Tacko Fall an NBA All-Star? He's getting a surprising amount of fan support
He's an undrafted rookie who has played a total of 11 minutes all season, but Tacko Fall is among the leaders in the fan voting for this year's NBA All-Star Game.
While Giannis Antetokuonmpo and Joel Embiid predictably lead the way among Eastern Conference forwards, Fall is in sixth place — one spot behind Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum and ahead of the Celtics' other starting forward, Gordon Hayward.
The gangly 7-foot-5 rookie from Central Florida has quickly become a fan favorite in Boston, spurring chants of "SUB IN TACKO!" directed at coach Brad Stevens whenever the Celtics have a big lead late in a game.
Stevens finally obliged — with a little extra dramatic flair — when he put Fall into a game to a standing ovation as the Celtics were leading the Detroit Pistons on December 20.
Fall scored five points in five minutes of action against the Pistons and four points in the Celtics' next game against the Charlotte Hornets, but has since been sent back to the Maine Red Claws of the G-League, where he's spent the bulk of his first professional season.
In between, Fall had just enough time to serve as a guest conductor for the Boston Pops, leading the orchestra through a rollicking version of "Sleigh Ride."
No wonder so many fans think he should be an All-Star. What other candidate has that on his resume?