Center was viewed as a potential Celtics weakness heading into the season, but Neemias Queta has turned aside any doubts about whether he can handle the position, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe writes in a subscriber-only story. Queta continued his career-best season on Friday with 19 points, 10 rebounds and a plus-33 rating in a win over Milwaukee.
“It’s unbelievable,” Jayson Tatum said. “I couldn’t be more proud and happy for Neemy. The way he’s seeing the game, the leap he’s made as a screener, as a passer, someone we can trust when we throw him the ball in the seams, finishing, protecting the rim. He is an NBA starting big man, that’s who he is now. He’s only going to continue to get better.”
Queta had only made six total starts in four seasons before being asked to take over when Al Horford and Luke Kornet left in free agency and Kristaps Porzingis was traded in a cost-cutting move. Through 72 games, he’s averaging 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes per night, and his emergence is one of the reasons Boston has been able to post the second-best record in the East.
“I think maybe at the beginning of the year we didn’t trust him as much as we do now, and now every time we throw it to him, we expect him to make the right read and right play,” Derrick White said. “He’s developed a lot of confidence, and we all have confidence in him.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Joe Mazzulla recently dismissed Coach of the Year as a “stupid award,” but Payton Pritchard thinks he deserves to win it, Himmelsbach adds. Mazzulla is considered one of the leading candidates, along with Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff. “He’s a competitor, and he focuses on how this team is going to get better and better,” Pritchard said. “He changed some things up this year as far as film sessions. He went to more, instead of a dictatorship, like a classroom setting where we’re just going to learn through all the ups and downs in that setting.”
- Nikola Vucevic, who has been sidelined with a fractured finger since March 6, could make his return Sunday afternoon against Toronto, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. Vucevic was acquired from Chicago at the trade deadline, but was only available for 12 games before the injury forced him to undergo surgery. He was originally projected to be reevaluated in three to four weeks, and a Sunday return would have him back on the court in a little less than a month. Terada expects him to replace Luka Garza as the primary backup center.
- Vucevic will be playing for his next contract when he returns, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. The 35-year-old big man has a $21.4MM expiring deal, and Robb suggests that his salary for next season might be less than half of that. The Celtics could be interested if he plays well in the postseason, but only at a low-cost, one-year deal because they still might be focused on avoiding the luxury tax. Robb adds that the Celtics may also be considering a younger option on the offseason trade market.
Boston can easily pay Vucevic $10-12 per now. Brad Stevens is the GOAT. Does Brian Robb work in the Celtics front office, lols.
Contenders want experienced bigs not rookies or young guys. Unless it’s a generational talent of course. Those are few and far between.
I somehow doubt Celtics want richly paid “experienced bigs” for what they’ve already done over lower paid coming into their prime “young” centers. Neemias and Garza are both medium young and are doing excellent jobs at center. Both fit in perfectly with our expensive superstars Tatum and Brown. And Amari reminds me of Neemias a couple years back. We’re not going back into the tax anytime soon.
All my fellow Celtics fans — Thursday night in NYC.
The Worlds most famous Arena — MSG
Celtics vs Knickerbockers. Is Tatum ready for PrimeTime 👀👀 . May the best team win.
It’s just a regular season game man.
Yeah but its right before playoffs. Knicks up 2-1 in season series. They both want to send a message. Especially Knicks since Celtics took over 2nd seed lol. It’s important.
Didn’t Boston beat NY 3 or 4 times last season? Knicks won in the playoffs without homecourt. Unfortunately, it’s school holidays here, and I’ll have my sisters kids. Bluey, Gabby dollhouse, or peppy pig for me. Doubt, the Mrs will let me slink off for three hours.
Just health at this stage for both. I doubt seeding matters.
Tape it. I think they both want it., probably meet in 2nd rd lol.
I’ll have to settle for highlights.
But the Knicks beat the Celtics when it counted in the playoffs and again this season. It’s a big game for the Celtics’ confidence … but to be fair it is only one game, not a playoff series.
Yeah but its right before the playoffs. With Tatum back. Celtics would love to beat Knicks in MSG.
I think its a big game for both.
There’s nothing wrong with being 3rd in the East.
I rather be two and get gm 7 at home. Knicks have lost to some bad teams. To give up 2nd seed in last 4wks.
Thank you for not calling it the Mecca. Big game for sure. Both teams will be looking to send a message. Its tough to figure out which seed will actually face a tougher matchup? Healthy Philly, red hot Atlanta or Charlotte? I feel like Toronto and the Heat would be the easiest matchups.
Why lol. I like the Basketball Mecca. Basketball is like religion to a lot of fans in NY. Its more about NYs love for the game of basketball. Goes way back.
I just think both teams want to show they are a better team. So when they meet in playoffs.
I agree that Sixers are dangerous. Cause they have nothing to lose. So they would love to knock out Knicks. Knicks better be ready. Sixers will have a full squad.
Dearest AL,
Too bad the world’s most famous arena has only two NBA championship flags.
Come to Boston and take a peak at what 18 flags looks like.
Been there. Competing is what its all about. Celtics have a great history. And had a great run. You don’t want me to talk about. How you treated those who gave you that history. Dolan who still owns the team. Is the reason why Knicks don’t have more. Still Knicks are 5th all time if Finals gms played with 48. We compete. Both Lakers and Celtics were able to put together great teams and ride them for years. Real management and ownership support. Something Knicks haven’t always had. Like Thibs getting fired last year. All about today now. Celtics haven’t beat this Knicks yet. So you can hug your titles while we go to another Finals.