Rutgers star facing backlash for NBA Combine comment

Rutgers star Ace Bailey is facing some backlash for a comment he made at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

Bailey, who is known for his penchant for taking — and making — tough shots, told reporters:

“What might be a bad shot to you, you don’t work on it. I work on it.”

He added: “[I] work out consistently. Two people guarding me in a workout, three people guarding me in a workout. Creating space to get a shot off.”

Later, in an ESPN interview, Bailey was asked what are his top two strengths and his weakness.

“I ain’t got no weaknesses and I got more than two strengths big dog,” he said.

Bailey, who averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists during his one-and-done year at Rutgers, is projected as the No. 3 pick to the Philadelphia 76ersby both ESPN.com and Tankathon.com.

His comment generated some backlash on social media from fans who question his shot selection -- and the way he discussed it at the Combine.

Still, Bailey, who measured 6-foot-7 1/2 without shoes at the Combine (as opposed to the 6-10 Rutgers listed him as), has also intrigued NBA scouts with his shot-making ability.

“At 6′10″, he’s a dynamic shot-maker with impressive range and athleticism,” NBA draft analyst Matt Babcock told NJ Advance Media earlier this season. “However, he lacks discipline and has plenty of room for development in terms of maturity. He also needs to get a lot stronger physically.”

ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla is a huge fan of the 18-year-old Bailey but also pointed out areas he can improve.

“He’s got flaws,” Fraschilla said. “You know, I wish he was a better passer, but what he’s doing is just mind-blowing for a kid this young.”

Among the knocks on Bailey are his handle and his willingness to pass, but he said at the Combine, “I feel like I’m a great passer. When it’s time to get a bucket, it’s time get a bucket. But I feel like I’m a good passer, though. I feel like I can get that pass off.”

Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell was unable to get his team to the NCAA Tournament despite having both Bailey and projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, but raved about Bailey during a recent interview with NJ Advance Media.

“If you want the most versatile guy in the draft, that’s Ace Bailey,” Pikiell said. “He could play four positions in time, maybe even a fifth, and he’s still growing, too, so tremendous.”

Pikiell also said he “absolutely” could see Bailey or Harper going No. 1 over Duke’s Cooper Flagg, although all signs point to the Dallas Mavericks taking Flagg at No. 1 and not trading the pick.

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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.