Utah Jazz Select Ace Bailey, Pick 5

[YoungJefe]

LOL at comparing Cody loppy *** to Ace

 

[NAOS_pt2]

I guarantee this is the vision that the Ainges have when looking at Bailey. Very similar measurables and skillset coming out of school. If he doesn't hit then maybe something closer to Rudy Gay.

Let's hope he doesn't become Kelly Oubre with a jack-it-up mentality.

 

[Powshredder]

Is this the highest upside we’ve ever drafted?

I hate to be that guy, but i legit thought Exum was gonna be the next Kobe

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

I hate to be that guy, but i legit thought Exum was gonna be the next Kobe

He was never compared to Kobe as far as their games go. I think I remember him being compared to Kobe‘s mental side of the game how he prepares and things like that, though I never saw that during his career in Utah.

 

[fishonjazz]

He was never compared to Kobe as far as their games go. I think I remember him being compared to Kobe‘s mental side of the game how he prepares and things like that, though I never saw that during his career in Utah.

I always heard penny hardaway. I hated the pick from day one though. Also hated the trey burke pick from day one. Couple of them that I got right.

 

[The Midnight]

I hate to be that guy, but i legit thought Exum was gonna be the next Kobe

Goes to show that Aussies are NEVER to be trusted…

Right, @Rubashov?

 

[Elizah Huge]

Austin saying this was best case scenario is awesome. Such a stark contrast from saying Taylor Hendricks was 9th on our board and we drafted him 9th lol.

Ace was likely 3rd on our board if I put all of the pieces together.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Austin saying this was best case scenario is awesome. Such a stark contrast from saying Taylor Hendricks was 9th on our board and we drafted him 9th lol.

Ace was likely 3rd on our board if I put all of the pieces together.

I still had Ace 3rd, even after all the drama leading up to the draft. I’m just glad the Ainge’s tuned out the noise, pointed at the bleachers and took the swing.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Summer league is going to be fun!

Also, we dont need Ace to be a polished player in 2025. We want him to start to be good by 2026 when we add 1 more prospect. We have time to develop him.

 

[Eminence]

In my time as a fan I'd put Ace as the #2 upside guy behind Deron.

Not old enough to comment on how Darrell Griffith should compare.

Edit: That's kind of how I felt at the time, obviously guys like Mitchell/Gobert wound up being homerun picks and I don't really expect Ace to be better than either.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

In my time as a fan I'd put Ace as the #2 upside guy behind Deron.

Not old enough to comment on how Darrell Griffith should compare.

I kinda disagree with that. Ace is the kind of dominant wing that can score from anywhere with defensive upside. Think Tracy McGrady with defense kind of possible impact and upside. Williams while great I think he overshot his upside. I don’t think scouts saw that kind of potential upside as an elite playmaker and scorer. Ace has the upside of a superstar top 5-10 player that can lead a championship team as far as his ceiling is concerned.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

I just think 6-8 to 6-9 wings that are that skilled impacts a team more than a really skilled 6-3 pg.

 

[Eminence]

I kinda disagree with that. Ace is the kind of dominant wing that can score from anywhere with defensive upside. Think Tracy McGrady with defense kind of possible impact and upside. Williams while great I think he overshot his upside. I don’t think scouts saw that kind of potential upside as an elite playmaker and scorer. Ace has the upside of a superstar top 5-10 player that can lead a championship team as far as his ceiling is concerned.

I don't see anything close to TMac with defensive upside.

McGrady's handle/athleticism were so much better than what I'm seeing from Ace I can't even begin to see the comparison.

 

[KqWIN]

TMac with defense lol

 

[seattlejazzfan]

jazz fans are going to love Ace Bailey. even the guys who are a little butthurt right now. he'll win them over.

 

[Eminence]

Rashard Lewis is the guy I'm hoping he can develop into - probably a bit more creation but a bit worse pure shooter. Not really a standout defender, but not a problem either.

 

[seattlejazzfan]

Rashard Lewis is the guy I'm hoping he can develop into - probably a bit more creation but a bit worse pure shooter. Not really a standout defender, but not a problem either.

he can absolutely be a standout defender.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

Rashard Lewis is the guy I'm hoping he can develop into - probably a bit more creation but a bit worse pure shooter. Not really a standout defender, but not a problem either.

He was a plus defender at Rutgers according to tankathon. Teams leading rebounder and shot blocker. Hes got the tools. His on off splits on defense we’re good.

 

[KqWIN]

Rashard Lewis is the guy I'm hoping he can develop into - probably a bit more creation but a bit worse pure shooter. Not really a standout defender, but not a problem either.

I've seen this comparison before and it makes a lot of sense to me. One advantage that Lewis had during his career is that he was on the cutting edge in terms of shooting 3's. He also got to the line a decent amount making him a Moreyball player before that was a thing. Ace is on the opposite side of the spectrum where he's shooting less 3's than his peers. It shouldn't be too hard to get a young player to shoot more 3's, but the Jazz have absolutely got to get him away from the mid range as best they can.

It remains to be seen how well Ace can actually shoot, but unless he's literally one of the GOAT shooters of all time he's going to have to improve on that shot distribution.

 

[KqWIN]

Usually I'm not one to say these kind of things, but I do think we need to invest in a veteran that Ace respects and have them in the locker room. Even if it's just someone like Jeff Green or Joe Ingles.