After sitting out the entire training camp and the early part of the regular season, Tacko Fall finally made his home debut for the 76ers with his brief time on the court following the team's blowout win over the Raptors. As expected, the journeyman center drew a lot of cheers and sparked loud chants from the home crowd. However, his message to the squad after the game is not something that must not be taken lightly.
In an exchange with Philly Voice's Adam Aaronson, Fall noted that while he appreciated the warm reception he received from the Philadelphia faithful, he wants to be seen more as a "pretty good basketball player." The Senegalese big man stated that he is currently looked at like a "foster kid, Make-A-Wish kid who gets a few minutes at the end of games, when he is more than that.
Tacko Fall wants to be more than just a crowd darling for the 76ers
Fall, who has come back to the NBA hardwood after being absent for more than four years in the league and playing overseas instead, saw himself get a two-way contract with the 76ers after the preseason, despite not appearing in a single game at that point. He has finally turned in a clean bill of healthy just recently, but unfortunately, the coaching staff has not given him real reps on the floor.
The 76ers are in dire need of more depth at the center position, and for now, Fall has not been deemed a playable body, at least from the coaches' perspective. As such, his statement after the game could be him advocating for himself to get an opportunity to at least show what he can bring to the table.
Standing at 7'6", Fall is the tallest active player in the NBA. Those kinds of players are actually desirable nowadays, but with his limited mobility, he has more use on the 76ers as a situational sub more than an entrenched option.
Be that as it may, Fall has much more experience under his belt now compared to his previous stints with the Celtics and the Cavaliers. He has gained valuable mileage overseas, having played in both China and New Zealand. At this point, Philly could do far worse than try to give him some run to see if he can handle real minutes against quality competition in spurts.
it is admittedly difficult to look past Fall as someone who can stand out in ways beyond his towering presence. However, the 76ers have an actual need for a player like him, and without testing him out, there is really no way of knowing if he is up to the task.
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