Former All-Star Center Gives Advice to New Teammate

The Boston Celtics made a low-risk, high-reward move at the NBA trade deadline. They traded away Anfernee Simons, who was unlikely to be a long-term piece in Boston, for some additional support at the center position. They picked up Nikola Vucevic, a former All-Star with a deep offensive bag and veteran experience. 

Vucevic wasn’t brought in to take over the starting role from Neemias Queta, but to be a solid backup and veteran leader for him. Vucevic was recently asked about what advice he would give Queta to improve his game. He responded, saying:

“How can he position his body, cause that’s the biggest thing. How you switch 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 for him, when opponents switch and things like that, there’s ways I think he can be very effective.”

Queta has already proved himself a solid defender, but getting offensive tips from Vucevic is invaluable. If Queta can learn some of Vucevic’s offensive tricks, he will go from being a solid starting center to a potential star. That’s what happens when you can pair elite rim protection with offensive production. 

Even if that isn’t what Queta becomes, that’s OK. The Celtics picked up a solid bench player with tons of size and offensive skills that should help them during their hopefully deep playoff run. And if not, they got a player who is willing and able to teach their young center some tricks.