Celtics expert argues EuroBasket isn’t a ‘perfect indicator’ for Neemias Queta, says he could follow another star’s path
Neemias Queta has become one of the most intriguing players for Boston Celtics fans heading into next season.
The departure of three big men in Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet created a clear path for Queta to become the starting center.
His development during EuroBasket has caught attention, though his performances have been inconsistent.
The rollercoaster results have some Celtics fans questioning whether he’s ready for expanded responsibilities.
Noa Dalzell believes EuroBasket is not a perfect indicator to judge Neemias Queta
Queta started EuroBasket impressively with a double-double in Portugal’s opener, showcasing the potential that made him an intriguing prospect.
However, his performance dropped significantly in the second game against Serbia and Nikola Jokic, managing only six points and two rebounds.
He bounced back with 15 points against Turkey and Alperen Sengun, but the inconsistency wasn’t promising compared to his opening game dominance.
The up-and-down performances reflect the challenges he may face against elite NBA competition.
However, Celtics insider Noa Dalzell believes EuroBasket isn’t the proper platform to evaluate Queta.
“So I think he could have a kind of leap that really surprised people. And EuroBasket is not the perfect indicator of that, but there’s couple of indicators,” she said.
“He’s been awesome in the G-League. He has been awesome and stretches on the NBA court as well. He just hasn’t had so many opportunities to play through mistakes,” Dalzell added.
Dalzell also compares Queta’s situation to Payton Pritchard’s breakthrough
Dalzell argued that Queta’s limited opportunities resulted from playing behind quality NBA talent rather than personal shortcomings.
“I think there’s a level of fans who are a little bit down on Queta because you think he’s been buried in the rotation the last two seasons,” she explained.
“But when you really think about who he was playing behind, like Al Horford, Luke Kornet who had an awesome season and signed a big contract, and Porzingis, who was averaging 20 points per game and shooting 40% from three. It wasn’t an indictment on what he’s capable of,” she added.
Payton Pritchard won Sixth Man of the Year last season after four seasons with minimal minutes, averaging 28.4 minutes per game with 14.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 40.7% three-point shooting.
If Queta can step up like Pritchard did, it could benefit the Celtics significantly as they hope to survive until the playoffs with their limited roster depth.
AFC Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Bo Nix, Broncos, Chargers
Broncos
Bo Nix is entering the second year of his career after his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning is confident Nix is “made of the right stuff” to continue being a highly successful quarterback.
“Bo is made of the right stuff. He’s a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career,” Manning said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they’ve got their guy.”
Manning thinks Nix showed talent beyond his years as a rookie.
“I just don’t see that as being a big factor for him. Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But, it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year,” Manning said. “Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn’t play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year.”
Manning added that playing under Sean Payton for a second season should be beneficial for Nix.
“The continuity, more than anything else. There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator,” Manning said. “He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.”
Broncos
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins had a resurgence in his career after missing 2022 with a knee injury and 2023 with a torn Achilles. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said he grew a close relationship with Dobbins and praised him for his perseverance.
“I can’t say enough about him,” ElAttrache said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy that I would like to have as a friend forever. He’s that kind of person.”
ElAttrache pointed out that damaged ligaments can never return to their previous health, but Dobbins has worked hard on his rehab.
“You never want to expect they’re going to be 22 years old again,” ElAttrache said. “You can’t turn back the clock and go before, when he was that number one (running back) for the Ravens. But, having said that, his performance was still right there.”
Chargers
Chargers DC Jesse Minter still holds on to rejection letters from graduate assistant jobs that he applied to across the country, accumulating 98 in total. Minter said the rejections are a reminder to be grateful for where he is now.
“Because that’s just how I operate,” Minter said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s just that reminder of the joy that it is, the blessing that it is, the opportunity that you have, not to take it for granted and not to ever feel like you’ve arrived.”
Minter said he’s always tried to operate without an ego and build a culture of letting people know their value.
“A lot of coaches have crazy egos, and I think there’s a difference in being confident in yourself and sure of yourself, and then having an ego,” Minter said. “I’ve always tried really, really hard to not have an ego, to really try to build a situation where everybody feels like they have value, where everybody feels like they’re part of the success.”
- Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chargers RB Najee Harris participated in three-straight practices last week and was cleared for contact on Friday.
