Heading into his first NBA training camp, Celtics center Tacko Fall wants to prove that he has more to offer than just his 7’7″ frame, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. Fall signed an Exhibit 10 contract after being passed over in this year’s draft. It carries a small signing bonus, but no guarantees beyond that.
Having to prove himself is a familiar situation for Fall, who wasn’t heavily recruited by colleges and had to go through the NBA G League Elite camp to get an invitation to this year’s draft combine. He made an impression there, setting records for tallest height in shoes (7-7), wingspan (8-2 ¼) and standing reach (10-2 ½), but it wasn’t enough to get drafted.
“I know what I am fighting for,” Fall said. “That hasn’t changed since I got here. I know what I am capable of and where I want to be and where I need to be. I’m gonna fight every day to be in that position and stay there. I love the game of basketball and there’s no better place to do it than the NBA. Night in, night out, play against the best players in the world. For me, that’s fun.”
There’s more today from Boston:
- Two years have passed since the deal that brought Kyrie Irving from Cleveland, and the Celtics are still the clear winners of that trade, Blakely writes in a separate story. Even though Irving signed with the Nets last month, Blakely believes it was a good gamble to take. Isaiah Thomas, who was one of the centerpieces of the deal, was injured more severely than anyone realized at the time, while moving Jae Crowder cleared playing time for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
- After a season filled with locker room tension, Brown is looking forward to a fresh start that’s free from “politics,” tweets Michael Lee of The Athletic. Brown was among the players who were asked to adjust their roles last year as Irving and Gordon Hayward returned from injuries. “My whole mantra for this year is, ‘Just hoop,’” Brown said. “I’m just going to come out and try to play, be myself and hopefully I’m allowed to do that. I don’t want to put no expectations on it. I don’t want no politics. I just want to play basketball.”
- Brad Wanamaker opted to re-sign with the Celtics last month because he believes the roster turnover will provide more opportunities, tweets Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. The point guard got into just 36 games during his rookie season. “Everything was pretty much set in stone (last year), and I was really working myself in,” he said. “Now it’s kind of an open window for some minutes in certain places.”
So two years later the Celtics are the winners of the trade because this guy liked the trade when it was made. Incredible analysis.
There were no winners in the Kyrie/Isaiah Thomas trade, only losers.
Cavs could be a winner once they ditch Thompson and give Zizic some playing time….Cavs also got the 1st round pick that turned into Sexton….if Sexton and Zizic develop into role players the Cavs will win this trade easily….and just to clarify before anyone trolls me, I am a Celtics fan admitting we lost the trade
I agree, Cavs win the trade regardless but it was a gamble worth taking for Celtics.
I’m a sixers fan, but I would say the Celtics still are winners. You got two years from a superstar. Had the Celtics kept the 8th pick, there is no guarantee they take Sexton. I’d think they probably sign a PG instead of trust a rookie since they are vying for a title. Who knows who the Celtics would have taken but the fact that they didn’t win a title with Irving doesn’t make it a loss
You build through the draft. So I disagree
Well getting Kyrie caused a couple other Free agents to sign in Boston so I think Boston won the trade
This trade turned out to be an inconsequential deal… historically speaking. It only means anything if Sexton makes some huge strides, but I don’t see it. only a few of these “great” Danny ainge trades bore fruit.
Kaylee Irving was so cute when she played
Sorry Jaylen but if people are involved then there will be politics but losing Kyrie is a step in the right direction. Team chemistry has to be built game by game because it involves trusting your teammates and dealing with conflict in a healthy manner.
I really just wanna talk about how we should keep tacko Fall
You have to make the trade the Celtics did. Kyrie may not be a player who can lead a team but it was worth the gamble with Horford and Heyward there. We will never know what would have happen if the injuries did not happen. We will see what Kyrie learned as he leads the Nets this year.