Sixteen is very different from fourteen. During those years a skaters body can completely change over one season. Mirai was also never hailed as the next big thing.
Hm..have you lived under a figure skating rock? Mirai was U.S. champion at age 14. And everyone thought she was going to lead the U.S. Women into the next Olympic cycle.
But I guess Mirai just further supports your argument. Bleh.