Boston Celtics ‘CANDY’ win over Memphis | Need MORE Neemias Queta?
Boston Celtics dominated Memphis Grizzlies, but was the win too easy to build real momentum? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm of Boston.com debate whether the victory provides meaningful confidence or just temporary relief, spotlighting the shooting resurgence of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. As the team bounces back from recent struggles, the hosts dissect the value of “easy offense” and the impact on rotation ahead of key matchups against the LA Clippers.
Can Neemias Queta become the reliable backup center Boston needs? The hosts analyze his growing sense for passing, short roll awareness, and defensive challenges—raising expectations for his role this season. The conversation shifts to rookie Jordan Walsh, questioning if his defensive emergence is sustainable as the search for long-term bench solutions intensifies. With playoff aspirations looming, Locked On Celtics uncovers fresh narratives and critical lineup questions for Boston’s pursuit of an NBA title.
0:00 Grizzlies Win Recap
4:55 Easy Wins and Confidence
11:05 Neemias Queta’s Role & Improvements
14:43 Celtics Offense—Pick and Roll Adjustments
22:33 Jordan Walsh Emergence
26:55 Walsh vs Minott—Depth Decisions
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35 Comments
Three days of candy ☘️ 🍻
Only 2 games that mean something, Dec 2 and and Dec 5. Payback and beat you know who.
Btw I totally agree on Queta and the short roll, C's need more variation in their offense and I am definitely on the Jordan Walsh ride. Some good assignments for him coming up soon.
Imagine the first home game for Jayson Tatum is the game we see John Cena in the crowd. That would be cool to see ☘
Grizzlies had Neem looking like Kevin Garnett
So much time off coming up. If I read the schedule right, just 4 games over the next 10 days? Anyway I’d be amiss not to give props to our New England Patriots tonight. 8 in a row and we now have the best record in the NFL at 9-2! 🏈Thanks John ☘️🔒
I don’t know if you meant Josh Minott was a fake emergence but I think he set the tone for the emergence group(Walsh,Hugo,Garza)and is just going through growing pains of playing every game now but he’s still as good as we think! 10-6-2 with 1stl 1blk consistently is all we need from him right now🤞🏽☘️🍀☘️
UPDATE : I got to the end and see it was about Josh and my opinion still stands give him some time to bounce back 🍀☘️🍀
For sure. The last real champ, the GOAT, should show up for a boston home game. Someone needs to get Cena a ticket.
Yes more Neemi get him involved in the offense more. Again for Jordan Walsh he is in a make or break year.
☘️☘️👊
In 311 total minutes, BOS has a +15.8 Net Rating with Queta on-court:
OFF 119.3
DEF 103.4
Those numbers are elite compared to the top lineups in the league.
So, he’s proven he can play in a highly effective lineup, which is a huge win for the team roster.
Queta could be a good backup center
I’m not sure if Josh was a fluke. One thing I did notice was his intensity. It just wasn’t there against Memphis. He seems like a guy who gets in his own head, but that is purely speculation.
They played amazing in this game, to answer the question yes I think it was too easy!! With that being said, this was a game that needed to happen, it helped #DW & #PP start their upward battle rather than staying in the slump & #LukaGarza & #Queta had an amazing game🍀🍀 #KeepBuildingThoseGoodHabits
why PP get to play through when he sucks and neemias gets pulled
I hope Josh regains the grit that earned him that starting role. He could just be tired from the schedule. The effort didn’t look there against Memphis. Hopefully he’s not in his head. But he does seem to be the type of guy who has strong emotions
A few days ago we were asking if Josh was playing himself out of Boston(he was playing that well). It just looked like his intensity wasn’t there this game and that’s fine but that can’t happen too often for a fringe guy
15:15 yes. Get him the short role reps. We saw at work last night where QUETA got free on the pick and roll and scored it opened up the offense completely
17:16 guys knew where they were passing the ball before they even caught it. I’m not sure queta is processing at that level yet but give him the reps and he WILL improve. He has shown to be a teachable player
Btw much respect John! U definitely give these guys credit when u see real improvement. I get why you’re skeptical to co-sign young players. They statistically don’t work out. But when they do good things you don’t hesitate to give them flowers. Your assessments are pretty fair
27:57 he is certainly putting together a resume. Paulo, franz, maxey, JJJ. We saw flashes against Gianni’s and Randal when he was a rookie too. Just hope it’s real
32:25 yes I hope they don’t lose the gritty mentality that is earning them these minutes once their positions are solidified that is kind of a real fear. Are they only playing this hard because they was literally on the line?
Master of mid
"Aarf Aarf" 😂😂😂😂
Send our #Congratulations to the #NewlyWeds from the #CelticsFamily ❤️🎊🎉
Jordan is stronger, better defender, Josh better leaper, transition player.
Calling Queta an incredible number 2 high key disrespectful
lol John doing the drip drop live, love it…. I hope you never sponsor blue chew. That could get weird…
Tbf in a lot of games giving characters candy levels them up. 🤷🤷
When Queta starts getting confidence and starts showing you guys his moves …. its so easy to see he is just playing safe for now , doing everyting Joe says and working full for the team . Just check Euroleague and even G.League highliths, he have more skills than what you guys call "easy shots". And whats easy? last night PP give him a Alley-oop so hard to catch he bring his go go gadgets big arms to brag that one, and i will not even talk about a lot of his shots coming from his own rebounds.
You guys don't think that better passing don't come with time? Like he is getting to know all the guys, everybody is still working the best way to play together.
He is that type of player when the fans give him love he gives back with full energy…. But here not even 1 good thing about him is sayed lol.
Hugo has not been good the last few games. Same with Minnott. Jordan has been great. We need all 3 at the same time to be as good as Walsh has been lately.
Queta also needs to be more patient and he would have 10 blocks a game!! patience and Timing on Defense
handful of times a game Ill notice he could of had a block if he didnt jump on the pump fakes.. Other guys as well
This version of the Celtics have always been deficient on the short roll- or almost any interior passing. Really showed in the playoffs when they ran into better defenses which ran them off the 3 point line- they tried going the hoop, but weren't really practiced at it. They have an opportunity here to really work on that stuff, and maybe, just maybe get Tatum to play smarter basketball when he comes back.
Minott is serviceable, he has great energy and he is taller and may jump higher. But I think Walsh has so much more potential on both sides. He seems to defend better, and his shot looks much better.
I really want them to develop Walsh. I don't care if he starts but Walsh deserves consistent minutes. He is the player you want to give the superstar wings rest during games.
"5, 6, 7 more times" my man wanted them to lock up Minott after his second start! I think we all get our favorites and its tough to separate that.