NBA 2019 Briefs | Tacko Fall pulls off iconic image, Simmons jinxes star, Star’s scary flight

Now we already know that Tacko Fall is tall but the giant basketball star has recreated one of the sport’s most iconic images.

Tacko Fall is tall.

The NBA’s favourite big man is at it again with Tacko Fall recreating one of the most iconic big man photos in the league’s history.

Fall, who has made it onto an NBA court for a brief cameo, is set to play G-League for the Maine Red Claws.

While he dwarfs most people, Fall was paired with Tremont Waters, who is 51cm shorter than Fall and his new teammate.

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While Waters is 178cm tall, he was playing the role of Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player who ever played in the NBA at 160cm tall.

Fall was subbed in for Manute Bol, who is even taller than Fall at 231cm (Fall comes in at 229cm).

Despite the smaller gap in height, it’s a pretty good shout.

Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters reenacted the Manute Bol-Muggsy Bogues picture 📸

(via @maineredclaws) pic.twitter.com/AJ08idlZvP

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 9, 2019

This is too cool. Tacko Fall and Tremont Waters re-enacted this iconic pic 💯. pic.twitter.com/ie0Vrv0pyj

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 9, 2019

Surprisingly, on his debut in the G-League, Fall was still the tallest player but not by much as the 7-foot-5 star came up against Blue Coats centre Christ Koumadje at 7-foot-4.

Fall had 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the game

Tacko Fall had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks for @maineredclaws in his @nbagleague debut. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/i3F5S4R0Qk

— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) November 10, 2019

BILL SIMMONS JINXES STAR WITH TWEET

Usually it’s called the commentators curse but Twitter can prove just as destructive if you’re The Ringer founder Bill Simmons.

The sport media giant should know better but felt he was right to post a tweet as the Celtics put in a great performance.

He had special praise for Gordon Hayward.

Felt this way for a week. Was obeying JINX rules, no longer care because the following is just true...

The Celts are legit good.

No more ball-stoppers. Ball moves. Everyone attacks. And Hayward is 2017 Hayward again. (Can’t speak for the chemistry but that seems 👍 too.)

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 9, 2019

It took just 11 minutes for Simmons’ follow up, with the jinx rules biting him back.

Hayward was averaging 20.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game for the Boston Celtics in seven outings, but suffered a fractured left hand.

Well done Bill.

Simmons was quick to recognise the folly of his ways.

I’m covering myself in chicken blood and eating a ouija board.https://t.co/EGdswbkEkh

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 9, 2019

Hayward is expected to miss a month on the sidelines after breaking his hand with just over a minute left in the first half in a collision with San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge.

It could even need surgery.

Hopefully he’ll just blame Simmons.

But it wasn’t all bad news for the Celtics as Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics routed the San Antonio Spurs 135-115.

Kemba Walker add 26 points as Boston (7-1) won its seventh straight game and set season highs for total points, first quarter scoring (39 points) and first half scoring (72 points).

— with AP

STAR’S TERRIFYING PANIC ATTACK ON PLANE

Dion Waiters of the Miami Heat.

Miami Heat player Dion Waiters was absent from Friday’s game against the Lakers — because he reportedly suffered a panic attack on the team plane after consuming an edible.

That’s according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that the edible was THC-infused, leading to Waiters receiving medical attention upon the plane’s landing.

It was first reported that the guard became ill on the team plane while flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles, and suffered a seizure, according to Miami radio host Andy Slater.

“Waiters missed the game in Phoenix because of a stomach-ache and was seeking relief when he took an edible he was unfamiliar with, sources said. League rules prohibit the use of THC.” ESPN reported.

The team initially reported an in-flight “medical emergency,” and said Waiters was benched for an “illness.”

Waiters, 27, was suspended last month after an argument with a coach following a pre-season game against the Houston Rockets. He has missed nine games so far this season — his third with the team in a four-year $52 million contract.

The Heat lost to the Lakers Friday, 80-95.

— New York Post