Tacko Fall(merged threads)

[fairweatherfan]

Is it absolutely crazy of me to think that Tacko Fall is a player?

Generally, I'm not a hype man. I wasn't a believer in Fall in college or the draft process.

Summer league made me pay attention to him, but I still knew that he was playing against scrubs, not NBA talent.

Seeing him play against the Hornets, I came away impressed. Not HOF impressed, but legit NBA player impressed. I never really felt that way about Yabu, even though I wanted to.

He can move and he has good hands. He is active. He makes plays. He's not passive. Stuff happens when he plays.

He looks a lot better than I thought he'd be at this level when he played in college, but I'd be careful getting too far ahead of things. He hasn't experienced real NBA physicality and speed yet. But the fact that he seems like he could have a chance to be a player speaks really really well of how he's impressed the last few months.

[hpantazo]

How did Takco go undrafted? He clearly has potential in a league lacking big man talent.

Also, how did Bol Bol fall to the 44th pick? Wasn't he supposed to be a lottery pick not that long ago?

[saltlover]

How did Takco go undrafted? He clearly has potential in a league lacking big man talent.

Also, how did Bol Bol fall to the 44th pick? Wasn't he supposed to be a lottery pick not that long ago?

With regards to Tacko, there was a question of mobility and whether that will prevent him from being functional in the modern NBA.  I wanted us to pick him and am happy he fell through the draft, so I don’t completely share those concerns, but I think they’re legitimate.

As to Bol Bol, there are both very real injury concerns as well as on-court energy concerns.  I would have, and still would, take Tacko over Bol Bol.

[knuckleballer]

I was really surprised by him in the NCAA Tournament when he was defending Zion.  He made things difficult for Zion who went off for 29 points on 12/13 shooting last night.  It may take a year or two, but I think he can become a useful player even if it's just a few situational minutes per game. 

I think the key with him is that he's gotten stronger in his legs and core since early college years which has helped improve his mobility and even coordination.

[CptZoogs]

Haven't read through this whole thread.  How do people think he stacks up against Boban, comparison wise?  Boban seems to have established a role in this league, but I can't say I have watched too much of him.  As for Tako, one of my concerns during summer league was his reaction time, especially on the boards.  He moves around the court ok, but there is the issue of inertia.  I think he can certainly find a role on a team with some more seasoning.

[footey]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

[hpantazo]

Haven't read through this whole thread.  How do people think he stacks up against Boban, comparison wise?  Boban seems to have established a role in this league, but I can't say I have watched too much of him.  As for Tako, one of my concerns during summer league was his reaction time, especially on the boards.  He moves around the court ok, but there is the issue of inertia.  I think he can certainly find a role on a team with some more seasoning.

I haven't seen enough yet of him, but my impression is he's quicker than Boban, although Boban is a much more efficient scorer, at least at the moment. He seems to me that he can be a much better defender than Boban if he gains a lot more experience and feel for the game. Although those are two big IFs. Boban's biggest issue is endurance, and pick and roll defense. I'm not sure how Fall is in terms of endurance, and he needs work on pick and roll defense.

You just simply can't have either of those two on the floor for very long in today's NBA, where teams will just kill you with wide open outside shooting.

[Surferdad]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

If he can help with Embiid but maybe not so much Giannis, I would still be inclined to keep him.  He will most likely get the lion's share of his minutes against backups, not either of these guys.  The matchup problems he creates are going to frustrate opposing teams.

[libermaniac]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

If he can help with Embiid but maybe not so much Giannis, I would still be inclined to keep him.  He will most likely get the lion's share of his minutes against backups, not either of these guys.  The matchup problems he creates are going to frustrate opposing teams.

How about if they only used him to bother inbounds plays at the end of quarters/games? Wouldn’t even just that justify the 15th roster spot?

[moiso]

Haven't read through this whole thread.  How do people think he stacks up against Boban, comparison wise?  Boban seems to have established a role in this league, but I can't say I have watched too much of him.  As for Tako, one of my concerns during summer league was his reaction time, especially on the boards.  He moves around the court ok, but there is the issue of inertia.  I think he can certainly find a role on a team with some more seasoning.

