Bernard James
C, Florida State · 2012 NBA Draft, 2nd round, pick #33 (CLE)
Why he went too high Patterns
Signals in our data that pointed to him being overvalued: pre-draft rankings, availability. Details below.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #71 (#10 at his position); he went #33, 38 spots earlier. Teams were higher on him than the media board was.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 33.8% of the time (272 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 92 games over 3 NBA seasons (~37% of a full 82-game schedule each year).
- Age
27.4 years old on draft night (born 1985-02-07).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 48.6% of the time (138 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Path to the draft
Played college basketball at Florida State.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 53.2% of the time (1,015 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Length
Wingspan 7' 3" at 6' 10" tall (+5.0 in.), per ESPN's draft profile.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (135 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
C (ESPN draft listing).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.1% of the time (182 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
Every line comes from data: Basketball-Reference career data; ESPN's draft profile; Wikidata birth dates. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a bust for him.
Career numbers
| Seasons | 3 |
| Games | 92 |
| Minutes / game | 8.3 |
| Points / game | 2.2 |
| Rebounds / game | 2.3 |
| Assists / game | 0.1 |
| Win Shares (career) | 1.9 |
| VORP | 0.0 |
| Box Plus/Minus | -1.8 |
The 2012 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2012 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Taken 10+ picks before ESPN's rank | 33.8% n=272 | |
| Age 23 or older | 48.6% n=138 | |
| Path to the draft US college | 53.2% n=1,015 | |
| Length +5 in. or more | 51.1% n=135 | |
| Position Center | 51.1% n=182 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 10", 230 lbs |
| Wingspan | 7' 3" |
| Age on draft night | 27.4 |
| Born | Savannah, GA |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #71 overall (#10 C) |
Picked around him 2012 redraft
| 30 | Festus Ezeli | redraft #28 |
| 31 | Jeff Taylor | redraft #40 |
| 32 | Tomáš Satoranský | redraft #16 |
| 34 | Jae Crowder | redraft #8 |
| 35 | Draymond Green | redraft #3 |
| 36 | Orlando Johnson | redraft #38 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 15+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.