Despite playing just 11 total NBA minutes this season, Boston Celtics fan favorite Tacko Fall sits sixth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players after the first round of All-Star fan voting, having received 110,269 votes.
Fall was ahead of several notable names, including teammate Gordon Hayward, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, and Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis, which didn't seem to sit well with Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
"I know my son votes seven times a day ... I don't love the idea, when you're talking about the All-Star Game or any awards, not being based solely on what's happening on the court," Stevens said Friday, according to NBC Sports' Chris Forsberg.
Fan balloting accounts for 50% of the total All-Star vote and will continue through Jan. 20. Current NBA players and a media panel evenly split the other half.
The top two guards and top three frontcourt players from each conference will start in February's All-Star Game in Chicago. In the event of a tie, the player with more fan votes will be given the starting nod.
Reserve players are chosen by the head coaches and commissioner Adam Silver will select an injury replacement if necessary.
"He's a wonderful person," Stevens said, according to NBC Sports' A. Sherrod Blakely. "He's done a great job. Obviously, he's played (11) minutes here, so he shouldn't be sixth in All-Star voting. I get it. I think sometimes the All-Star Game, and things like that, are a mix (of) popularity contest and then really, really subjective voting."
Fall went undrafted out of UCF last year, earning All-AAC third-team honors during his senior season with the Knights.
The 7-foot-5 center earned a two-way contract with the Celtics after a respectable showing during summer league play with the club.
