I think the drama surrounding Ace made people overlook who Ace the prospect. He’s a good prospect and I’d understand if you had him 3rd….but this is not a situation where he was for sure the 3rd, 4th, or even 5th best prospect and he only dropped because of the drama. I don’t think Ace dropping had much to do with the Omar situation if I’m being honest.
Game Thread Jul 05, 2025 07:00pm: 76ers Vs Jazz (Summer League)
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Added to Calendar: 07-05-25
Cody was active on both ends, showing some kind of motor is a good sign. Besides his frame/skill level, his low motor was a big question mark. Hoping he keeps it up.
Collier…he’s kind of the perfect PG for this and where we’re at. But where we’re at is a tanking team. It’s great to have a pass first PG when we have a bunch of chuckers, but to be a real rotation player on a real team he’s going to have to be more of a threat to score with and without the ball + defend at a higher level. You can see all of that in one SL game, of course, but it’s just a thought I had in my mind while watching him.
Collier…he’s kind of the perfect PG for this and where we’re at. But where we’re at is a tanking team. It’s great to have a pass first PG when we have a bunch of chuckers, but to be a real rotation player on a real team he’s going to have to be more of a threat to score with and without the ball + defend at a higher level. You can see all of that in one SL game, of course, but it’s just a thought I had in my mind while watching him.
Isaiah 1:13
Well-Known Member
At the expense of whose minutes? Are we gonna shut down Collins for the season? And in the backcourt, George and Sensabaugh are soooo far ahead of him in every skill designation it’s not funny. To say nothing of his conditioning! I have to say that I understand now why he was laying low and didn’t work out for anybody.
That being said, I completely understand where you’re coming from. His potential is enormous, his ceiling is next level. We’re rebuilding, expectations are still exceedingly low. I just worry that we risk upsetting the delicate balance of natural hegemony among players and teammates. I can’t even say for certain that he’s an alpha and will know how to handle the situation.
He needs to get rid of that dude Cooper ASAP.
HeatCheck
Well-Known Member
I typically don't watch much SL, did catch the 2nd half last night so missed most of Ace's good stuff. I will say that VJ has an "IT" type aura. Donovan carried himself in a similar fashion from Day 1.
Being Captain Obvious here but between Lauri, Collins, Brice, Key, Ace, Clayton, Cody they won't have enough shots for all these guys. You can definitely see why they felt the need to move off Clarkson, Sexton, and Juzang.
Being Captain Obvious here but between Lauri, Collins, Brice, Key, Ace, Clayton, Cody they won't have enough shots for all these guys. You can definitely see why they felt the need to move off Clarkson, Sexton, and Juzang.
George W
Well-Known Member
Generally speaking when a rookie's shot is off, you want to look for something else that is evident.
With Ace, the size(!!! -- so apparent just seeing him out there), shooting mechanics, and energy (3 ORBs) is something that stands out to me. That Harpring curl looked fluid as ****.
At this point I'm essentially convinced he's going to become a star barring injuries. Can't explain it -- yes his handle is weaker, yes stamina clearly needs to improve, but I'm expecting good things. If not this year, the year after. Ignore the dumb as hell NBA Draft crowd who has decided to hate on a player for bucking trends.
Walt Lake City was another stellar pick. Sens body transformation among the most significant I've seen in any jazz player in a decade. Cody's only chance of remaining in the NBA is a reliable perimeter shot -- unfortunately when that isn't going he disappears. Flip is a offensively-talented sieve, Collier would be so so great if he could shoot.
I'll be honest, VJ's perimeter shot beyond 3 didn't look solid. Solid mid-range game with a couple difficult-shot makes, but I'm seeing more Oladipo than Donovan Mitchell. I'm not sure how many mid-range buckets he'll get playing on the Sixers with their guard congestion but the defence is for real and he's very active, already in great shape. Personally I'd still rather have Ace.
- George
With Ace, the size(!!! -- so apparent just seeing him out there), shooting mechanics, and energy (3 ORBs) is something that stands out to me. That Harpring curl looked fluid as ****.
At this point I'm essentially convinced he's going to become a star barring injuries. Can't explain it -- yes his handle is weaker, yes stamina clearly needs to improve, but I'm expecting good things. If not this year, the year after. Ignore the dumb as hell NBA Draft crowd who has decided to hate on a player for bucking trends.
Walt Lake City was another stellar pick. Sens body transformation among the most significant I've seen in any jazz player in a decade. Cody's only chance of remaining in the NBA is a reliable perimeter shot -- unfortunately when that isn't going he disappears. Flip is a offensively-talented sieve, Collier would be so so great if he could shoot.
I'll be honest, VJ's perimeter shot beyond 3 didn't look solid. Solid mid-range game with a couple difficult-shot makes, but I'm seeing more Oladipo than Donovan Mitchell. I'm not sure how many mid-range buckets he'll get playing on the Sixers with their guard congestion but the defence is for real and he's very active, already in great shape. Personally I'd still rather have Ace.
