Neemias Queta Is A Prime Example Of Why The Sacramento Kings Are Morons And Brad Stevens Is A Basketball Genius

Brian Babineau. Getty Images.

Quick Blog Note: Just a quick bit of housekeeping before we get going. Over the last handful of days I've been dealing with some family stuff, so I'm not totally sure how around I'll be to get these Celts blogs/other blogs up over the next few weeks. Blog never sleeps so I'll be doing my best to keep things rolling, but in the event you don't see one after a game or it's rather short, that's why. I love you all and appreciate everyone who reads and clicks, so I didn't want to just ghost out of nowhere if that's what ends up happening from time to time based on when I'm actually available and able to put these together. Go Cs.

To really understand how ridiculous the 2025-26 Celtics season has been up until this point now that we're about 60 games in, I found this little nugget of information rather helpful.

2025-26 Celtics: 40-20 record

2024-25 Celtics: 42-18 record

Remember when everyone freaked out a few months ago because Jaylen Brown talked about how impressed he was with this group and the fact that there hadn't been a massive drop off between last year and this year, despite all the roster changes and Tatum being out? Remember when the usual weirdos took that comment and tried to make it this whole big thing about how Brown hates Tatum and all that bullshit?

Well, he was right. As of this morning, not only are the records basically identical, but the Celtics also own the #1 offense in the NBA (120.3). They own a top 6 defense and the 2nd best net rating. They are 2nd in the East in point differential, barely trailing the Pistons for the conference lead and the 2nd best differential in the entire NBA.

They have gone about their success through a different approach at times this year, no doubt about it. Their roster has required that shift. But the production? The production hasn't skipped a beat. What we are seeing unfold this season should not happen. It should not be possible. I would argue no other team in the NBA would be pulling this off if you removed their best player, gutted the roster, and replaced the majority of the rotation with minimum salary/unproven young players. They may still be good sure, but they would not be among the best teams in the NBA. 

Entering this season, I don't think any of us knew what to expect. Everything and anything was on the table. The fact that this is where we are is a bit of a challenge to process, just because we haven't really seen anything like this in NBA history. Usually when a team loses their best player, their season tanks. Think of the 15 win Warriors when Steph went down in 2019-20. Or the 20 win Spurs when they lost David Robinson for a year ahead of drafting Tim Duncan after winning 59 games the year prior. In most cases, that's usually how your season goes.

So for this all to be happening the way it is, while also understanding there's a decent chance this group gets to ADD Jayson Tatum?

Giphy Images.

What you're seeing isn't just the stars upping their game. You're also seeing the greatest coaching job of the season bar none, in Joe Mazzulla. You're seeing what a strong culture and system can produce when you have complete and total buy in from every player on the roster. You're seeing the unproven draft picks that Brad has gifted us all turn out to be real players. 

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And you're also seeing that when in doubt, just make sure to add whatever player the Kings decide isn't good enough to play for Sacramento. In reality, that guy is awesome and you should add him to your team. 

Not sure what I mean? Well let's dive in.

The Good

- During the 2021 NBA Draft, with the 39th pick the Sacramento Kings selected Neemias Queta out of Utah State. He signed a Two Way deal and mostly spent time in the G-League, while only playing a total of 20 games as King over the course of 2 seasons.

In August of 2023, he signed a standard deal with the Kings. By September 2023, he was waived.

Enter this man

On September 19, 2023, Neemias Queta became a Boston Celtic. Almost right away, he showed flashes of potential. He was a raw prospect, but you could see the building blocks. Not sure why the Kings couldn't, but that's just part of the gig with them.

During the title run, he was more of an end of bench/Maine prospect. Learning the system, learning to develop his skills, learning how to remove the poison of being a King from his body, all of it.

Last year, while being the 4th big on the roster, he played in a career high 62 games, continuing to show potential. The development was working. He needed to get better about fouling, he needed to up his processing speed and lateral quickness, but the talent was unavoidable.

Now? In Year 3, not only are you looking at the center of the future, but you are looking at a legitimate starting caliber NBA player. 

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From the 4th string big to averaging 10/8 with 1.3 blocks a night and doing shit we haven't seen since Robert goddamn Parish. Brad Stevens said it himself. The Celtics would not be having the season they are having if not for the leap we are witnessing from Neemias Queta

Live look at yours truly after watch #1000000 of that clip

Giphy Images.

