When teams draft highly touted players like the Utah Jazz drafting Ace Bailey, they typically do things to help the players transition more easily. In this case, the Jazz added Omar Cooper Jr., the son of one of Bailey's representatives, Omar Cooper, as an assistant coach on their Summer League staff to help this transition. However, it appears that the Jazz have since reversed that decision.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon revealed that the NBA called the Jazz to call off adding Cooper to their coaching staff.
"The Jazz intended to help ease Bailey's transition to the NBA by having Omar Cooper Jr. -- the son of Bailey's advisor who just finished his career at McNeese State and plans to enter coaching -- serve as an unpaid guest coach during summer league. That plan was called off after the league office contacted the Jazz to raise concerns, sources told ESPN," MacMahon wrote.
MacMahon added possible reasons why adding Cooper to the team may not have been all too necessary to begin with.
"Bailey reported to Utah last weekend and expressed enthusiasm about joining the Jazz, saying he is 'just blessed to be in the position I am.' The Jazz have been encouraged by his work ethic during summer league practices and individual workouts," MacMahon wrote.
Utah had the right intentions when they did this, believing that, perhaps, because Bailey may not take to Utah upon drafting him, bringing in someone he's familiar with might make it easier for him to embrace the team. However, all indications are that none of that was necessary, as that notion was never true about Bailey to begin with.
All of this point to Bailey not being a problem for Utah
When the Jazz drafted Bailey, a narrative almost instantly formed about him having issues with playing for Utah, but that was quickly put to bed. In fact, since then, Bailey has talked about how welcome he feels among the Jazz fanbase since starting his NBA career.
This is all wonderful news for Utah because it shows that no matter how he turns out, Bailey won't be a problem in the locker room, and more optimistically, he could be the face of the Jazz's next era of basketball. He didn't look fantastic during his Summer League debut, but he definitely showed why Utah was right to have interet in drafting him.
Does that mean the Jazz are out of the woods here? Definitely not. A lot can change over the next four years, but Bailey has shown the right attitude ever since Utah drafted him. Not only has he embraced the team so far, but he's being a good example for his teammates.
Anyone can have superstar talent, but being a good example as well isn't always a given for young players with star potential like Bailey has. Utah might have to further accomodate him as his first four years with the team progresses, but at least they didn't have to be desperate right away.
Here's to hoping things only continue to go swimmingly for Bailey and the Jazz from here!