No. 5 overall draftee for the Utah Jazz, Ace Bailey, has found himself becoming the most unpopular person from his draft class for reportedly threatening not to come to his new team’s practice after falling from an expected No. 3 selection to No. 5. Fans, coaches, and analysts have been blasting Bailey for his actions, and one current NBA star has also thrown some shade on the incoming Jazz rookie.
During his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show,” Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green had a stern warning for the rookie, as questions on Bailey’s work ethic have popped up regarding his recent actions.
“I don’t necessarily think it hurt. It didn’t hurt. You went [fifth], whoop-de-f**ing-do. It didn’t hurt that,” Draymond Green said.
“But you’re walking into the NBA with a strike, and I think that’s what’s most important to understand. You’re walking in with a question mark on character. You’re walking in with a question mark on work ethic. You’re walking in with a question mark on your camp. … My thing to him and his camp would be, understand where you are,” the Warriors star added.
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Bailey was originally projected to be picked No. 3 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, but he cancelled his workout session with the team and refused to answer their calls. He then refused to talk to any other team ahead of the draft, threatening some teams that he would not show up to practice if they picked him.
These actions led some teams souring on him, with the Sixers picking VJ Edgecombe instead, while the Charlotte Hornets skipped him completely and went for Kon Knueppel instead.
Draymond Green Issues a Challenge For Incoming Rookie Ace Bailey
Meanwhile, Draymond Green was not done with Bailey during his podcast after those comments, as the former NBA champion issued a challenge for the upcoming rookie, telling him to be a great rookie, no matter what team he is playing for.
“Go in there and be a great rookie,” Green said. “That don’t mean don’t go play great, go be a great rookie. Don’t go in there thinking stuff’s going to be your way, because you already got a strike. This league will move on from you fast.”
This challenge came with a warning, as the NBA often does not like players who create drama against their own teams, as this might also turn off other teams that may sign them.
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