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Tim MacMahon
SALT LAKE CITY — No. 5 total decide Ace Bailey‘s debut in a Utah Jazz uniform featured extra soiled work than flashes of his scoring potential, which wasn’t essentially a disappointment to his new coaches.
Bailey completed with eight factors on 3-of-13 taking pictures within the Jazz’s 93-89 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday’s Salt Lake Metropolis Summer time League opener. He was outshined by Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 total decide who had 28 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 assists whereas going 13-of-27 from the ground.
Nevertheless, with the sport on the road, Edgecombe missed a 3-pointer that will have tied the rating. Bailey grabbed the defensive rebound with 4 seconds left and hit certainly one of two free throws to seal the Jazz’s victory.
“Man, it was nice,” stated Bailey, whose greatest spotlight was hovering properly above the rim to reject a layup try. “We gained, too, in order that made it a plus. It was enjoyable.”
Following just a few days after the draft when Bailey’s need to play in Utah and even report back to the Jazz have been unsure, the 18-year-old’s efficiency indicated that he was blissful to have this chance. He impressed his coaches along with his bodily, lively defensive effort and by grabbing seven rebounds in his 25 minutes, a number of of which have been in site visitors, together with the clutch defensive board.
“All that stuff is not talked about sufficient,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy informed ESPN, referring to the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Bailey’s means and willingness to defend and rebound. “The offense will come. He is studying a brand new system and new folks and has been labored exhausting the final 4 days [in practice].
“He is an NBA physique and athlete. He is an awesome teammate, too. I’ve had nothing however optimistic evaluations from all of the coaches and his teammates this primary week.”
The Jazz meant to assist ease Bailey’s transition to the NBA by having Omar Cooper Jr., the son of Bailey’s advisor who simply completed his profession at McNeese State and plans to enter teaching, function an unpaid visitor coach throughout summer season league. That plan was referred to as off after the league workplace contacted the Jazz to boost issues, sources informed ESPN.
Bailey reported to Utah over the weekend and expressed enthusiasm about becoming a member of the Jazz, saying he’s “simply blessed to be within the place I’m.” The Jazz have been inspired by his work ethic throughout summer season league practices and particular person exercises.
It was additionally notable that Bailey remained mentally engaged whereas sitting out for nearly all of crunch time in a detailed recreation Saturday. He was standing in entrance of the Jazz bench and animatedly cheering for his teammates throughout that stretch.
Bailey grabbed the clutch defensive rebound on the possession instantly after checking again into the sport following his prolonged relaxation.
Utah drafted Bailey, who averaged 17.6 factors throughout his lone season at Rutgers, regardless of him declining to work out for the Jazz as a result of they believed he was the perfect participant on the board and had star potential, significantly as a scorer. However Bailey by no means acquired into an offensive groove throughout his summer season league opener and compelled just a few questionable photographs.
“Offensively, we are able to perform a little bit higher job in all probability getting him concerned,” stated Scott Morrison, the Jazz assistant who’s serving as Utah’s head coach throughout the Salt Lake Metropolis Summer time League. “We’ll chip away at that. The good factor about summer season league is it does not actually matter what the result’s. It is extra vital that he has some issues to look at on movie tomorrow morning.
“This two weeks is principally a crash course within the NBA, and if you’re coming from the faculty stage particularly as an 18-year-old child, all these issues that don’t have anything to do with scoring or taking pictures are far more vital to determine to get on the courtroom. Then as soon as he establishes these issues the place he might help the crew in a optimistic method with out scoring, we are able to fear about his shot choice.”