Neemias Queta enjoyed a career night in the Boston Celtics' 114-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The athletic 7-footer was a thorn in Nick Nurse’s side all game long, dominating on the glass and finding multiple ways to score. Queta ended the game with 27 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks, illustrating the level of dominance he had over the opposing front court.
It’s been a whirlwind season for Queta. He was inserted into Boston’s starting lineup after Brad Stevens waved goodbye to Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet during the summer, either via free agency or trade. At the time, there were questions regarding Queta’s ability to handle such a big jump in the rotation; after all, he was the fourth-string center last season.
However, Queta has shown solid, incremental improvements throughout the season. Now, he’s performing like a starting-level big in the NBA, and the Celtics are reaping the rewards for their patience and ability to develop his game on the fly.
During his postgame news conference, Queta praised Boston’s coaching staff, specifically those in charge of player development.
“They really have a care factor too for you as a person,” Queta said, via CLNS Media. “Their ability to go out there every day, demand a bunch out of you, and still be able to go out there and have a relationship with you outside of basketball, and just have your best interests too. So, that goes beyond basketball and X’s and O’s and all that stuff on the court. When you go out there and know they really care for you, it just makes your job so much easier. They just have that effect.”
Queta isn’t the first big man to develop in Boston’s system in recent years. Kornet also went from being a two-way talent with the Maine Celtics to becoming an essential part of the team’s rotation. Luka Garza has also shown improvements in his game this season.
Boston is fast becoming a destination for talent development in the NBA. And because of that, they will likely keep finding hidden gems via free agency, the draft and in the trade market, with Queta being a shining example.
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