Finding the center of the future was very very very high on the priority list for me as this team moves into its next phase of roster construction. It was a must have. So to not only have found it within their own roster, but the fact that THIS is the price Brad Stevens paid for it is so fucking insane I can't even stand it

There are teams in the NBA right now paying 10x this price for a center that is not better than Neemias Queta. Just think about that for a second. 

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I get that the Sixers didn't have Joel Embiid last night, but so what. Queta would give Embiid that work too. At this point of the season it's pretty obvious that unless you have elite size or a super elite opposing big, Queta is going to feast. This is a player that even held his own against Jokic on several possessions! 

The fact that we watched Neemy turn into Prime Shaq last night was both surprising and not surprising at all. I know that doesn't sound like it should make sense, but it does. This type of night has always been possible, it was only a matter of time. Some of the up and unders were a bit surprising, but the overall production and impact? This is the 2nd time this season that Queta had 10 OREB in a game, after previously accomplishing it against the Nuggets in January (no Jokic). So like I said, in many ways, this is just who Neemy can be on any given night.

So thank you Sacramento. Thank you for being you. Thank you for having zero idea how to identify and develop NBA talent. Without you, none of this would have been possible. 

- Despite what some may want you to believe, Jaylen Brown is pretty good at the sport of basketball. I know, I know, that's controversial to say because when he sits, the Celtics are also awesome. The narrative this year has been that means Jaylen actually makes the Celtics worse. It's a braindead take, usually given by those who have been very very very wrong about what Jaylen Brown would be capable of this season leading the team without Tatum. They were certain he would fail, and instead he has thrived. As a result, they're scrambling.

In reality, we have this

While it's been nice to see Jaylen be super efficient over his last few games, what stood out most to me was both his approach and his playmaking. Nothing really forced, nothing out of control, and nearly perfect decision making when it came to punishing the Sixers with his own scoring, and then using his gravity to create opportunity for others. I thought Jaylen was GREAT at reading the game and giving it what it needed at any moment in time. That's an area he's really had to grow in this new role this season, and as a #1 option it may be the most important.

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Often times people think #1 option means most points or most shots. That's not really how I view it. A #1 option, at least on this team, it's about doing everything. It's scoring, it's rebounding, it's playmaking, it's defense, it's understanding and being able to read the game. Think of everything that makes Jayson Tatum who he is. He does all of those things at an elite level. In prior seasons, Jaylen could not read the floor or read the game in the ways we're seeing now. He's WAY more comfortable operating out of doubles, he understands to a much higher level where the ball has to go and how to manipulate the defense, which was on full display last night. 

Every time it looked like the Sixers were going to make a push, Jaylen made a play. It's one thing to dominate the way he did against the Nets. They stink. It's another to do it against a better quality opponent in the Sixers, even without Embiid. 

A+ Jaylen game at a time when they needed it. That's what you want to see.

- I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet, but I would just like to bring to your attention that over his last 4 games, Derrick White is shooting 43% from three on nearly 10 3PA a night (9.8)

There's no denying that his jumpshot has been a bit of a disaster for about 95% of the season. Thankfully he's so good and is able to impact winning in so many other ways it hasn't even mattered that he has a dogshit TS%, but for this team to reach their ultimate goal, they're going to need Derrick to make his open jumpers. I'm not saying never miss, I'm just saying he can't be shooting under 30% from deep or whatever.

So, could we be seeing early signs of a turnaround right as we approach the playoffs? To say that would be massive would be a bit of an understatement. I don't need 43% like we're seeing during this stretch, I understand that's a bit of an insane percentage. But can you give me 38-39% on high volume? That's basically where he's been these last few seasons, so can he live there for the next few months? I don't see why not. Never underestimate the power of Bald Derrick. 

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- So, I think we should probably have a discussion around the fact that Baylor Scheierman continues to not only look like a real NBA player, but thrive in his role this season. Since Day 1, whenever he touched the floor he made the most of that opportunity and played well. Now a spot starter, nothing has really changed. Even with a fractured thumb on his shooting hand, Baylor made an impact

12/4/2 in 31 minutes last night, Baylor is playing with so much confidence right now you can feel it through the screen. His rebounding and defense have been such a revelation this season, and in my opinion are the root of his Year 2 leap. We know that if you do those things, Joe will give you minutes. He made that clear on Day 1 of camp. What we're seeing is a player in Baylor who doesn't try to do too much or do things that he's not really ready for. He thrives in the margin areas, which are crucial to team success, and if the shooting also comes around? Buckle up.

