Tacko Fall, the newest member of the Boston Celtics, returned home to Africa this week to take part in a camp that works with the country’s top 17-and-under Basketball players. Joining him was fellow Atlantic Division center, Joel Embiid.
On July 26th, the 7-7 wunderkind, Tacko Fall, signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics. With this, the center will be given a chance to fight for the final roster spot on the team heading into the 2019-20 season.
Though Fall may be one of this year’s most talked about rookies, the former UCF Knight is far from being considered a finished product. Any development in his game from here until the time training camp starts in late September could be the difference between collecting minutes in the NBA or in the G-League.
It appears as though the center understands this to be the case for, prior to the start of the Las Vegas Summer League, Fall had reportedly spoke of his desire to work out with Philadelphia 76ers All-Star big man, Joel Embiid. Now, it appears Boston’s newest signee’s wish has been granted.
Recently, Fall took part in a Basketball Without Boarders program held in Senegal, Africa, working with the country’s top players. Accompanying him were NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo and, you guessed it, Joel “The Process” Embiid.
Through mutual trainer, Drew Hanlen, the pair was able to get in a quick workout during their spare time on Wednesday. For Fall, the event seemingly couldn’t have been any better.
"“That was really awesome, too,” Fall said. “We worked on pretty much a lot of work on the post, and every now and then he would stop and try to show me some things and try to tell me about the game in the NBA. So I thought that was pretty cool, especially coming from him, one of the best, if not the best center in the NBA right now.”"
Frankly, this should come as exciting news for Boston Celtics fans. Fall is completely right: Embiid is arguably, if not the best center in the league. Anything that can be learned from Philadelphia’s franchise cornerstone can only help improve the rookie’s game.
Fall has claimed he has been studying the 25-year-old’s play closely throughout the past several years. While one can learn a lot from just watching the two-time All-Star perform on screen, being able to actually meet and work with the center is simply the superior way of improving one’s game.
Embiid is a fantastic mix of old school and new school big man play, as he possesses phenomenal footwork down low and can step out and knock down a 15 to 22 foot jumper with relative ease.
Though we don’t expect Fall to be shooting many 3’s to start his NBA career, the assumption is the big man will spend a majority of his playing time in the paint. While his height alone should automatically make him a match-up nightmare for a majority of defenders, adding a solid post game to his arsenal should make the big man that much more dangerous.
Embiid’s post work is truly a thing of beauty. From his spin moves all the way to his pump fakes, the center knows how to keep a defender on his toes.
While only for one session, it appears Fall may have learned a thing or two from his fellow Atlantic Division center, as he was reportedly “very patient” with his time, and answered all questions asked by the 23-year-old.
Now look, do I believe this one meeting will turn Tacko Fall into a 7-7 version of Joel Embiid? Of course not — though, my god, can you imagine? However, what this does mean is Fall may have been able to learn a few things from, arguably, the leagues best center.
For a big man fighting for a shot at achieving his NBA dream, this one little workout can go a long way.
A relationship between the two centers could potentially lead to more workouts in the future. With more workouts could come significant improvements in Tacko Fall’s game.
Though it may not be perceived as “big”, this should be exciting news for Celtics fans.