- George
George W
Well-Known Member
Omar Cooper will have zero bearing on the career outcome of Ace Bailey. This is a purposefully overblown media spectacle in order to discourage players from finding representation from non League/Media "approved" sources. We see this in the NFL very clearly, and it's rearing its head now in the NBA as well. Agents and journalists all work in cahoots with each other to butter their own bread. Journalists get scoops, agents get to 'scoop' young talent and get cuts of their contracts for the rest of their careers. All of these narratives are overblown, and frankly some verge into the racist/dogwhistle territory.
- George
Miggs
Well-Known Member
This. I’m not super concerned about shot selection and such. What I am concerned about is a clearly below average handle. It’s really rough.
SojoDave
Well-Known Member
Wes Unsel
Don't see this relationship ending well. He's hated on because people think he's a primadonna. Can't be good for an 18-year-old. Imagine the pressure if he doesn't perform quickly. And what's with Cooper's son being inserted into the Jazz organization? Cooper seems like LaVar.
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VJ already plays like a veteran all-star and Bailey looks like he has a long ways to go but you'd take Ace?
RandyForRubio
Well-Known Member
I swear people are going off of VJ’s stat line and not how he actually played.
He played good! But I never thought he looked like a star. Bailey outplayed him in the first half.
I was pleasantly surprised with Bailey’s defense. His biggest issue, more than shot selection, is his handle. Super fixable. He’s going to be really good. Walt is going to be good too.
He played good! But I never thought he looked like a star. Bailey outplayed him in the first half.
I was pleasantly surprised with Bailey’s defense. His biggest issue, more than shot selection, is his handle. Super fixable. He’s going to be really good. Walt is going to be good too.
framer
Well-Known Member
The biggest issue I see with Ace right now is that he has been coached exclusively as a wing. He doesn't seem to understand screens or the pick and roll at all. He's never needed either. So, unless the guards come and deliver the ball to him in his spot, he just kind if floats. Philly figured this out in the second half and denied him his "spots."
The good news is that playing off and setting screens is easy to learn and Ace has all the skills needed for the pick an roll and pick and pop. His teammates will learn better where to get him the ball after more than 4 days of practice. It is fun to see the Jazz shorten the bench and only play the extra guys as placeholders.
Also, dude needs to get in shape, but everything I am seeing from the Jazz strength and conditioning guys is amazing.
The good news is that playing off and setting screens is easy to learn and Ace has all the skills needed for the pick an roll and pick and pop. His teammates will learn better where to get him the ball after more than 4 days of practice. It is fun to see the Jazz shorten the bench and only play the extra guys as placeholders.
Also, dude needs to get in shape, but everything I am seeing from the Jazz strength and conditioning guys is amazing.
RandyForRubio
Well-Known Member
I was really disappointed with Flip.
He’s so good offensively, really has an excellent package there, but he’s a complete sieve on defense. Part of frustration there is that he doesn’t play smart on defense. Twice in a row went for shot fakes from Bona who isn’t a perimeter threat? He needs to get a lot stronger and a lot smarter, or he’ll never be anything more than a stats guy on bad teams.
He’s so good offensively, really has an excellent package there, but he’s a complete sieve on defense. Part of frustration there is that he doesn’t play smart on defense. Twice in a row went for shot fakes from Bona who isn’t a perimeter threat? He needs to get a lot stronger and a lot smarter, or he’ll never be anything more than a stats guy on bad teams.
I feel pretty confident that Flip will never be able to play the 5, but I'm hopeful he can eventually become workable defensively at the 4.
I reckon. I know he had surgery in mid-April and it was serious; no clue when he returns but they said he played injured most of last season.
AlaskanAssassin
Well-Known Member
How long does it take to get acclimated to the SLC elevation? Honestly think Bailey was gassed the entire second half.
homeytennis
Well-Known Member
He does need to get in better shape. The coaches and him are risking injury when he plays and is that gassed.
Coach Ellis
Well-Known Member
I didn’t get to watch the whole game, so based on the comments in here I assumed they lost. Philly looked decent. The fact that the young guys can come out and compete AND win a close game is great - even in summer league.
Ace, WCJ, Cody, Collier, Sensabaugh and Flip all did some good things. And, everything looks different with more practice time and Walker Kessler in the mix. I’m still not convinced the Jazz will win a lot of games this year, but I’m WAY more optimistic about the future direction of this team than I was a year ago.
Ace, WCJ, Cody, Collier, Sensabaugh and Flip all did some good things. And, everything looks different with more practice time and Walker Kessler in the mix. I’m still not convinced the Jazz will win a lot of games this year, but I’m WAY more optimistic about the future direction of this team than I was a year ago.