After finishing as the leading scorer on the night, Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey earned the stamp of approval from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant on Wednesday.
Bailey erupted for a game-high 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one blocked shot in a 140-127 loss to Durant and the Rockets in his preseason debut. He went 11-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, in 31 minutes as a starter.
The fifth pick found success in the mid-range after connecting on several shots off screens and other actions. He looked to be aggressive with the ball, and even got into the open court on a few occasions after forcing a couple of turnovers.
“(He is a) dynamic player,” said Durant, who finished with 20 points. “I think he is going to be a hell of a player. I love the coaching staff that he is with. I love that he got drafted to Utah. They got a good development program over there. I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses. I’m expecting a big year from him and a big career from him. Tonight, he showed us what he can do.”
Bailey, who previously said Durant is the best player of all time, is highly touted for his size, overall skill set and ability to impact games on both ends of the court. He showcased those traits, along with his high-level shot-making and movement on offense.
Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the game that he spent time this offseason watching players like Durant and Jayson Tatum to get a sense of how to coach Bailey. The team wants to help Bailey as much as possible this season, while also not sacrificing their team-oriented principles.
Since joining the team, Bailey has spent countless hours in the gym preparing for his upcoming rookie campaign. He has impressed the team on and off the court, and the group is excited to see him.
“I think one of my focal points early in the season is we can’t overreact to anything that happens with Ace, good or bad,” Hardy said. “I think we need to recognize that this is the beginning of his career. He is a young man trying to learn and grow. … He has shown an incredible ability to learn. His energy level is contagious, so I’m excited to get him out there.”