Cleveland Cavaliers: The Tacko Fall Era Is Just A Publicity Stunt
The Cleveland Cavaliers have an outside shot at the playoffs this year. If hell does indeed freeze over, and the Cavs make the postseason without LeBron, it will assuredly have nothing to do with Tacko Fall.
I despise Cavalier fans who chant, “MVP” and “We Want Tacko” during home games. You fans are the reason Dan Gilbert keeps up with his charade. The signing of Fall has been nothing more than a publicity stunt for Gilbert to attract a more casual Cavs fan to the game. Fall is a 7’6 monster that the less than knowledgeable attendee at a Cleveland game sees and says, “that’s what a basketball player should look like.”
I assure you, while Fall might look like Wilt Chamberlain in height, he plays a lot more like Pee-Wee Herman. Fall is one of the most uncoordinated players on a basketball court. His main purpose is to stand and use his height for easy rebounds. He is not an athletic player, nor is he fundamentally sound. All Fall is good for on this team is so fans can measure up to his cardboard cutout on the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse concourse.
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Does anyone remember Mfiondu Kabengele? He was a former 1st round pick (27th overall, 2019) the Cavs signed last season. Kabengele was a project, he had a lot of rough parts. Kabengele was also athletic, was graceful enough to come off screens and roll to the basket. In a way, everything Tacko Fall isn’t. This is what made it so hard to fathom why Fall (who’s a G-League player), was kept over Kabengele. Neither are going to make an impact this year, so why make that decision?
Again, this all comes down to money. Dan Gilbert will do anything to increase his net worth. As any NBA owner, the goal is to make money while putting out a contending roster. Fall helps with the money, as he’s a sideshow attraction for the fans to come and marvel at. I’ll never fathom how he helps the Cleveland Cavaliers contend. Fall isn’t a veteran locker room presence, and if you want to mentor Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen (who was taken in 2017), I’m pretty certain Fall isn’t that guy (Ed Davis is).
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The almighty dollar is what gave Fall a roster spot. Gilbert sees the money signs in his eyes with Fall. He knows fans want to see him, and this is why owners such as Gilbert fail. Your main focus is putting out a contending roster. Instead, he wants to bring in the casual fanbase by promoting an undrafted and uncoordinated big man to the less-informed (or stupid) fan. This is an issue with Gilbert, who has always had a massive ego (LeBron letter).
I don’t think the 6th big man on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster really makes a difference as to who it actually is. It’s more telling of how the Cavs want to develop for their future. You serve a better shot at success putting Kabengele in the G-League than Fall. The chance on Fall becoming an All-Star or All-Pro in any aspect of his game is non-existent. Kabengele you could make a case for some aspects of his game to be at a high NBA level.
It’s just not sitting right with me that Fall has a spot on this roster. Fans love this sort of comedy act on the court. It’s not funny, nor is it productive to team success. Tacko Fall is a publicity stunt, noting more.
Image Source:Jason Miller/Getty Images
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
