Clawing his way to the NBA
Fall wants basketball, not publicity, to define him
Tacko Fall has worked hard to get to this point, not only as a rookie promising enough to earn a two-way contract with the Celtics, but as someone who understands his own marketability.
Well before the Celtics signed him to a two-way contract on Oct. 13, Fall embraced his promotional role. He reported for duty at an MSPCC event at Canobie Lake Park last summer, folded himself into a hollowedout, partitioned log and made a big splash on the park’s popular Flume Ride. He’s subsequently made two appearances for swim lessons — a second with teammates — at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club, and was on hand for one of the Celtics’ home court makeover events in Franklin.
Some players might glaze over after receiving even a fraction of this off-court exposure, but Fall has a great understanding of his value in the promotional end of the game. That’s a good thing, because in terms of community exposure, he’s about to become a great asset for the Maine Red Claws.
Fall can spend a maximum of 45 days with the Celtics, and understands that his community responsibilities may play an even larger role in his life once he starts competing at the Portland Expo.
But Fall wants to make it clear why he’ll be hopping on the Portland shuttle once the G-League season begins on Nov. 9. As a raw talent who believes he’s only scratched the surface of his basketball ability, Fall wants to be known as much more than a promotional attraction.
“Honestly I try not to focus on that too much, because it can cause a lot of distractions,” Fall said of the off-court attention he routinely draws.
“I’m aware that I draw a lot of attention, and it will be good to promote the Red Claws and the G-League, but at the same time — I just don’t want to be looked at as that,” he said. “I’ve really worked hard to get to this point, and I don’t just want to be looked at as someone who’s just a promotional boost. I’m going there to get better, and that’s where my mind will be. Get better, do good, and get ready for what’s coming next.”
Some things, though, also can’t be helped. Red Claws President Dajuan Eubanks has some great on-court visions of what will be possible this season, like the crowd-pleasing lob connection between Fall and his fellow two-way rookie — point guard Tremont Waters, a dynamic talent in his own right.
Eubanks already has evidence that in Fall, he has a great promotional tool whose mere connection to the team has boosted season ticket sales. It’s a phenomenon that has been apparent since Fall’s earliest steps as a Celtic.
There was his flight with coaches and teammates to Las Vegas for the summer league last July, when all the 7-foot-5 center had to do was walk through the airport terminal. People — most of whom had no idea of who he was — gradually started to follow. By the time Fall reached baggage claim, he had a small crowd in tow.
“I’ve heard that name — Pied Piper — used when people talk about him,” Eubanks said last week. “There hasn’t been a day that goes by when I’m out doing business that someone hasn’t asked when Tacko Fall is going to be up here in Maine.”
When the Celtics announced two weeks ago that they had signed Fall to a two-way contract, the Red Claws staff noticed an immediate bump in season ticket sales. Eubanks said that numbers for those sales are unavailable at the moment, but considering that the Red Claws generally fill from 85 to 95 percent of seats in the 2,400-seat Expo Center, and sold out 12 times last season, numbers could break through the ceiling this year.
“I think where we’re really anticipating an increase is when individual tickets go on sale Nov. 1,” said Eubanks.
But for all of these promotional benefits, Eubanks has complete understanding of Fall’s reason for being in Maine.
“It seems he has a tremendous amount of potential, and the right work ethic,” said Eubanks. “We will be balancing things with Tacko, because the purpose of him coming here is to develop. We also look into his development off the court, but he’s here to get better as a player.”
That, after all, was the main reason for giving Fall a two-way contract instead of the final spot on the 15-man roster. Fall, for all of his promise, needs a steady diet of games, not bench time.
And as long as the basketball part of his life is getting the proper attention, Fall will continue to wholeheartedly embrace this wild phenomenon.
“I’m used to it, and if it starts to get to be too much I’ll probably say, not right now,” Fall said of future promotional requests. “As of now it’s not anything I can’t handle. I’ll be locked in when it’s time to be locked in.
“I’ve heard great things about Portland — the food is great, the people are great, the fans are really involved. The Celtics will try to do their best to accommodate me and then we’ll see.”
Celtics timeline
Wednesday, 7:30 vs. Milwaukee – The Celtics’ earlyearly swing against playoff opponents continues with the Bucks, tops on the list of most to win the Eastern Conference this season, continues with a game here after a three-day gap between games. Giannis Antetokounmpo is only getting better, as the Celtics know after last season’s conference semifinals crash.
Friday, 7:30 vs. New York – It’s the Marcus Morris homecoming, with the former Celtics forward now in a prominent role on a rebuilding team. Rookie R.J. Barrett had an impressive exhibition season and, as seems to have been true for a couple of seasons now, the Knicks are still trying to iron out their point guard situation.