Boston -- Neemias Queta was a top-10 player at his position last regular season. That's quite a leap after being fourth on the depth chart the previous campaign.
The Celtics' starting center -- and it should stay that way -- averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. He had the fourth-highest net rating in the Association [13.2] among those who played at least 60 games and logged 25 minutes or more, per NBA Stats. He was fifth in win shares per 48 minutes. The Lisbon, Portugal, native finished in the top three in field-goal percentage and screen assists.
Growth isn't always linear, but now it's about figuring out how to scale up. Fortunately, he has spent the summer focusing on the key to making that happen.
How Neemias Queta plans to build on his breakout season
At Media Day at the Auerbach Center, the seven-foot center discussed where his game grew the most this summer. What he shared is that he is returning as a more versatile player.
Specifically, developing into "more of a mismatch killer," voiced Queta. "It's gonna be something that I'm trying to rely on this season."
He's already an outstanding screener. His size and athleticism make him an ideal lob threat. If he starts routinely punishing mismatches, Boston's offense becomes that much more of a nightmare to defend. It adds an improved element to an attack that there are plenty of reasons to be bullish on.
FIBA was the perfect test kitchen for Neemias Queta
The FIBA stage is the ideal summer springboard for the 27-year-old center. Last offseason, it prepared him for his breakout campaign. His return to international competition this year gave him another opportunity to experiment.
In that environment, Queta is competing against some of the best players in the world. That includes, but isn't limited to, some of his NBA peers. For example, last summer, he faced Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Kristaps Porzingis. There, he's getting meaningful reps while working on different components of his craft.
It's why he believes he is about to return as a more versatile player. That includes punishing mismatches and becoming more of a threat on offense.
Neemias Queta should start for the Celtics
After another offseason spent sharpening his game at FIBA, he should enter his sixth year in the NBA as Boston's starting center.
Mitchell Robinson added to why. At Media Day, he made it clear that he is unfazed by whether he is in the first unit or the second. He just came off the bench and was a crucial contributor to the New York Knicks' title team. And it earned him a lucrative contract with their geographical rivals.
Rather than asking Queta to deal with moving to the second unit, it's easier if he gets the chance to build on his breakout season while staying in the starting lineup. If the Celtics are better off pivoting, then they can insert Robinson in the first unit. That's a more prudent path than introducing an unnecessary variable.
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