Jazz know exactly what Ace Bailey needs to take that next step

Following a slow but still promising start to the season, Ace Bailey has begun to show out for the Utah Jazz. Since the team elevated him to a starter, he's taken the opportunity and run with it, putting up two consecutive 20-point nights. That's a pretty telling sign of what's to come from Mr. Bailey, and the next step towards the path of superstardom for him is driving more to the basket.

Hopefully, this won't make me sound too much like a party pooper, but Bailey still has work to do, as any NBA rookie would, no matter how their career starts. For what it's worth, Bailey has already shown that both his three-ball and his stepback are legitimate.

Better than that, he's proven that he can play within the Jazz's schemes, and that's pretty impressive for a rookie like him, even with all the talent he has. Even the most talented rookies have struggled to show they can fit with their teams right away. Bailey has shown as such even before he broke out. He's not a black hole, he is a good decision maker, and he doesn't take bad shots.

So even why bring this up if Bailey looks well on his way to becoming the Jazz's next franchise player? Because it's what the Jazz need to ascend to a higher level.

Bailey upping his drives would benefit the Jazz as a whole

Making a big deal out of drives per game is actually something the Jazz shouldn't ignore. 12 games into the season, they are averaging 37.7 per game, per NBA.com, good for 28th in the NBA, ahead of only the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. The only Jazzman in the top-50 in drives per game? The new-and-improved version of Keyonte George, who is tied for 45th among NBA players averaging 10.4 a game.

The newly returned Isaiah Collier isn't too far behind him, as averaging 9.3 ties him for 58th in drives per game (which might go higher once Utah elevates his role). Bailey ranks all the way at 199 among NBA players, as he averaged 2.8 drives per game. Now that the Jazz are trusting him more, he has the opportunity to show that his scoring versatility.

What will also help is the return of Georges Niang, an elite floor spacer who will demand attention because of how deadly he is from deep. That kind of spacing can give Bailey the room to operate. Having two playmakers and drivers like George and Collier will also make Bailey's life easier.

Look, even with all of this, there's no pressure on Bailey to be elite at this, but after looking like he is ready blossom as a Jazzman, this is the next step. Utah should already feel fantastic about what the future holds with Bailey, but if he can add driving abilities to his game, the Jazz will know for a fact that any supposed "risk" that came with drafting him will be completely eviscerated.