When he was taken #30th, I think this was what the best case scenario looked like. Could he be a playable rotation piece? I think the answer to that question is easily "yes". Plenty of people killed Brad for the pick because he didn't take a center instead. Well, maybe we should all just shut the fuck up and let Brad cook? Until he gives us a reason not to, I don't see any other option. 

- Raise your hand if you were expecting this year's Celtics to become the greatest offensive rebounding team of all time? I know, me neither. Another 19 OREB last night (30 2nd chance points!!!), it doesn't even matter anymore when the Celts have stretches in which they can't make a shot for 6 minutes, because they are securing an absurd amount of their own misses. It's kept their offense alive without Tatum (in addition to low turnovers). The crashing from the weakside whether it's Baylor, Hugo, Walsh, White, Hauser etc. The energy and effort from the bigs. It's unlike we've ever seen from a Celtics team, and they don't even have their best rebounder yet!!

- Another double/double for Vuc in his minutes off the bench with some nice C&S 3s and more signs that his basketball fit in this system is looking better and better. I still don't love him in drop coverage, but I think I'd enjoy it less seeing him at the level or in space, so I think we just have to take it in stride.

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The Queta/Vuc combo gives the Celts a starting caliber center on the floor at all times, and each provides their own skillset that make the Celts tough to defend. We didn't get too much of a post up game from Vuc last night, but that's fine because he's also an elite pick and pop shooter. The goal is to have options and versatility to adapt the roster to what a game needs. That is what Vuc provides. 

- Every single night we get an amazing Hugo moment. What a player

- Am I looking too much into the fact that NBC changed up their Tatum doc episode release? Are they adjusting to something? Is this my hopium talking? I'm just saying. We're on high alert now that we've entered March, and it's getting harder and harder to ignore the signs.

The Bad

- I'd really appreciate stronger starts. Thankfully the Sixers are the Sixers and couldn't capitalize on the Celts starting this game with 30/23%, and perhaps this was just a case of the bill coming due after never missing a shot against the Nets, but lord was that a tough opening quarter. No real defense, couldn't rebound, couldn't make a jumper, just not the best brand of basketball we've ever seen. They generated great looks which was awesome, but you have to make your open jumpshots. 

- Perhaps I don't need to, but after seeing the Sixers guards carve the Celts up for the 4th time in a row in this matchup, I do have some slight concerns as we enter the playoffs. Perimeter defense and point of attack defense needs to be a little more tightened up. I know Maxey wasn't efficient, but he still got where he wanted. Edgecomb same thing. 

In the playoffs, you need to be able to shut off the perimeter. The more you allow paint touches, the more you put yourself into rotation, the more you give up easy buckets. I'm not saying this is a huge deal, but it's just something I've noticed in this matchup. The Celts have struggled a little bit in limiting the scoring output of that backcourt. 

- Derrick White gets a pass for his turnovers mostly because he never ever ever ever ever turns it over, but last night was bad. Some really weird passing decisions that were very un-Derrick White. 

Same with that full court pass late in the 3rd by Jaylen that ended up being a TO giving the Sixers a shot at another bucket to end the quarter. It's not often you see so many brain farts when it comes to passing with this team, so that stood out.

The Ugly

- I swear to God if Payton Pritchard doesn't cut the shit when it comes to not being aggressive and even looking for his shot, I won't do much outside of complain on the internet, but still. If he's hurt, then I guess I could understand, but if he's not hurt then what we saw last night and against the Nuggets in that loss is pretty inexcusable. He HAS to be aggressive and be a threat offensively. That is now his role in this bench scorer spot. He's not there to get cardio and pass the ball. He's out there to shoot the damn thing and be aggressive. 

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Just 4 FGA (0-4, 0-4) in his 27 minutes is not a recipe for success. It didn't hurt them last night, but it will against better teams in higher leverage situations. 

With the Bucks up next tonight, there's another opportunity to keep this train moving in the right direction as we all wait to see if Tatum eventually returns this week. If that happens, the rest of the NBA should be very, very afraid.