BOSTON — Neemias Queta is one of several Celtics who have taken on a far bigger role this season amid a roster makeover. He’s been a reliable weapon for Boston in the middle as evidenced by being a +110 in plus/minus, the 12th highest mark in the NBA and tops on Boston’s roster. Despite the early success, Queta is modest about how he’s play after earning the starting center role.
“It’s a work in progress, I’d say,” Queta said. “I feel like I still got stuff that I could get better on. And like I said, I’ve been working on stuff. And like you said, you can tell the difference from, I think it was Atlanta, last year, my first start. So just being able to be out there more, more comfortably, being able to make more impact plays per minute, I guess.”
One person who has been a constant presence for Queta on the bench has been Jayson Tatum. The All-Star has been on the sidelines for nearly every Celtics game this year while recovering from a torn Achilles and has been a crucial guide for Queta as he’s gotten his opportunity.
“Yeah, he’s been on me from the moment I got here in Boston, and we’ve been able to build that relationship,” Queta said. “He’s always trying to help me figure out why I could do better, figure out how I can get my teammates open, and just trying to be a kind of coach, so to speak, as he can’t play right now. But I feel like he’s been one of the most vocal guys, and he’s always trying to lead us away the way he can see.”
Despite Queta’s early success, his minutes are still modest (23.9 per game) compared to the rest of the starting five. Foul trouble has been an issue at points for Queta during the year but endurance is not an issue according to the big man.
“I don’t think I can say it’s like a wind thing or conditioning (thing) or anything like that,” quit said. “It’s more, I’d say it’s like Joe’s decision. We’re in there playing as hard as we can (for) two, three minutes, 10 minutes, whatever it is.
“If I have to play 40 minutes, I’ll play them. But that’s something, if I have to play five minutes, that’s something – I don’t like setting limitations on me like that. Whenever the moment comes I feel like I got the adrenaline going, I’ll figure it out. So that’s something I can figure out.”
An easier schedule should help Queta on that front in the coming days. After playing the most games in the league through Wednesday, the Celtics have just three games over the next 10 days beginning on Sunday afternoon against the Clippers at TD Garden.
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