Neemias Queta recorded a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds as the Boston Celtics overcame an early deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-98 on Sunday at TD Garden.
Regarding his scoring and positioning, Queta said, “I just got in there…I just got a body in the paint and a lot of them got in where only I could get.”
Queta recalled his summer conversation with coach Joe Mazzulla: “I feel like it was like putting his trust in me… just me getting through it. It wasn’t the easiest summer for me either. They were always there for us and just trying to help me… making sure I had as much confidence as possible, just to come out here and help us swing.”
On finding space in pick-and-roll situations, Queta said: “Right now it’s so much easier for me. Just the amount of reps I have with these guys every day… the game just gets slower for me as well. Once things like this happen, when they have two guys on the ball, the fact that I can go out there and be a threat to the defense makes it that much more dangerous.”
The center also addressed the MVP chants during the game: “Yeah, that wasn’t great. I got a little distracted, missed a few free throws. So I need to work on that.”
As for the Celtics’ coaching staff, Queta praised their holistic approach: “I think it’s like the expectations they have for you and they really have a caring factor as well… Their ability to demand a lot from you and still have a relationship outside of basketball… makes your job there so much easier.”
Queta described his mindset during his standout performance: “I think it’s mostly just fun… happy that it happened to me. Just happy with the performance and happy that we found our way.”
Reflecting on preparing for the starting role, he added: “It was crucial for me before I started playing for a national team… playing for Portugal was huge for me this summer. It gave me a lot of rhythm and confidence… it was like a build-up phase. We worked a lot during the summer, before and after the operation… a big summer for me in terms of refining a lot of different things.”
On improving details during games, Queta said: “It’s easy to settle down on a night like that, but when Joe keeps coming at you like that, you just get better… if you just try to learn from that.”
Discussing individual skill development, he added, “When those kinds of things go really well and you can capitalize… I just want to keep getting better… when the opportunity presents itself, go out there and just have fun. I can expand my game with things like that.”
Queta also credited the veteran guidance of Andre Drummond, noting, “Big Fellas, pretty similar game…I’m trying to figure out how to get better. Obviously I’m competing on the field, but I’m just a student. Whenever I can get someone’s advice…I just try to do that so I can improve. He’s always on my side…I appreciate him for that.”
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