Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey is quietly redefining his game as he prepares for the rigors of an 82-game NBA season. Following a preseason victory against the San Antonio Spurs, Jazz President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge approached Bailey in the locker room to congratulate him on an impressive performance. In 26 minutes of play, Bailey recorded six points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. While the outing came largely against the Spurs’ bench unit, it served as a tangible preview of his evolving skill set.
As Ainge walked away from Bailey’s locker cubby, he offered a brief directive: “You just gotta do it every night.” That phrase has practically become synonymous with Bailey’s offseason development. For Bailey, the focus has shifted firmly toward making an impact on the defensive end of the floor, knowing that his scoring ability will naturally take care of itself.
“Offense is going to come,” Bailey said. “I’m not worried about the offensive end. I mean, I can score. It’s just mainly just focused on the defensive end, just being the two-way player we need.”
That defensive commitment was on full display against San Antonio, where Bailey utilized his natural length and athleticism to disrupt opposing players. Multiple team sources note that Bailey’s defensive intensity has been a consistent standout throughout training camp. Teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. praised the forward’s motor, highlighting his ability to make hustle plays, jump passing lanes, contest shots, and crash the boards.
According to Jazz head coach Will Hardy, two primary factors have accelerated Bailey’s defensive growth: a dramatic improvement in physical conditioning and a better understanding of spatial awareness on the court. Hardy pointed out that Bailey is now executing sharper closeouts on shooters and showing superior ball containment at the point of attack, maximizing the utility of his physical dimensions.
Bailey acknowledged that this past offseason marked the first time he truly locked in on upgrading his conditioning, incorporating strenuous track workouts, three-minute runs, and extensive stationary bike sessions. When asked if the grueling regimen paid off, Bailey kept his response concise: “For sho’.”
Recognizing that physical stamina is non-negotiable for surviving an 82-game campaign, Bailey understands that getting winded less will directly translate to a more prominent role on the floor. His ultimate ambition is to cement himself as a legitimate two-way star who can guard opposing top-tier talents and use his athleticism to impact plays as a secondary jumper.
Hardy emphasized that Bailey’s progression is the result of continuous, unglamorous effort rather than an overnight transformation. The forward has spent a full year putting in monotonous, hard work behind the scenes, earning praise from the coaching staff for his dedication.
To shape his aspirations, Bailey looks to Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard as the gold standard for the two-way archetype. By studying Leonard’s defensive highlights—specifically his positioning in passing gaps, physical engagement, and utilization of length and athleticism—Bailey hopes to model his own development after one of the league’s premier defensive stalwarts.
