Put Tacko on Embiid Tonight!

[footey]

In tonight's game, I wish Brad would give Tacko serious minutes to defend Embiid. Our other centers are too small and weak to prevent Embiid from plowing into the paint, and the refs let him get away with this. 

This is a season where home court advantage does not mean very much.  Give Tacko the chance to learn how to defend against Embiid. It may not be pretty, but practice makes perfect.

We need to develop Tacko to handle the bigger stronger centers in the league like Embiid, Gobert, Joker, etc.

[wdleehi]

If it is an experiment, sure.   But I rather they approach it more like how they did in the playoffs.   

[wikkid1]

Wouldn’t mind Brad giving Tacko some min but I have a feeling the way the refs baby Embiid that he’d foul out in about 8 min.  Then again it’d be a chance to see how he looks against a big, strong center and it’d likely take some fouls away from our other centers.

[BitterJim]

This would work if Embiid was a Dwight-level free throw shooter, or if the plan was to tire out Embiid by having the 76ers go to him for 6 straight possessions.

Tacko is not quick enough to cover someone with the mobility and ball handling of Embiid, and isn't experienced enough to beat him with savvy. This would just result in 12 quick FTs.

I actually liked when we had Semi covering him outside the paint and then doubled him when he went inside. It's not as effective now that they have great 3 point shooters, but it can definitely work when they don't have a ton of shooting on the floor

[ederson]

And watch embiid break chamberlain's scoring record...

[wdleehi]

Tacko would have to just let Embiid shoot open threes. 


I mean in many ways that is a win for the Celtics.   It is if Embiid starts to drive and Tacko fouls him that this is a problem.

[gift]

I agree, give him a shot. Not sure it'll happen in meaningful minutes though.

I seem to recall a possession where Tacko did guard Embiid and made him take a really bad shot (though I think a foul was called). Not sure if I'm making that up.

[libermaniac]

Any idea why Timelord didn't play on Weds?  I thought he was activated.

[wdleehi]

Any idea why Timelord didn't play on Weds?  I thought he was activated.

A combination of being a bad matchup with Embiid and still not fully healthy after Covid?  Healthy enough for emergencies but not enough to be fully effective?

[Donoghus]

Any idea why Timelord didn't play on Weds?  I thought he was activated.

A combination of being a bad matchup with Embiid and still not fully healthy after Covid?  Healthy enough for emergencies but not enough to be fully effective?

I believe he was going to be on a minutes (10?) restriction and Theis was playing well enough that Brad decided not to insert him at all.

[Who]

Absolutely. I couldn't believe CBS didn't experiment with this in the last game when Embiid was dominating our small ball centers. This is exactly the time of the season when you try things like this in order to see how well they work (or not).

[CFAN38]

I like the idea of Tacko as a change of pace option vs Embiid. He can not stop him but as we saw in the preseason Tacko's presence take turns him into a jump shooter. I could see giving Tacko a shot at the end of quarters or if Embiid is going on a role.

[Darth_Yoda]

Any idea why Timelord didn't play on Weds?  I thought he was activated.

Brad didnt want to play him.

[smokeablount]

I'm in favor of giving it a go.  Brad experiments with all kinds of ridiculous lineups to start the year, many of which have little chance of working out, so why not try this?  It's not like Theis or Thompson were remotely effective, so I'd like to see Tacko and/or Rob.

[GreenWarrior]

Here's an idea, deny embiid the ball better. Pressure the ball handler more, make getting him the ball more difficult.