Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker continues to build his impressive legacy in the NBA, which includes a notable run to the 2021 NBA Finals along with multiple All-Star and All-NBA accolades. Recently, he became a pivotal figure in rookie Ace Bailey’s early experiences in the league, illustrating the transition and challenges faced by newcomers.
In a recent episode of The Old Man and the Three podcast, Ace Bailey, the Utah Jazz’s No. 5 overall draft pick, shared his “welcome to the league” moment stemming from his on-court battle with Booker. Bailey recounted his first game against the Suns, where he quickly learned the importance of defensive play. “Will [Hardy] took me out in the first five minutes because I wasn’t playing defense. I was like, Wow, if you don’t play defense you can’t play at all,” Bailey reflected. He expressed his surprise at the level of intensity and physicality in the NBA, especially while guarding a seasoned player like Booker, who he noted was “cooking” during the game.
In that matchup, Bailey logged just five minutes on the court before being substituted out. However, his team managed to hold a significant lead at that point, easing the pressure on him. Despite not having standout statistics early in the season, Bailey has garnered admiration from coaches and analysts alike. NBA insider Zach Lowe highlighted Bailey’s dedication and performance, noting, “Everybody in Utah, coaches across the board, love Ace Bailey. They have been so impressed with how hard he plays… He’s made some nice plays out of that as a roll passer kind of guy.”
So far this season, Bailey has contributed six points in two encounters against Phoenix, with both of those points scored earlier in October. As the Suns and Jazz prepare for their final meeting of the season on March 28, Bailey’s evolving presence in the league is becoming increasingly noteworthy.
This blend of experience and lessons learned is crucial for Bailey as he navigates his rookie season, and it reflects the broader narrative of how veterans like Booker can leave a lasting impact on younger players entering the NBA.