As the NBA regular season winds down, the buzz around major awards is heating up. For the Celtics, the spotlight is on Jaylen Brown's MVP and All-NBA candidacy, Joe Mazzulla's bid for Coach of the Year, and the fact that Payton Pritchard isn't in the running for Sixth Man of the Year due to starting too many games. Yet, there's one player who deserves more chatter: Neemias Queta, a strong contender for the Most Improved Player Award.
Queta's journey is the stuff of basketball dreams. From being a two-way player let go by the Kings to securing a standard contract with the Celtics, he's transformed from a benchwarmer to an above-average NBA starter.
Drafted in 2021 and now at 26, Queta is making waves. Last season, he was buried on the bench behind Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet.
But with their departures, the Celtics put their faith in Queta to start, and he’s delivered, anchoring the defense for the East's number two seed with averages of 9.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Despite this impressive leap, Queta isn't getting the recognition he deserves for the Most Improved Player Award. The favorites include Jalen Duren, Jalen Johnson, Deni Avdija, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Ryan Rollins.
While each has made significant strides, Queta's improvement is arguably unparalleled. Duren, Johnson, and Avdija were already solid starters, NAW had playoff experience with Minnesota, and Rollins was emerging for the Bucks last season.
Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon highlighted Queta's under-the-radar status on the Game Theory podcast, with Simon naming him one of the season's most overlooked players and Vecenie questioning why Queta isn't getting more love for MIP.
The issue seems to lie with the award itself, which often rewards those transitioning from good young players to stars. While that's commendable, it doesn't fully capture the essence of improvement, something Queta embodies this season. His rise from the edge of the roster to a key player on a championship contender is a testament to his dedication and talent.