via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
One of the NBA’s most popular players is set to leave the league. Even though he has been a rotation player, this 7′6″ star is no stranger to the fans. In fact, he is remembered as the giant who made Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal seem Like Dwarves.
Tacko Fall, who was initially signed by the Boston Celtics after going undrafted in the NBA draft, is set to sign a one-year deal with the Chinese Basketball Association with Xinjiang. Fall became famous for his first name, where he was referenced to one of America’s favorite food items, Tacos.
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The big man was the tallest player in the league and was known for his ability to stand and dunk. Along with that, he was also an excellent shot blocker and rebounder. He even developed his three-point shot.
Tacko Fall is signing a 1-year deal in the Chinese Basketball Assocation, reports @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/H3fAtopudC
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 25, 2022
Tacko Fall made Shaquille O’Neal look small
Fall, who is 7-foot-six, made Shaq look like a dwarf. He met him during the NBA’s 75th-anniversary celebrations. Shaq came over to say hello to Kareem, who was sitting next to Tacko. And fans instantly spotted the height difference between the legends and the rookie.
Tacko played most of his NBA career in the G-League. He first signed the Celtics G-League team and after impressing them thoroughly, he was given a two-way contract. He averaged a few minutes per game, but every time he was on it, the fans would be up on their feet. The Celtics fans were so in love with Fall, that they chanted his name so that he would get into the game.
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And the Celtics’ head coach at that time, Brad Stevens, obliged the crowd and inserted Fall into the game.
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He was popular among players too. In the 2020 NBA All-Star dunk contest, Aaron Gordon requested Tacko to help him in his final dunk. Even though Tacko was hesitant, the crowd urged the young kid on and he obliged. And Gordon jumped over Fall and dunked the ball. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough, and the judges awarded it to Derrick Jones in one of the most controversial decisions ever.
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Undoubtedly, the league will surely miss Tacko. He was a fan favorite all across the league and hopefully, we get to see him return and become a star in the NBA. As for now, Fall is headed to China.
