Nikola Vucevic has already had game-changing impact for one of his new teammates

Neemias Queta had just registered his tenth double-double of the season. His 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks helped the Boston Celtics earn a 16-point win over the Phoenix Suns without Jaylen Brown.

After the victory, Queta discussed the benefits of his team adding Nikola Vucevic, a two-time All-Star at his position, a player he's quickly sought out to soak up knowledge from.

"He's been huge. Trying to pick his brain every day. I'm trying to figure out how I can better my game as well," said Queta. "Just being able to seal guys off. How he can be such a threat down low; how he can just make quick moves down there in the paint and post? How much more effective can I be? Just picking his brain on anything."

It's a credit to a mature and healthier outlook from the fifth-year center, who has established himself as Boston's starter at that spot and who deserves to be in the conversation for the Most Improved Player of the Year Award. Rather than gravitating to the idea of Vucevic being a threat to him, he's capitalizing on an opportunity to learn from an accomplished player who can help make him better.

Nikola Vucevic's advice to Neemias Queta

At shootaround before Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets, and former Chicago Bulls teammate Coby White, Vucevic explained the details he has conveyed to his younger position mate to help Queta develop his game in the low post.

"Just how to use his body, how to position his body, how to use certain angles when he's posting up," said Vucevic. "Things that he might see as well, especially against smaller guys, if teams switch and everything against us. So, yeah, something that, obviously, I've been doing for a long time, especially early in my career, I was more [of] a traditional five, back to the basket playing, things like that, sealing. So, just trying to help him out."

The Celtics are already taking advantage of Vucevic's ability to punish smaller defenders who switch onto him. Queta did the same during his career night in Sunday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lisbon, Portugal, native erupted for 27 points, a personal-best that matched Jaylen Brown for a team-high in Boston's win over a conference rival. He also grabbed 17 rebounds and sent three Sixers shots soaring in that victory.

As evidenced that night, while post-up play isn't as prevalent as it was when Vucevic entered the Association, it's still valuable, including when sealing off and finishing against a smaller defender who switches onto a center out of the pick-and-roll.

"Nowadays, there's not as much of it, and not many teams run it, not many teams go to it. So in a way, unfortunately, for big men, it's kind of a lost art," voiced Vucevic. "But yeah, just trying to help him out in certain situations. How can he position his body cause that's the biggest thing; how you catch your guy. I mean, basketball is a big game of angles, and you're gonna try to catch your guy in different ways. For us bigs, it's different than guards, but I think for him, especially when opponents switch and things like that, there's ways he can be very effective."

Vucevic makes the Celtics' offense more dynamic. His mentorship is also immediately paying dividends, helping those like Queta in their quest to become the best version of themselves.