Heading into this season,a championship didn’t seem like a realistic goal for the Boston Celtics. Not only had they lost a ton of talent over the summer, but they were also going to be without their best player, Jayson Tatum, for most of the season.
From the outside, many thought the Celtics would be lucky to make the playoffs.
On the inside, however, Boston’s goals and standards never changed. Despite being shorthanded, the Celtics are still determined to go all the way this year.
Just ask Neemias Queta.
“Yeah, obviously — we play for the Celtics. Anything else other than a championship, it’s not going to go. We’re not happy with it,” Queta told Noa Dalzell following Boston’s 119-104 home win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
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The victory improved the Celtics’ record to 27-16, good for second in the Eastern Conference.
Queta is in his third season with Boston and won a ring there two years ago, so he knows the drill. The Celtics expect to win a championship every year and are always working towards their next title, especially under their maniacal head coach, Joe Mazzulla.
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Mazzulla has helped Boston stay on track and drastically exceed expectations this year, keeping his team near the top of the standings while it waits for Tatum to return. A championship, which seemed like a long shot a few months ago, is now a realistic possibility with Queta, Jaylen Brown and others stepping up in Tatum’s absence.
In the meantime, Queta and his teammates remain focused on winning one game at a time and putting themselves in the best position possible by the time Tatum returns.
Featured image via Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images
