Neemias Queta starting to attract notice

[ozgod]

Apparently Neemias's performance against Philly didn't go unnoticed by either media or his teammates.

Celtics big man Neemias Queta works to earn his opportunities on the court
By Adam Himmelsbach Globe Staff,Updated October 10, 2023, 3:33 p.m.



Neemias Queta (right) battled the Knicks' Jericho Sims for the ball during Monday's preseason game.FRANK FRANKLIN II/ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Neemias Queta sat by himself in the locker room after the Celtics’ 114-107 preseason loss to the Knicks Monday night and appeared surprised when a team PR staffer walked over and asked him to do an interview with a group of reporters.

The 7-footer is not really used to attention. He is on a two-way contract and just trying to find something more permanent in the NBA.

But his early play with the Celtics has created some intrigue, including among his teammates. As Queta packed up his things and walked over to his interview, Payton Pritchard reached out and stopped him.

“Neemias, good [expletive] out there,” Pritchard said. “I like seeing you play like that. You’re going to be a problem on that glass.”

Pritchard slapped Queta five, and the big man smiled and nodded and seemed to appreciate the recognition.

“I feel very wanted over here,” Queta said later, “so I’m very excited to show what I can do.”

He offered a glimpse against the Knicks. With the Celtics’ top six players resting, Queta had some impactful moments in his debut. He registered 7 points, 4 rebounds, and a block, and the Celtics outscored the Knicks by 9 points during his 13:35 on the court.

The 7-foot, 245-pound Queta moved quite well, whether running the floor on fast breaks or sprinting to close out on Knicks perimeter shooters. But he also committed five fouls, an issue that has plagued him during the start of his career.

Queta, who was drafted in the second round by the Kings in 2021, committed seven fouls in 29 total minutes while on a two-way deal with Sacramento last season. In the G League, he decreased his fouls per 36 minutes from 4.9 two seasons ago to 3.8 last year.

But on a Celtics roster that is filled with skilled 3-point-shooting bigs following the departure of Robert Williams, Queta could have value as more of an old-school enforcer.

“I just come in with a great mentality, great approach, and with [Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford] next to me, I just want to be able to learn from them and pick their brain,” he said, “because they’ve been doing it for a long time at the highest level and they’re such versatile bigs. I want to be able to learn from them and kind of be like them.”

Queta, a two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Utah State, signed a one-year deal with the Kings last summer following two seasons as a two-way-contract player. But he was released last month after Sacramento signed veteran big man JaVale McGee.

“It’s always tough when that situation happens, but I feel like I’ve always had a good support system with my family and friends,” he said. “It didn’t really take much time before Boston called up and I picked up the phone, and knew I was in a good situation from that point on.

“This is a winning team always competing for championships, so I want to be able to contribute in that aspect.”

Full article at https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/10/sports/there-may-be-place-celtics-roster-big-man-neemias-queta/

He's definitely one of those guys that catches the eye and intrigues you. Little bit unpolished right now and needs better discipline but the physical attributes are there at least.

[radiohead]

I’m a huge fan of Queta. I hope he sticks around and becomes a regular contributor. I feel he can blossom with the Cs.

[Surferdad]

I missed the Philly game, but I didn't think he was too impressive in the Knicks game.

Speaking of young bigs, I was disappointed in Wenyan Gabriel showing vs. the Knicks. He brought energy but collected 5 fouls in 2 minutes. Bit of a surprise after hearing he contributed nicely to LAL last year (LeBron gave a complement).

[ozgod]

I missed the Philly game, but I didn't think he was too impressive in the Knicks game.

Speaking of young bigs, I was disappointed in Wenyan Gabriel shoeing vs. the Knicks. Her brought energy but collected 5 fouls in 2 minutes. Bit of a surprise after hearing he contributed to LAL last year,

They brought him in with like 5 min to go and he was super eager to impress and all over the place 

Let’s hope he gets a longer run tonight so the fans can have a more nuanced look at him

[liam]

I missed the Philly game, but I didn't think he was too impressive in the Knicks game.

Speaking of young bigs, I was disappointed in Wenyan Gabriel shoeing vs. the Knicks. Her brought energy but collected 5 fouls in 2 minutes. Bit of a surprise after hearing he contributed to LAL last year,

They brought him in with like 5 min to go and he was super eager to impress and all over the place 

Let’s hope he gets a longer run tonight so the fans can have a more nuanced look at him

Let's hope he can stay on the floor.

