Boston Celtics: Tacko Fall proving to be more than a storybook giant

Boston Celtics big man Tacko Fall rose to the occasion in the team’s 116-107 victory over the Washington Wizards, earning praise from Brad Stevens.

If the TD Garden was filled with fans on Friday night, the chants of “Tacko, Tacko” would be echoing throughout the area and surrounding streets as Tacko Fall got some meaningful playing time in helping the Boston Celtics down the Washington Wizards on a cold January night.

But, due to COVID-19, fans could only applaud the 7-foot-5 gentle giant on Twitter and social media outlets alike.  And it was due to COVID-19 that the legend of Tacko Fall provided the team with 19 solid minutes off the bench.

With Tristian Thompson, Robert Williams and Grant Williams all out due to the illness that continues to plague the nation. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens needed the giant wonder to provide a presence left void by his reliable big men and to everyone’s delight, Fall came through.

He only scored 4 points, but his 8 rebounds and 3 blocks (one loud block on Russell Westbrook as highlighted below) helped set the tone of the game and turned a close first half game into what was turning into a big-time rout.

Don’t let that nice smile fool you, the storybook giant showed he can impact a game on this level making a believer out of his coach, who praised his performance following the game.

"“I thought he was great tonight.  I thought he in a lot of ways changed the game there when he came in in the first quarter it was back and forth,” Stevens said following the game, as transcribed by NBC Sports Boston.  “One of the things we were missing without those guys here is some physicality and some rim protection.  He provided both of those things in a big way, so I thought he was terrific.”More from Chowder and Champions3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster DeadlineMLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season"

The Boston Celtics will need a lot more of Tacko Fall in the coming week as most of their front court is expected to be out at least that long.  So, it is good to see the big man get minutes and provide that rim protection and rebounding the team definitely needed going into Friday night’s victory.

Tacko Fall grateful in the Boston Celtics believing in him

While the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown fueled the 116-107 victory, it was Tacko Fall who left fans feeling good about the victory, despite the team nearly blowing a 28-point lead.  For one night at least, Tacko Time wasn’t just a garbage time delight.  Oh no, he was a game changer and that folks comes from the team believing in him as he highlighted following the game.

"“To have people that have believed in you from the first day that they met you, the whole organization has,” Fall said, via NESN.  “From my teammates, to the coaches, to the front office, to the workers, everybody.  They all believed in what I could and how I can help them.  They stayed patient with me, and that’s something that I’m really thankful for.  I’m a big believer that nothing happens out of coincidence.  I feel like it was God who put me here and He put me with the right people.  I’m in the right hands and they have constantly pushed me to become a better player and I’m really thankful for it.”"

Things can only continue to go up from here for Tacko Fall in his second season in the NBA.  With the belief in him growing, he will certainly earn more minutes with more performances like Friday night against the Wizards.

Undrafted, the Boston Celtics big man has been a storybook wonder.  But the Legend of Tacko Fall is much more than that.  He is a player earning his way to viable playing time in the NBA.