{"id":107680,"date":"2024-11-18T17:19:07","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T22:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=107680"},"modified":"2024-11-19T14:01:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T19:01:53","slug":"celtics-queta-big-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/18\/celtics-queta-big-man\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Big Man Raising His Stock in Starting Lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the C’s are not undefeated like the\u00a0<\/span>Cleveland Cavaliers<\/span><\/a>, Boston is still playing outstanding basketball and is well on its way to replicating last season’s success. With\u00a0<\/span>Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/span><\/a> still sidelined due to recovery, Celtics big man\u00a0<\/span>Neemias Queta<\/span><\/a> has stepped up <\/span>in a <\/span>huge<\/span> way<\/span> since\u00a0<\/span>Joe Mazzulla<\/span><\/a> inserted him into the starting five.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Celtics Big Man Raising His Stock in Starting Lineup<\/h2>\n

Celtics Big Man Neemias Queta Impacting the Celtics’ Wins<\/h3>\n

The Portuguese native out of Utah State has recently entered the Celtics’ starting lineup in games with minor injuries or when <\/span>Al Horford<\/span><\/a>\u00a0sits out on back-to-back games. Queta’s size and power add a different element to the Celtics game. So far, Mazzulla’s roster tweak has paid off, and Queta is playing solid basketball in the painted area. On Saturday night in Toronto to face the\u00a0<\/span>Raptors<\/span><\/a>, Queta played a season-high 33 minutes. He posted 12 points, eight rebounds, and\u00a0one block and went 6-of-8 from the field. With him in the starting lineup, the Celtics are 3-1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Porzi\u0146\u0123is’ vacancy also aids Queta’s opportunity in the roster. However,\u00a0<\/span>Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/span><\/a> is expected back at some point next month in December. That being said, Queta’s play might be earning him a higher dose of minutes even when Porzi\u0146\u0123is does return. Where does that leave Horford? Who’s to say at this time? Queta’s playstyle as a rim-running big man impacts the game differently than Horford’s lately. Specifically, his net rating with a handful of Celtics teammates is outstanding. With Queta<\/a> on the floor with\u00a0<\/span>Jayson Tatum<\/span><\/a>, their net rating is +17.5. With\u00a0<\/span>Jaylen Brown<\/span><\/a>, it’s +13.1, and with\u00a0<\/span>Jrue Holiday<\/span><\/a>, +21.2. These are some significant numbers that Queta is contributing to, which is why it’s entirely reasonable for Mazzulla to keep him in the starting rotation for the time being.\u00a0The wins also help, of course. <\/span><\/p>\n

Praised by Friendlies and Opponents<\/h3>\n

Holiday<\/a> spoke about how Queta’s impact is affecting the Celtics following their weekend win over the Raptors.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can protect the rim, he can protect the paint, you could switch him one through five,\u201d\u00a0Holiday said,\u00a0\u201cGuards like to go at him, but he\u2019s such a big body and has so much length to be able to protect from the three-point line, and then he\u2019s quick enough to kind of meet you at the rim too. Neemi gives us versatility and is a really good defender.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Queta’s teammate wasn’t the only NBA figure to pile on the praise. Brooklyn Nets head coach\u00a0<\/span>Jordi Fernandez<\/span><\/a>, who coached Queta in Sacramento, also\u00a0spoke about his former player.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jordi Fern\u00e1ndez on Neemias Queta, whom he coached in Sacramento:<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of talent\u2026 At that time, we all really liked him\u2026 He did an amazing job\u2026 Now Neemi is a legit NBA player. I was very happy to go through those steps with him. I can only say great things about him.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/khXbHVkcqQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) November 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n