Ace Bailey Hype and Appreciation thread

HermanG said:

You kinda oversold "how bad Ace is" in your previous post, but I think you are correct in that Ace likely wont be the 5th starter next year.

The reason isnt "Ace is bad" but its more about what we need to make the starting lineup function at the highest possible level and whether Ace provides that.

IMO our top 3 priorities for the 5th starter are POA defense, ballhandling and passing. None of those are Ace's fortes.

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I think Ace is way "less bad" to play as a SF. But since now we have both JJJ and Lauri it leaves him the only starting position as a SG, and he is a particularly bad fit for it. A good shooting guard should be very good at dribbling and decent at passing, and Ace is absolutely not there yet.

And just to add to this, on the defensive side... Who do we expect to defend the dynamic guards like Ant, SGA, Mitchel... Lauri is to big for that and Key is, well, Key. It all would all fall down on Ace and I don't think he will be ready next year to cover the best guards in the NBA night after night.

And that is a bit unfair, because it's totally on Keyonte, but it is what it is.

I still think Jabari Smith Jr. is a very apt comparison. Jabari was much better in college, but the rookie season is pretty similar. That's not an exact fit with what need, but its still a valuable player that every team needs. A lot of these wing, shot maker types just end up being role players and that's just fine.

Saint Cy of JFC said:

Efficiency isn't a concern, but the base of why he is so inefficient is. The not getting FTs

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fair point. makes me think of Rodney Hood (though ace more talented). Durant averaged 6 free throws a game without the strength too (though he's a bit taller/longer). I guess he's looking like MPJ free throw rate

I gotta stop caring about the Jazz winning. I'm just gonna accept we don't keep the pick... anything else is pleasant surprise. The lottery is probably rigged. Adam Silver won't let us pick better than 8 anyway

Ace is more a 3 than a 2.
You do not play 3 seven footers frontcourt with Ace.
You should not play 3 seven footers with Key as your floor general.
Somethings gotta give.... and Nurk can be a really nice backup center.
You get where I'm going, right?

NAOS_pt2 said:

It really depends on where the '26 pick lands.

As of right now, if you asked me to speculate about next year, and if the pick is 6-8, then I give Ace really good odds of being the 5th starter. If the pick is 1-4, then his odds go down, but definitely not to zero.

Ace has shown me plenty of flashes that he knows how to move the ball in Hardy's system. In fact, he's waaaaay better at that than I thought he'd be. And he's also shown me flashes that he can use 3 or 4 dribbles and create a shot for himself. It might not be the best shot profile, but we could use a mid-range king in short-clock situations. And I have strong faith in his abilities in a defensive system. Next year's starting lineup can use all of that.

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Next year Hardy will care a lot about whether players are net positives or not. He will also care about each unit functioning at its highest level.

Ace in the starting lineup means JJJ is probably our 2nd best ballhandler and best POA/perimeter defender while Kessler would probably be our 2nd best passer. That is far from optimal. Put in Vince Williams or someone like him instead, and you elevate all those areas and the first unit functions much better in theory.

Also you have to try and put Ace in the best position to succeed (be as much of a net positive as possible). I think "bench Lauri" -role is the best option for that. It not only fits his skillset but it also means we can run a lot of our money plays even when Lauri is resting. They will end up sharing the court a lot as well since we obviously want to give Ace 25 mpg at the very least, but I see them subbing for each other more than not.

outerspacefan said:

Ace is more a 3 than a 2.
You do not play 3 seven footers frontcourt with Ace.
You should not play 3 seven footers with Key as your floor general.
Somethings gotta give.... and Nurk can be a really nice backup center.
You get where I'm going, right?

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It hasn’t been pretty, and those weak Eastern Conference play-in teams aren’t exactly the best measuring stick for the 17-win powerhouse we currently are, but this lineup is a serious matchup problem for most teams in the league.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we start running more off steals and defensive rebounds, and a lineup with Collier–Ace–Lauri and a trailing JJJ should absolutely feast in transition and semi-transition.

Ace might not reach his full potential playing alongside three seven-footers, but after two games, I’m not entirely sure it isn’t the best setup for the team.

outerspacefan said:

Ace is more a 3 than a 2.
You do not play 3 seven footers frontcourt with Ace.
You should not play 3 seven footers with Key as your floor general.
Somethings gotta give.... and Nurk can be a really nice backup center.
You get where I'm going, right?

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Not at all. Sound kind of dumb

Ace seems to have hit a wall a bit which is normal for a rookie. He has a great stoke that is hard to block.

It really comes down to his drive to improve. We'll find out as he develops (or doesn't) over the next couple of offseasons.

TheGoldStandard said:

Ace seems to have hit a wall a bit which is normal for a rookie. He has a great stoke that is hard to block.

It really comes down to his drive to improve. We'll find out as he develops (or doesn't) over the next couple of offseasons.

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On the other hand, last night in the 4th quarter might have been the best Ace has looked yet this year.

Has anyone with his archetype ever had a free throw rate as a 19 year old or even rookie as poor as Ace's and then gotten that free throw rate up to average per 36 i wonder?