Tacko Fall will have a place in the NBA.
Former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy backed the 7-foot-6 prospect’s credentials Tuesday during an appearance on Orlando, Fla., radio station FM 96.9 The Game. Van Gundy believes Fall will fill a role on an NBA team because players with a traditional big man’s skill set still can help win games in today’s league.
“I think he’s going to get opportunities, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Van Gundy said. “Even though the league has evolved away from big guys being central figures, there’s still a role for them, particularly on the defensive end protecting the rim.”
Van Gundy’s view on Fall’s NBA potential is similar to that of Boston Celtics summer league coach Scott Morrison, who suggested last week the team could use the 23-year-old center as a “specialty player” or role player who does the aforementioned tasks on the court.
Fall signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Celtics last month after he went undrafted. He averaged 7.2 points and four rebounds over 12.6 minutes per game in five summer league contests, impressing current and former Celtics with his size, mobility and eagerness to learn.
Fall also became a cult hero among fans in attendance at summer league games, but Van Gundy is less interested in the meteoric celebrity status than he is in the player’s potential to forge an NBA career.
