If you followed any story line during the NBA Summer League “season”, you no doubt heard the name Tacko Fall. There are people with high hopes and then there are the naysayers. Which side of the ball are you on?
Born in Senegal in 1995, Tacko moved to the United States when he was 16 years old. Originally a soccer player, Tacko didn’t turn to basketball until later when he trained with Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest centers the NBA has ever seen. With his height (7 feet 7 inches) it didn’t take long for Fall to be an effective player.
Tacko went to the University of Central Florida from 2015-2019 and during his senior year averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. How will this translate to an NBA game? WILL IT turn into an NBA game?
NBA Summer League game logs with the Boston Celtics below:
Game 1: 10 minutes, 3-4 field goals, 0-2 free throws, 6 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul
Game 2: 11 minutes, 5-5 field goals, 2-2 free throws, 12 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 foul
Game 3: 16 minutes, 2-4 field goals, 0-2 free throws, 4 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 3 fouls
Game 4: 17 minutes, 6-8 field goals, 0-0 free throws, 12 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 fouls
Game 5: 6 minutes, 1-1 field goals, 0-0 free throws, 2 pts, 2 rebounds, 0 blocks, 2 fouls
So that’s what we’re working with. Crazy stats? No, of course not. Respectable stats? Certainly. I’m not saying the guy is a superstar, but could he be a serviceable NBA player? I think so. Plus the fact that he seems to already have a cult-like following. Everyone chants to put the big man in.
Look at the picture below. The guy is flat footed on his right foot, knees bent, elbows bent and he’s still almost dunking the ball. WOW!
One thing is for sure, I’ll enjoy watching what becomes of the legend of Tacko Fall.
Nightly Unwind 
I don’t know man…he is a nice story, and you “can’t coach height”, but…I don’t know. You would think a guy of his height would dominate the level of competition he faced in college…and he didn’t. So how does that bode well for the NBA? He went undrafted, and even stayed the whole 4 years in school, so most front office types would probably say it doesn’t bode well. Although I will admit I don’t watch a ton of college ball, who had even heard of him before last years’ NCAA tourney? Sure, undrafted guys have made it. Late bloomer? Maybe. Gets pro coaching and takes the next step? Perhaps. I’m not counting on it. But if was able to make himself into a 10 minute a game kind of specialist or something, I suppose that would have to be considered a success, no? Ultimately, you are correct though, it should be an interesting follow at a minimum.
LikeLike
Definitely not an All-NBA player, but still need to factor in his late start. Clearly is still in the development stage of his career.
Check out these numbers of part time/full time 7’6″ guys:
Shawn Bradley, 8.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 bpg averaging 23.5 mpg;
Manute Bol, 2.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.3 bpg averaging 18.7 mpg.
These guys combined made a total salary in excess of $75 million over both careers (90/10 in favor of Bradley).
I think Tacko could realistically be at least a 5 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 bpg over 10-12 minutes. Probably give you a few too many fouls, but he’s still learning. He’s still raw. The marketing alone should be worth a team signing him to an NBA deal. He’ll sell jerseys and his name sells “Tacko Tuesday Nights”. Perhaps the TD Garden can become the Taco Bell Garden…only gotta change one letter lol cuz the branding is already there lol
Regardless…I’ll be cheering for him. Then again, I like Stiemsma too lol
LikeLike