No Shirt No Problem: The Amari Bailey Thread

[SWedd523]

Since no one has done it yet, here's his Mom:

Dibs on her and Wemby's sister

[wilson115]

Dean loves the pick:

41. Charlotte— Amari Bailey: A

Bailey is a nice value here as he is an athletic SG who can play D. He needs to polish up his offense, but if so can be a nice pick. He’s better than other freshman SG’s who went round 1 such as Nick Smith Jr. or Jalen Hood-Schifino

https://deanondraft.substack.com/p/2023-draft-grades-pick-by-pick

[LofJ]

Been watching video and reading about Bailey and I'm surprised he wasn't drafted earlier. He's solid in just about everything except taking care of the ball. He can attack the basket, he's a physical defender, he impacts the game, and he displayed significant improvement over the course of the season. If he can reduce his turnovers and improve his shooting he's actually the ideal player next to LaMelo.

[wilson115]

Since no one has done it yet, here's his Mom:

Dibs on her and Wemby's sister

Drake beat you to it Romeo.

Bailey’s Jewish heritage comes from his mother, an influencer who goes by Johanna Leia (real surname Edelberg) and who had a widely-publicized fling with Jewish rapper Drake in 2021. Bailey’s father is former NFL wide receiver Aaron Bailey.

https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-747488

[SWedd523]

I won't bring up her past if she won't question mine

[Liver_Pooty]

I won't bring up her past if she won't question mine

I'm an ass man. Does she have a nice ass?

[SWedd523]

After checking her Instagram I would like to respectfully change my mind. She's got that Zion girlfriend body type: 60% plastic

[yosemiteben]

Let's not be teenagers and keep this thread to discussion of the player we drafted

[SWedd523]

You're fine with Dick though

Spoiler:

penis

[JustBuzzin]

After checking her Instagram I would like to respectfully change my mind. She's got that Zion girlfriend body type: 60% plastic

Little did you know most IG models are plastic.

Usually those high profile IG models have had some kind of surgery done. This is the new era we live in. Being natural is a thing of the past.

[UNCNYC]

Nice thread name. You always hit on them.

I also thought of

Charlotte Chip N Dale - The Amari Bailey Thread

Charlotte Chip instead of Chocolate Chip, and he looks like a Chip and Dale dancer lmaooo

[Snidely FC]

Active hands and quick feet. Very good point of attack defender and one v one defender in space. Wants to be great at D, high-effort player on that end.

If you’re hoping for a Josh Hart type player he might be as close as you’ll get on this roster, but he is young and might need a while to impact. I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do at some point I think he can be pretty good, especially as a smart backcourt complement to LaMelo

[vorbis]

watched a fair amount of video on him last night. there's a lot to like.

what I like about him is that he's very good at making plays at a high speed, including on layups and slick passing in the pick and roll. he's nifty at finishing around the rim like a Very Very Very discount version of Kyrie Irving, who is one of the best all time at that.

the one thing I'd like him to speed up is his jumpshot. he's far more accurate when he has time to set and be deliberate with his jumpshot motion, and noticeably worse when he doesn't have that luxury. and of course, in the NBA he'll be lucky to have that kind of time a single time in a given game.

[SWedd523]

Looking at all these scrawny kids, I'm starting to wonder where the beef is going to come from.

Melo hasn't shown any ability to put on weight, all the rookies (ironically sans the "project") are light in the ass with narrow frames that don't look like they'll fill out much. Bouk, Kai, Thor all scrawny.

Miles, PJ, and Mark are the only guys with any weight to them and the first two may not be here long term.

Would've been nice to get into that Marcus Smart trade

[driveandkick]

The more I learn about this guy the more I like this pick. I especially like how his defensive intensity and he also improved steadily while at UCLA last year saving some of his best performances for last. Definitely feels like the type that could have worked his way into top 10 contention in next years weak draft class had he stayed another year at UCLA. For some reason I feel like he’ll work his way into the rotation quicker than Smith. Just a total gut feeling I don’t care about being right, hell if just one of these guys end up being good I’ll take it.

[UNCNYC]

The more I learn about this guy the more I like this pick. I especially like how his defensive intensity and he also improved steadily while at UCLA last year saving some of his best performances for last. Definitely feels like the type that could have worked his way into top 10 contention in next years weak draft class had he stayed another year at UCLA. For some reason I feel like he’ll work his way into the rotation quicker than Smith. Just a total gut feeling I don’t care about being right, hell if just one of these guys end up being good I’ll take it.

This pick I am totally cool with. For a brief stretch I rated Amari Bailey high in my rankings. I actually like this pick more than Miller pick *mainly because we could have traded back and got Amen*.

The only pick I don't like much is the Smith pick. I also don't like that we traded Colby Jones but I LOVE that we got Allegri so it's all good there.

[JMAC3]

Watching more of Amari, he is a really good finisher. He had 17 dunks in just 30 games played. Really crafty lefty finisher.
Shot 62% at the rim at UCLA
He also had 14 assists in just 2 games at NBA combine scrimmages.
His ability to get pressure on the rim, and he passes it well enough. I like the thought of developing him more into the backup point guard of the future.

[wilson115]

How does he fall to #41

Watch on YouTube

[Snidely FC]

His role was blocked behind Tyger Campbell and Jaylen Clarke at UCLA. He shined after Clarke was shut down due to injury, essentially the PAC 12 and NCAA Tourneys. And he also showed out at the Combine in Chicago

Amari Bailey Reminds Us Who He Is
UCLA freshman Amari Bailey has been a tricky evaluation. A highly-touted incoming prospect, Bailey dazzled in high school as a pace-oriented combo guard. Playing alongside Tyger Campbell this past season, his role changed. He was off the ball more, and he initially struggled as a catch-and-shoot player. This came around later in the season, though. His playmaking seemed a little over-eager, with his 2.2-to-2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio being underwhelming. Bailey would play too frantically when he got a chance to create offense. Defensively, his initial on-ball reactions could be slow, and with a 6’7” wingspan, he’s not tiny, but he can play narrow and get beat too easily. He made up for that, though, playing with a new-found intensity. Bailey would scrap on the glass, make plays, and dive for loose balls.

In Chicago, we got to see the full picture of Amari Bailey again. Through two scrimmages, he posted 14 assists to only five turnovers. He looked more composed and comfortable on the ball. His jumper is still a work in progress, but that’s the case for many players his age. It was a stark reminder that if a player can do something, just because they didn’t do it for one season doesn't mean that their skill disappeared. The reliable playmaker version of Bailey, paired with a competitive streak on defense, is highly intriguing.

[SWedd523]

So is he a PG?