[theswitch]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

[BitterJim]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

[jambr380]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

The problem with Kornet is that, despite his height, he gets pushed around a lot and lacks agility, strength, and lift. I get that he understands the system and has some unique skills, but we already have a much much better version of him in Porzingis. What we need is a better version of what Queta is right now, and it's entirely possible he can grow into that role relatively soon.

Kornet will get the early opportunities, but I would love one of Queta or Gabriel to seize their opportunity and become a viable rotation player.

[BitterJim]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

The problem with Kornet is that, despite his height, he gets pushed around a lot and lacks agility, strength, and lift. I get that he understands the system and has some unique skills, but we already have a much much better version of him in Porzingis. What we need is a better version of what Queta is right now, and it's entirely possible he can grow into that role relatively soon.

Kornet will get the early opportunities, but I would love one of Queta or Gabriel to seize their opportunity and become a viable rotation player.

I would love that too, but until/unless one of them does we need bigs that are playable. I don't like Kornet as the 3rd/4th big, but some people act like him being the 5th big means the sky is falling and I just don't get it

[ozgod]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

Gabriel had 4 fouls in 10 mins, and Queta had 5 fouls in 14. So I guess if we played a combo of them 10 mins total they might get through without fouling out 

I think they both have potential but are very unpolished. They have energy, and energy guys always attract the eye, but their technique has to be better. But that's what preseason and G league are for - learn to defend without fouling.

[theswitch]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

Gabriel had 4 fouls in 10 mins, and Queta had 5 fouls in 14. So I guess if we played a combo of them 10 mins total they might get through without fouling out 

I think they both have potential but are very unpolished. They have energy, and energy guys always attract the eye, but their technique has to be better. But that's what preseason and G league are for - learn to defend without fouling.

Fair enough. I'll restate -- I'd rather have Queta as a deep bench player than Kornet because he offers more upside and can create some havoc when he's put into the game for the other team. He's a curveball. If you're relying on one of the two to be a consistent rotation player, then yeah you have to pick Kornet because Queta isn't reliable. My personal preference given the roster construction is to play more one-big lineups where Porzingis or Horford is almost always on the floor, and then lean on Tatum and Brissett to play power forward. I'd rather do that than play Kornet in a two-big lineup, in which case Queta becomes more attractive as that chaos factor.

[obnoxiousmime]

Regardless of which young big they keep, they do need to actually develop talent at that position. It takes awhile to develop bigs but that doesn't mean you can just ignore it. Since Robert Williams they haven't really had any serious prospects at the position (sorry, Tacko).

[hwangjini_1]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

Gabriel had 4 fouls in 10 mins, and Queta had 5 fouls in 14. So I guess if we played a combo of them 10 mins total they might get through without fouling out 

I think they both have potential but are very unpolished. They have energy, and energy guys always attract the eye, but their technique has to be better. But that's what preseason and G league are for - learn to defend without fouling.

ha, i say. ha! those fouls are nothing compared to the immortal bubba wells, who racked up 6 fouls in less than 3 minutes. until gabriel and queta beat that i will remain unimpressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG1E2m0b60w

[Goldstar88]

I would currently take him over Kornet without really thinking twice.

You probably should, Kornet is at least an NBA benchwarmer. Queta might eventually be more, but right now he's a prospect that fouls too much to actually play any minutes

Gabriel had 4 fouls in 10 mins, and Queta had 5 fouls in 14. So I guess if we played a combo of them 10 mins total they might get through without fouling out 

I think they both have potential but are very unpolished. They have energy, and energy guys always attract the eye, but their technique has to be better. But that's what preseason and G league are for - learn to defend without fouling.

Fair enough. I'll restate -- I'd rather have Queta as a deep bench player than Kornet because he offers more upside and can create some havoc when he's put into the game for the other team. He's a curveball. If you're relying on one of the two to be a consistent rotation player, then yeah you have to pick Kornet because Queta isn't reliable. My personal preference given the roster construction is to play more one-big lineups where Porzingis or Horford is almost always on the floor, and then lean on Tatum and Brissett to play power forward. I'd rather do that than play Kornet in a two-big lineup, in which case Queta becomes more attractive as that chaos factor.

Zero fouls for Queta tonight. 

[jay]

Gabriel has 4 years of experience so they can't sign him to a 2-way.

However, if they want to keep Gabriel around and not cut him - they could make Lamar Stevens a 2 way player?  If he would accept it. He only has 3 years service time. That would allow them to open up that 15th roster spot without cutting anyone.