During [a recent episode of his podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhnFJm8EqYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhnFJm8EqY), _White Noise_, Derrick White had some high praise for Neemias Queta. He said that Joe Mazzulla has been hard on Queta for the past few years, but a big season is on the horizon because of it.
_“I think Joe has always been super hard on him for the last couple of years to prepare him for something like this,” White said. “Obviously, he’s going to have to have a big year, and we’re going to ask a lot out of him, which is exciting… He’s a guy who works hard, competes at a high level, and is just continuing to learn what works and what doesn’t in the NBA. We’re super excited for Neemias… I’m a big fan; he’s had so many different moments in these last two years. He’s helped us win games, or he’s changed the momentum of a game. It’s a big role for him.”_
What will it take for a Queta breakout season to take place?
**How will Neemias Queta perform next season?**
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Heading into next year, Queta is projected to be the Celtics’ starting center. Behind him, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. will be backing him up. But Queta is by far Boston’s biggest investment.
They brought him on board two years ago, and from then to now, he’s earned some opportunities along the way. Though most of his playing time has been spot minutes (or week-ish-long stretches of regular minutes), Queta has shown impressive flashes.
Based on White’s account, Mazzulla has been very critical of Queta throughout his developmental process. At a community event last season, when asked about Mazzulla’s coaching style for him in particular, Queta simply laughed and avoided commenting on the matter (but a huge grin crept across his face).
Kristaps Porzingis, who recently played Queta at EuroBasket, [even backed up](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-porzingis-candid-assessment-neemias-queta-eurobasket) White’s accounts with one of his own: _“What I can say is that Neemy has been getting better every year. Coach Mazzulla has been pretty tough on him, and I believe he's getting to a point where he deserves some real minutes, real rotation minutes. He's been putting in the work, and you can see it in how he's playing now in this tournament. I'm happy for Neemy. He's a great dude, really cool person. He puts in the time, he puts in the work, and I'll be glad to see him get a lot more minutes this year.”_
All of the hard-nosed coaching Mazzulla has used with Queta has led to this moment. This season will be Queta’s chance to prove himself.