I haven't seen enough yet of him, but my impression is he's quicker than Boban, although Boban is a much more efficient scorer, at least at the moment. He seems to me that he can be a much better defender than Boban if he gains a lot more experience and feel for the game. Although those are two big IFs. Boban's biggest issue is endurance, and pick and roll defense. I'm not sure how Fall is in terms of endurance, and he needs work on pick and roll defense.

You just simply can't have either of those two on the floor for very long in today's NBA, where teams will just kill you with wide open outside shooting.

Good post.  I think Boban is a VERY good all around offensive player and there is no way Tacko could ever approach his level.  I really think Boban would have been a star and possibly a superstar if he played in an earlier era.  I think Tacko’s absolute ceiling is a very poor man’s Mark Eaton regardless of what era we are talking about.

[hpantazo]

Haven't read through this whole thread.  How do people think he stacks up against Boban, comparison wise?  Boban seems to have established a role in this league, but I can't say I have watched too much of him.  As for Tako, one of my concerns during summer league was his reaction time, especially on the boards.  He moves around the court ok, but there is the issue of inertia.  I think he can certainly find a role on a team with some more seasoning.

I haven't seen enough yet of him, but my impression is he's quicker than Boban, although Boban is a much more efficient scorer, at least at the moment. He seems to me that he can be a much better defender than Boban if he gains a lot more experience and feel for the game. Although those are two big IFs. Boban's biggest issue is endurance, and pick and roll defense. I'm not sure how Fall is in terms of endurance, and he needs work on pick and roll defense.

You just simply can't have either of those two on the floor for very long in today's NBA, where teams will just kill you with wide open outside shooting.

Good post.  I think Boban is a VERY good all around offensive player and there is no way Tacko could ever approach his level.  I really think Boban would have been a star and possibly a superstar if he played in an earlier era.  I think Tacko’s absolute ceiling is a very poor man’s Mark Eaton regardless of what era we are talking about.

Agreed! Mark Eaton is an excellent comparison as a best case scenario.

[KG Living Legend]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

 He's never guarding Gianni's one on one. The idea is If Tacko can anchor himself in the paint before Gianni's gets a full head of steam.

 In that regard he will be able to slow down Gianni's from dunking Everytime in the paint.

[RockinRyA]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

 He's never guarding Gianni's one on one. The idea is If Tacko can anchor himself in the paint before Gianni's gets a full head of steam.

 In that regard he will be able to slow down Gianni's from dunking Everytime in the paint.

So he is gonna leave Lopez wide open from three?

[Somebody]

Tacko gives me some hope defending against the strong post up guys like Embiid.  He will need help, but not as much as some other guys will. 

Giannis is too quick for Tacko to handle, unless it is for post ups, which GA doesn't do a lot of currently.

 He's never guarding Gianni's one on one. The idea is If Tacko can anchor himself in the paint before Gianni's gets a full head of steam.

 In that regard he will be able to slow down Gianni's from dunking Everytime in the paint.

So he is gonna leave Lopez wide open from three?

I'd have him guarding Giannis ala Baynes tbh, just sag off of him and let your wings bother Giannis via help defense if he decides to shoot.

[Somebody]

Haven't read through this whole thread.  How do people think he stacks up against Boban, comparison wise?  Boban seems to have established a role in this league, but I can't say I have watched too much of him.  As for Tako, one of my concerns during summer league was his reaction time, especially on the boards.  He moves around the court ok, but there is the issue of inertia.  I think he can certainly find a role on a team with some more seasoning.

I haven't seen enough yet of him, but my impression is he's quicker than Boban, although Boban is a much more efficient scorer, at least at the moment. He seems to me that he can be a much better defender than Boban if he gains a lot more experience and feel for the game. Although those are two big IFs. Boban's biggest issue is endurance, and pick and roll defense. I'm not sure how Fall is in terms of endurance, and he needs work on pick and roll defense.

You just simply can't have either of those two on the floor for very long in today's NBA, where teams will just kill you with wide open outside shooting.

Good post.  I think Boban is a VERY good all around offensive player and there is no way Tacko could ever approach his level.  I really think Boban would have been a star and possibly a superstar if he played in an earlier era.  I think Tacko’s absolute ceiling is a very poor man’s Mark Eaton regardless of what era we are talking about.

So All-NBA caliber defense (Eaton was a DPOY level defender)? Sign me up!