A Lesson in Defense from Devin Booker
Phoenix — For Devin Booker, the accolades continue to pile up. The Phoenix Suns guard boasts an impressive resume that includes an appearance in the 2021 NBA Finals, multiple All-Star selections, and All-NBA honors. Recently, he added another feather to his cap: delivering a stark “welcome to the league” moment to rookie Ace Bailey.
Ace Bailey’s Eye-Opening Experience
The No. 5 overall pick, now with the Utah Jazz, shared his experience on The Old Man and The Three podcast. Bailey recounted a pivotal moment during his early NBA career when he faced Booker head-on.
“Will [Hardy] took me out in the first five minutes. I wasn’t playing defense,” Bailey said, reflecting on the game. “I was like, Wow, if you don’t play defense you can’t play at all.”
It was a stark realization for the young guard. Facing Booker in his first game was a wake-up call that underscored the importance of defensive commitment in the NBA.
The Reality Check Against a Star
Bailey described his initial approach to the matchup, highlighting his belief that watching film would be sufficient preparation. “I should have prepared the night before and the night before that,” he admitted. As he quickly discovered, the physicality and intensity of the game took him by surprise.
In that game against Phoenix, Bailey found himself tasked with guarding Booker—a challenge that proved daunting. “It’s D Book, so coming in not knowing the physicality of the game—it’s just different. I had to adjust to that,” he said.
This encounter with one of the league’s elite scorers served as a crucial lesson for Bailey, reinforcing the fact that in the NBA, there are no shortcuts to success.
A Moment Captured
The moment was so impactful that it resonated beyond the court. A clip of Bailey’s admission about his early exit has circulated widely, illustrating the steep learning curve faced by rookies stepping into the NBA arena.
“Welcome to the NBA,” indeed. For Ace Bailey, the experience was a reminder that every game is a battle, and the stakes are high, especially when going up against a player like Devin Booker.
