned to the NCAA and let me with no points at this spot.
Instead, the Indiana Pacers selected Michigan shooting guard Caris LeVert. LeVert has a history of injury to his left leg and foot, and I tried to factor that into my mock. The Indiana Pacers must have been satisfied with the medical history, as they tap LeVert to join their impressive roster.
42 I am.
Next: With the twenty-first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Melo Trimble Actual 2016 NBA Draft: DeAndre’ Bembry
Once more, the hope of a draft pick failed to happen, as I anticipated the draft of Maryland’s Melo Trimble. Trimble passed on the NBA draft this year, which left an opening for the drafting of shooting guard DeAndre’ Bembry by the Atlanta Hawks.
Bembry was drafted on the high end of his projection, but will bring a solid well rounded game to the NBA. His Achilles heel is his perimeter and free throw accuracy, both of which are easily improved in the NBA.
But my scored did not improve. 42 I stay
Next: With the twenty-second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Furkan Korkmaz Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Malachi Richardson
At 22, the Charlotte Hornets set their sights on Malachi Richardson, a shooting guard from Syracuse University. While I projected the correct position here, I anticipated the Hornets would select Furkan Korkmaz.
It’s ironic that my mock found this slide of Korkmaz to be the biggest attractor of negative commentary. And yet, on draft night, Korkmaz would slide even further.
The fact that Korkmaz was selected nearby places me back in the positive. I am up to 45.
Next: With the twenty-third pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Juan Hernangomez Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Ante Zizic
On draft night, it felt as though Danny Ainge did not truly plan to make many of the Boston Celtic’s picks in the 2016 NBA Draft. Zizic was one such player. While he has the right dimensions to play as an NBA center, the young man seems more skilled for the European league than the more physical NBA.
Meanwhile, I predicted Hernangomez at 23, but he was already long gone at 15. Still, that’s good enough for another point. at 46 points at the 23rd pick. Still respectable.
Next: With the twenty-fourth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Dwayne Bacon Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Timothe Luwawu
One more NCAA prospect left me standing at the draft altar, this time it was Florida State University’s small forward Dwayne Bacon. Knowing this would be a Philadelphia 76ers selection, I expected the team to go small forward here. But Bacon chose not to be available, and instead the 76ers chose the top rated two-way wing player in this draft.
I did not uncover Luwawu until my second mock, and even then I never anticipated he would fall to the 76ers at 24. He did, and this it likely one of the best value picks in this draft.
I however, land nothing here and remain at 46 points.
Next: With the twenty-fifth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Diamond Stone Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Brice Johnson
Well here we are in the final picks of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, and in this neighborhood it’s awfully difficult to earn points. My guess was for Maryland center Diamond Stone to come off the board at 25. What actually transpired was North Carolina’s power forward Brice Johnson came off here.
I had guessed Johnson would go sooner, so I see the Clippers as gaining some value in this pick.
But me? No value at all. I stay at 46 points.
Next: With the twenty-sixth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Domantas Sabonis Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Furkan Korkmaz
I saw a tumble for Gonzaga’s power forward Domantas Sabonis in the first round that never materialized. As a result, I failed once more to maximize my predictions. Sabonis came off the board at 11, while I had hime projected to fall to the Philadelphia 76ers at 26.
What did happen is the Philadelphia 76ers found shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz, a young man I had painfully projected to fall to 22. Painfully, because I was challenged in expecting Korkmaz to fall to 22 by many readers. Korkmaz is another player who has tremendous value at their position, but even moreso their skillsets fall directly on the bullseye of what the team needs moving forward. So much so, in fact, that I expect the team will keep both Luwawe and Korkmaz on the roster for this season.
I do get a point for my Sabonis prediction. I am up to 47 points.
Next: With the twenty-seventh pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Cheick Diallo Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Paskal Siakam
Toronto Raptors selected Pascal Siakam at 27, a power forward many anticipated would return to the NCAA after declaring for the draft. Even the official NBA draft scouting report indicated this. He didn’t and he is now a Toronto Raptor.
I expected Cheick Diallo here, the Kansas center who was selected 33rd overall. So close and so far. 47 points.
Next: With the twenty-eighth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Grayson Allen Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Skal Labissiere
I foretold Duke’s guard Grayson Allen coming off the board at 28, but Allen threw me a curve and returned to the NCAA. Instead, the Phoenix Suns grab another power forward, Skal Labissiere, to compete with Dragan Bender. In this occasion, however, Labissierre is moving to the Sacramento Kings along with center Georgios Pappagiannis as compensation for the 8 pick Marquese Chriss.
I had expected Labissiere to be the top rated center in the draft, but his talents were perceived to be far too raw to fit the bill as a lottery pick. stuck at 47.
Next: With the twenty-ninth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Tyler Ulis Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Dejounte Murray
I suspected a point guard would be the target of the San Antonio Spurs at 29, and I merely missed the player. While I remain suprised by the Spurs passing on Tyler Ulis here, they instead opted for Dejounte Murray. Murray has a good defense, and his size at 6-foot-5 is nice in the point. However, he stuggles with decisions, and with his perimeter shooting.
I saw Ulis going here, and was not far off the mark with his coming off the board at 33. That is good enough for 3 points for me and places me up to 50.
Next: With the thirtieth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft...
My Prediction: Caris Levert Actual 2016 NBA Draft: Damian Jones
And at the 30th pick of the 2016 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors threw a curve and elected Vanderbilt big man, Damian Jones. Jones is a rim protector, a big young man whose specialty is rejecting shots, and area which the Warriors are looking to bolster after Andrew Bogut‘s injury in the championship series.
Since this is the Warriors, I could only see their focus on adding more to the army of guards on the team, projecting Levert to the team. LeVert came off the board 10 picks earlier.
Still, I get a point for my prediction. That lands me at 51 points.
How’d I do?
Well, compared to last year’s draft, I would have landed eighth with 3 correct picks. While that sounds relatively easy to do, keep in mind that this mock occurred before NCAA prospects declared and could opt out of the NBA draft.
Next: Why Philadelphia 76ers Should Expect All Draft Picks to Play This Year
So, overall, I am quite pleased with my first public effort. It ended up being a good night for the Philadelphia 76ers. That means it was a good night for me as well.