Neemias Queta in his first season a starter for the Boston Celtics: 10.1 Pts, 8.0 Reb, 1.6 Ast, 1.4 Blk; 104.0 Net Rating (10th in the Nba, 3rd in non-OKC players)
I was always a believer in Queta, ever since he beat out Wenyen Gabriel for that two-way spot in 2023. He just always looked the part of a productive and active Center.
Sure, it’s taken a couple years for him to develop, but it has been well worth the wait. Funny how lost Queta and Walsh looked a couple of years ago and how important they are now. Really cool to see the development program working well for the Celtics.
Glad they are at least signed through next season, too.
I think the potential was always there for Queta when he seemingly had random double doubles games where dominated the boards and sent shots straight into the bleachers back to 2 seasons ago. He just needed to develop his basketball IQ, which is the key difference between him right now and him 2 seasons ago
Queta’s development as a competent screener and roller has been awesome. Just 2 years ago he was nonstop illegally screening
Queta, Walsh, and Hugo developing at at a great pace
Dont stiff my boy Josh
Fair, but 2 of those 3 have been awaiting their/ this moment. Josh and Hugo came over at a perfect time for developing.
Yea i just mean, even since he summer league, you can see growth in Minott’s play and awareness of the game. Same with Anfernee, in the last two games his defense has been so much more dynamic.
Don’t disagree, just happening to use those 3 because before this season, that’s where many of us were looking at our youth group. Josh is a dark horse/ diamond in the rough because what he’s turning into and building was not on anyone’s bingo cards. Personally, I think that early portion where Joe was inputting Josh, Hugo, and Jordan helped push those 3 in a race for the starting spot. (Now seemingly held by Walsh)
That’s where we hit some kind of turn. The combination of those 3 has basically shown what Tatum would be doing and has helped ease certain matchups to get our catch and shoot rhythm back for PP, Hauser, and DWhite.
a lockdown bench of Queta, Minott, Walsh, Hugo, PP. Maybe lacks firepower, but the other team will find it tough to make it 90ft.
Tatum, Brown, White and any two of them also are great lineups. The future is bright! Grab a starting center and we cooking the East.
If we’re thinking this season, then you can absolutely start Walsh if he can keep up this defense. Hauser can slot into the bench to give you more scoring and Simons can be flipped for a center. That’s a team that can make some noise in the East
I think we could be clear no1 in the east and contend for a chip if we go for Zubac, it looks like the clear next step for us
What I love about this team is that they play like the 2014-2017 Brad teams where they were misfit, discarded toys that played to their full potential. Brad had no business squeezing talent and playoff teams out of the likes of Jae Crowder, Evan Turner, and IT.
Now we see the same as an executive. He gave his young coach a shot after the Ime debacle and assembled a hungry group post-Tatum injury. He hoarded 2nd’s and stashed / developed them and we have gems like Hauser/Walsh.
I’m just so thankful for Danny moving on from Doc. I could see Brad running this ship for many, many years. We are so lucky to have had ownership bring in exceptionally bright, young, smart people - Brad is right there with Theo in my book.
Brad & Joe are a clear example of the Auerbach mentality, team first aproach, fight for every win you can get. Red would be proud of what Brad built and how Joe runs it
Yes, I do see them as one lineage and I am thankful to Danny (who was always probing and learning from Red) to have come back and brought back that team spirit/fighting edge. No one can replace Red, but Brad has a chance to be a great steward of the Celtics. That’s an honor and responsibility few get to fulfill. You have to earn it every day and he does so with class, smarts, and integrity. He’s competitive as hell, too, behind that quiet, nice guy demeanor.
Danny didn’t move on from doc. Doc didn’t want to be here for a rebuild and demanded a trade.
As I recall. Danny and Doc came to a crossroads and had a meeting to assess how to move forward. Doc asked Danny if he had anyone in mind and Danny said no one, except maybe the coach from Butler. That was signal enough for Doc to move on.
It was Docs decision to leave ultimately. Doc has talked about regretting his decision to leave.
Back in 23-24 when it was debated whether Kornet or Queta should be our primary backup center, I was always team Kornet with a bullet. I thought the world of Kornet because of the little things he was so good at, which were often the things Queta wasn’t good at, the details. Now in 25-26, it looks like Kornet may still be the better player (4 years older though), but Queta has really become quite good.
The rim running, length, and athleticism is all still there, but his general timing and screen setting is so much better. And the evolution of his short roll passing has been nice. Maybe learning as an understudy for years behind guys like Horford and Kornet rounded out the little things in Queta’s game, but paired with his elite physical tools he’s looking like maybe a starting center at age 26
Queta with 4 more years of experience will be a better center than Luke. Hell, with 4 years of experience, Queta will be a better center than a lot of current NBA starters.
Queta has been fantastic all season. I always liked what he brought in spurts & you could always see him trying to get a better understanding of Mazzulla ball. After his stellar FIBA play this summer & more minutes on the table I’m honestly not surprised at all.
Another reliable center in the rotation would be amazing but Queta’s proving to be a starting center on a winning team. I like Amari Williams’ skillset too but he’s probably a couple years from being a real contributor so a Zubac now wouldn’t hurt.
Celtics player development deserve so much praise
We actually just need a less ground-bound backup. Garza is good in his way — but his vertical spacing is non-existent.