After a successful preseason, Neemias Queta had a more mixed start to the regular season. Quite simply because he wasn't playing… He played his first match on November 19 and until December 15, he only had three games on the clock and 30 minutes in total.
Then, Luke Kornet injured his adductors and, for ten days, the door opened for the Portuguese. He is taking advantage of it, especially in three games with an average of 10 points and 10 rebounds (5.3 offensive) in just 20 minutes.
How will Joe Mazzulla cope with the return of Luke Kornet?
“We’ll make them both play,” replies the coach for Boston Globe. “It’s a question of sacrifice, professionalism and understanding on the part of our team. Queta is getting better and better. He did a great job of establishing himself. And when Luke returns, he will do the same. Both represent a strength for our team and relieve Al Horford in difficult times. The credit goes to Neemias who continues to work. »
He gained confidence
Holder of a “two-way contract”, Neemias Queta will have to obtain a classic contract if he wants to compete in the playoffs. Because, as it stands, he will be limited to 50 matches in the regular season. Finally succeeding in winning, after also signing a “two-way contract” in Sacramento, remains his objective.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for for a long time,” explains the former Kings on his role which has grown recently. “I’m ready for these moments. I got two years for that. When my turn comes, I will be ready and everything will happen by itself. Over time, the game has slowed down for me and I am more and more comfortable on the floor. »
With 14 points and 12 rebounds against the Clippers, the replacement pivot even had the best game of his career, with two personal bests.
“I feel like fighting in the paint is what allowed me to get into the league,” he recalls. “So I have to continue to emphasize that and be one of the players who does the dirty work. It’s definitely something I have in my game.”
| Neemias Queta | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | BAG | 15 | 8 | 44.7 | 0.0 | 64.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 3.0 |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 5 | 6 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.4 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 8 | 16 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 76.9 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 6.0 |
| Total | 28 | 10 | 49.4 | 0.0 | 65.6 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 3.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
