Do you need more Tacko Fall? Your answers lie within


Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters re-enact famous Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues photo | Photo: Getty Images via Maine Red Claws

The Boston Celtics G-League affiliate, Maine Red Claws, will have all their home games televised on NBC Sports Boston. That equates to 24 games additional games of basketball. Your first opportunity to watch the developmental-league Celtics will be tonight at 7 pm.


I admit, I’m not going to watch every game of the Crustacean Nation, but I like the option. Especially on a night like tonight with no plans. With the Celtics playing late on the West Coast, a little Tacko Fall (oxymoron) may be the pregame that we didn’t know we needed.

“This partnership gives both Red Claws and Celtics fans an opportunity to closely follow their G League team throughout the season, while providing an up-close view of the development of next-generation Celtics players,” said Celtics Team President Rich Gotham.

The Red Claws have played in just one game so far, which they won. The team features some players that we hope to see play for the Celtics in years to come.

Tacko Fall, a man that needs no introduction, is learning the nuances of the game for Maine. In his first game, he had 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks on 66.7% shooting. His size is going to be an asset and he should be able to put up solid numbers.


The other Celtics player on a two-way contract, Tremont Waters, had a very impressive first game for the Red Claws. He finished with 28 points while shooting an impressive 7/11 from three-point range. He also chipped in four rebounds and three assists. Waters, although small, is a pretty good defender. He is quick and can get his hands on the ball, but he did have some foul trouble in his first game as he committed five personal fouls. He’s going to really dominate the G-League this year, but he will need to work on the little things so he can find a bench spot on an NBA roster.

The Celtics lottery pick, Romeo Langford, has been up and down from the big team and the developmental team. He is on an NBA contract, but he is getting much needed reps with Maine. In an interview with 98.5 Sports Hub, Danny Ainge is looking forward to the development of Langford, but admits he “has some growing up to do.”


In the Red Claws first game, Langford lit it up to the tune of 27 points. He shot 10/15 from the field and added five rebounds and six (!) blocks. His talent and promise exceeds most of what the G-League has to offer, but this is a good opportunity for him to play and work on his game. The alternative of him plastered to the Celtics bench is not going to help his full development.


Someone else to keep an eye on that you may not have heard about is Yante Meton. He scored 24 points in 20 minutes, while adding five boards in the first contest. The 6’7” wing played his college ball at Georgia and turned 23 years old over the summer. After being undrafted in 2018, he averaged 23.5 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat affiliate) last season. As we’ve seen with Javonte Green, some guys develop later and can eventually carve out a role on an NBA team even if they aren’t viewed as a top prospect.

When I’m watching prospects play, I try to find the plays that will translate at the professional level. The most athletic player in high school at averages 12 dunks per game because he is playing against inferior competition doesn’t impress me. I want to see if they can do the little things that translate. Anyone can stroke a three if no one is near them, but can they knock down the contested jumper? You have to watch a little closer to find out if their game will translate. If you’re not into that, that’s fine too. You can also just soak up the fun of Tacko Fall running up and down the court looking like me playing on a Fisher Price hoop with five year olds. To each his/her own.

You can follow me on Twitter @Mike_Auc.
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