In the young NBA season, Neemias Queta has emerged as a pleasant surprise in the Boston Celtics rotation. The Celtics center position has been up for grabs due to the injury of Kristaps Porzingis, but the rotation has opened up even more with Jaylen Brown’s hip flexor injury. Because of this, Queta has started or gotten significant playing time off the bench in recent games. In these increased minutes, Neemias Queta has impressed and proven himself as a capable role player on a good team.
Neemias Queta Stepping Up
With Jaylen Brown out, the Boston Celtics have been running a starting lineup with two big men. One of these is regular starter and veteran, Al Horford. The other has been a revolving mix of Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman. But, out of those three, Queta has arguably been the most impressive. This season, Queta has averaged 6.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Also, in the two games that Queta has started, his +/- numbers have been excellent. Against the Atlanta Hawks, Neemias Queta had a +31 when on the floor. Against the Golden State Warriors, it was +13.
During the games he has started and played integral minutes, Queta has been a physical presence. His strength and size give him advantages that Kornet and Tillman do not have. Before he was put in the starting lineup, Queta was the center who closed out games for Boston. Even before the Jaylen Brown injury, in a game against the Indiana Pacers, Queta was the center on the court in the game’s final minutes and in overtime.
Then, when he was inserted into the starting lineup, Queta continued to play well. In his first start versus the Hawks, he had 10 points and 7 rebounds. Then, against the Warriors, Queta scored 14 with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
What Queta Provides
Neemias Queta provides a unique aspect to the Celtics offense. His athleticism allows him to be a consistent lob threat and dunker. He also has decent touch in the paint. Luke Kornet also has the height to catch the occasional lob pass but is not as strong as Queta. His strength makes him a strong rebounder as well. In his playing time, Queta has hustled and battled on the offensive and defensive glass. On defense, Queta is not someone who can switch onto guards, but he is serviceable in the paint and can be a mean shot blocker. His playing style is very reminiscent to Robert Williams, the former Celtic and current Portland Trailblazer.
Tillman, Kornet, and Queta each have their own strengths and weaknesses, which is why the Celtics have been trying all three of them in the rotation. But Queta gives an interesting balance between Kornet and Tillman. Kornet’s advantage comes with his height and rebounding, but Queta can also rebound at a good rate and is stronger in the paint. Tillman is more athletic than Kornet and can occasionally space the floor with shooting. Queta is also athletic, although he does not shoot much outside the paint. His size and athleticism make him the optimal defender of the three when guarding other big men.
Final Thoughts
Neemias Queta has spent most of his career barely cracking the rotation. First with the Sacramento Kings, and then with the Celtics last season, he was not someone who played significant minutes. However, this season has been a step forward for Queta. With Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown out, Queta has stepped up to be a contributor for the defending NBA Champions. The Boston Celtics utilize his strengths, and he has shown that he’s deserving of a spot. Even when injured players return, Neemias Queta’s steps forward should not go unnoticed by the Celtics organization.
