{"id":108167,"date":"2024-11-21T01:17:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T06:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=108167"},"modified":"2024-11-21T01:17:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T06:17:43","slug":"rutgers-ace-bailey-charm-wizards-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/21\/rutgers-ace-bailey-charm-wizards-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Rutgers\u2019 Ace Bailey\u2019s Bewitching Talent Should Charm East Team"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>No 2025 NBA Draft prospect has received as much hype as Duke freshman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/cooper-flagg-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cooper Flagg<\/a>, but Rutgers freshman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/airious-bailey-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ace Bailey<\/a> comes close.<\/p>\n<h2>Rutgers\u2019 Ace Bailey\u2019s Bewitching Talent Should Charm Wizards<\/h2>\n<p>Ranked as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.on3.com\/db\/ace-bailey-150396\/recruiting\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">consensus No. 2 high school recruit<\/a> in the Class of 2024, Bailey\u2019s size, shot-making, and defensive impact <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/30\/nba-draft-executive-names-cooper-flagg-no-1-competitor-ace-bailey\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">give him a legitimate chance<\/a> to be the No. 1 pick. In every game, he makes multiple plays that scream <em>future superstar<\/em>.\u00a0Flagg is the better facilitator, possessing a better feel for a team-oriented style of play. However, while that\u2019s important, it might be the only area where he\u2019s more valuable than the Scarlet Knights forward.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Ace Bailey vs Merrimack tonight..<\/p>\n<p>23 PTS (9-15 FG, 2-4 3PT)<br \/>\n10 REBS<br \/>\n1 BLK<\/p>\n<p>This is my first time saying this, this season so I Don\u2019t wanna hear it.. but bro look like the #1 PICK RN\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cSoXSQJhJz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/cSoXSQJhJz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Frankie_Vision\/status\/1859441284877832581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bailey\u2019s supernatural scoring ability and penchant for making winning plays at the defensive end is a formula that\u2019s led to many All-Star games and quite a few NBA championships<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Ace Bailey drops 25 in the first Rutgers exhibition <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sDw6LLJaDX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/sDw6LLJaDX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Teg\ud83d\udea8 (@IQfor3) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IQfor3\/status\/1847079303957053651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At 6-foot-10, Bailey has often drawn comparisons to Philadelphia 76ers forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul George<\/a>. That may be a bit off-base, as George has better playmaking instincts and a more advanced ball-handling package. However, Bailey\u2019s touch is so soft that he doesn\u2019t need many dribbles to score. As a result, he\u2019s also been in conversations with Boston Celtics forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jayson Tatum<\/a>. The only problem is that Tatum is more fixated on passing and less focused on the midrange than Bailey.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Which NBA players does Ace Bailey model his game after?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Jayson Tatum&#8230; And I&#8217;ll say Tracy McGrady, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>What does he like about them?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They can create shots, and they put their teammates in situations that they know they can succeed in.&#8221; <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Rsr31THOCS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Rsr31THOCS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/erikslater_\/status\/1859443510501335073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That being said, Phoenix Suns forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a> may be Bailey\u2019s best parallel. Durant\u2019s buttery touch is a level above his, at least right now. Nonetheless, they have similar physical attributes, shot-selection, movement, strengths, and weaknesses.<\/p>\n<h3>Replacing Kyle Kuzma<\/h3>\n<p>There are at least four young players who the Washington Wizards see as part of their core, now and for the foreseeable future: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/coulibi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bilal Coulibaly<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarral01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Sarr<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carrica01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bub Carrington<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/georgky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyshawn George<\/a>. In addition to that quartet are veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poolejo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Poole<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kispeco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Corey Kispert<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As of now, the players among that group with the potential to be a dominant scorer and defender are Poole, Coulibaly, Carrington, and Sarr. That\u2019s not a bad sign at all, as there are multiple teams that have fewer young players with high-end two-way upside. However, as Washington continues to build their core, it\u2019s clear that they need to add a frontcourt piece in that same mold.<\/p>\n<p>To that point, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuzmaky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Kuzma<\/a> is generally inefficient outside of the paint. He\u2019s also a weak on-ball defender. Furthermore, he\u2019s the only Wizards player who has consistently been <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/06\/wizards-kyle-kuzma-clarifies-mavs-trade-rumors\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">involved in trade talks<\/a>, and that\u2019s likely not a coincidence. At 29 years old, Kuzma\u2019s playing his prime years for a rebuilding team. That\u2019s not ideal for him, if his ambition involved winning meaningful games, nor the franchise.<\/p>\n<p>Bailey is none of those things. Though he\u2019s a power finisher, he\u2019s sensational outside of the paint because of how well he can create space and shoot even when the defense is tight. The 18-year-old might not take a three-point attempt every five minutes, but he\u2019s a reliable and natural jump shooter.<\/p>\n<h3>Fitting In, Standing Out<\/h3>\n<p>Bailey pretty much stays in his lane.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">How does Ace Bailey hit incredibly tough shots in games? He practices them, of course. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iL5biMO30F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/iL5biMO30F<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/briannnnf\/status\/1859380970937356697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This is actually pretty beneficial to the Wizards. Though skill development and diversification is important, guys can run into issues constantly trying to make plays that are out of their wheelhouse. That\u2019s been the case for Kuzma the last couple of years as he <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/10\/former-jordan-clarkson-teammate-open-to-joining-gilas-pilipinas\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">tries to expand his offensive game<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bailey isn\u2019t going to try to become a point-forward his rookie year. He isn\u2019t go from being a three-level scorer to three-point specialist. He has to fine-tune his game and be coachable, but that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s going to change who he is as a player.<\/p>\n<p>Nor should he.<\/p>\n<p>While Coulibaly, Carrington, and Sarr continue to grow as scorers, Bailey\u2019s preternatural shot-making abilities make him an ideal fit alongside them. Additionally, Carrington, Poole, Sarr, George, <em>and<\/em> Coulibaly relieve pressure off him as a playmaker. Indeed, he\u2019s likely to make a lot of plays off of their feeds. With Kispert and George in the rotation, he doesn\u2019t have to stand in the corner like he was punted there. Instead, he can get to his \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/28\/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-trains-with-top-5-draft-prospects\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">kill spots<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Like the Titan, Atlas, Bailey raises the Wizards\u2019 floor and ceiling. Yet, he won\u2019t be <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/01\/wizards-forward-kyle-kuzma-needs-to-be-traded\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">stepping on his teammates\u2019 toes<\/a>, just matching their steps. At the end of the day, despite having the potential to be their top scorer down the line, he can stand out while fitting in.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s what every team with a top pick should dream of.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No 2025 NBA Draft prospect has received as much hype as Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, but Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey comes close. Rutgers\u2019 Ace Bailey\u2019s Bewitching Talent Should Charm Wizards Ranked as the consensus No. 2 high school recruit in the Class of 2024, Bailey\u2019s size, shot-making, and defensive impact give him a legitimate chance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":108175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[556,1608,62,18],"tags":[49399,48964,1128,98,4774],"class_list":["post-108167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba-draft","category-basketball","category-nba","category-wizards","tag-ace-bailey","tag-cooper-flagg","tag-kyle-kuzma","tag-nba-draft","tag-rumors"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108175"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}