Advertisement - scroll for more content
Ace Bailey Rumors
Hardy said the team “wasn’t able to see (Bailey) as much as we would like” as a result of a hip flexor injury that kept the 19-year-old sidelined for all but two games of summer league. Of course, Bailey also needs to adapt to the NBA’s more grueling schedule, just as any player does. “For Ace, first and foremost, it’s going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That’s practice, shootaround, games, but it’s going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don’t have to think that much,” Hardy said.
Speaking at a clinic for local coaches, Will Hardy made his first public comments since the Jazz took Ace Bailey with the fifth pick in the NBA draft. Naturally, how the Jazz coach would integrate his team’s newest star prospect was top of mind. “On the court, offensively, it’s going to be a little bit of playing without the ball, moving around. I think Ace showed he was really active in summer league. He’s a good cutter. He can play in off-ball screens,” Hardy said. “And then defensively, while his body is continuing to get stronger, it’s going to be about using his length, because I think that is a real strength of his right now. I think that’s how he can survive on the defensive end right now.”
“For Ace, first and foremost, it’s going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That’s practice, shootaround, games, but it’s going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don’t have to think that much,” Hardy said.
Dwyane Wade: Getting a young guy like Ace Bailey, the talent that he has, you cannot pass him up, y'all. Like, there's no way. Even though the rumor mill was saying that he wanted to go to certain teams, there's no way you can pass him up, right? He's too talented. He's one of those he's one of those guys that just walk in the gym and he can get you 30. He just he's just one of those Melo-type of score-type of players, right? And so you had to get him. And so I thought Denny and you know and the staff did an amazing job of grabbing a young fella. And then we all know what we heard from a media standpoint, but ultimately, the young man and his family made their way down to Utah and he seemed excited to be there. He got right to the court.
Advertisement
Tom Orsborn: Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant will both be active tonight, I've been told. Spurs look to push their Vegas SL record to 3-0 against the Utah Jazz tonight at Thomas & Mack Center. Jazz are expected to be without No. 5 overall pick Ace Bailey. Harper's teammate at Rutgers has a sore hip.
Tony Jones: I’m told Ace Bailey’s hip flexor is a true day-to-day thing and that he hasn’t been ruled out of summer league. Same with John Tonje. The two are being evaluated daily and their availability is based on those evaluations
Andy Larsen: Draft picks Ace Bailey (hip flexor soreness) and Walter Clayton Jr (hamstring soreness) won’t play in today’s summer league game. RJ Luis also won’t (knee soreness). John Tonje has been upgraded to doubtful (ankle sprain).
Advertisement
The Jazz intended to help ease Bailey's transition to the NBA by having Omar Cooper Jr. -- the son of Bailey's advisor who just finished his career at McNeese State and plans to enter coaching -- serve as an unpaid guest coach during summer league. That plan was called off after the league office contacted the Jazz to raise concerns, sources told ESPN. Bailey reported to Utah last weekend and expressed enthusiasm about joining the Jazz, saying he is "just blessed to be in the position I am." The Jazz have been encouraged by his work ethic during summer league practices and individual workouts.
The Jazz intended to help ease Bailey's transition to the NBA by having Omar Cooper Jr. -- the son of Bailey's advisor who just finished his career at McNeese State and plans to enter coaching -- serve as an unpaid guest coach during summer league. That plan was called off after the league office contacted the Jazz to raise concerns, sources told ESPN.
In an extensive interview with The Athletic, Bailey showed himself to be like almost any other 18-year-old. He’s energetic. His mind races through multiple thoughts at once. He can’t wipe the sly grin off his face. And popcorn … he loves popcorn with Gatorade as a post-workout snack. But, if you talk to him about basketball, his knowledge extends well beyond his years. He’ll tell you about Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and their work ethic. He’ll tell you about those two working maniacally on their games. He’ll tell you about the pain they went through to be great. “Of course, you have to be aware of the business side of basketball,” Bailey said. “But I didn’t ask for all of this to come with it. I just want to hoop. I want to keep the main thing the main thing and stay focused. During pre-draft, I was surrounded by family and love. I’m big on family and loyalty. They were there for me even before I was Ace Bailey.”
“Of all the guys in the draft, he’s the one who I think has maybe the highest ceiling,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell told The Athletic. “He’s a talented guy, and I think some of the stuff that was said about him before the draft was unwarranted. They spent 90 percent of the time talking about the 3 percent of the things he can’t do, and not enough about the 97 percent of the things he can do. “His work ethic is superb. He can make plays for other people. He can get into the lane and make plays. I think in time, he has a chance to play the point guard position. I think he’s still growing physically. I know that I’m biased, but I think he is going to be really good.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement