Boston Celtics had Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingsi in the last two seasons for their frontcourt but after a tumultuous 2025 summer. They had to let them after a disappointing end to the 2024-25 season, injury to Jayson Tatum, as well as for the management of their salary cap. Joe Mazzulla is ready for a new era and he has faith on his remaining guys.
Most Celtics depth chart predictions have Neemias Queta as the projected starter for the team with Xavier Tillman Sr. as the possible substitute.
Mazzulla is liking what he’ s seeing so far on Queta in the past pre-season games but highlighted that it is going to take the whole season to bring out his potential.
“Tonight was good. It’s hard. We’re gonna be hard on Neemy. I’m really looking forward to coaching throughout the year,” he said after their win over the Toronto Raptors.
“He showed what he is capable of. We just have to hold him to that standard. What we saw tonight, I think, he can be better than that. But that’s the guy we need.”
“I think that’s why you get into coaching, you really get into coaching to take guys like that and see where they can get you. It’s been fun getting to that. And so I really do enjoy coaching him.”
Queta is expected to have a breakout season with some saying he will be the main beneficiaries of guards’ playmaking but he has to be consistent.
Boston Celtics frontcourt is ready
Porzingis and Horford were among the reasons why the Celtics were contenders in the past season. They got stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown but the team will not be as good without these two defensive anchors.
Some critics think the frontcourt is the biggest knock in the current roster make up but Tillman Sr. refuses to listen to any of such take. He thinks they are ready.
“Hell no, we don’t talk about that. We don’t give a damn what anybody says,” he said.
“We don’t talk about it at all, other than our excitement for the opportunity, that’s what we talk about. All we can control is our preparation coming in, working hard, watching film and then after that, see how it turns out.”
It’s not just him who thinks this way. Even Mazzulla.
Joe Mazzulla on Xavier Tillman Sr.:
“He’s been here for 2.5 years, and I think he’s the ultimate professional…Last year, not going the way he may have wanted to.”
Mazzulla notes the Celtics’ more aggressive approach suites him better. It’s a chance to show the impact of his…
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) October 16, 2025
The Celtics are done with pre-season games and they will have their first test for the 2025-26 season against the Philadelphia 76ers who is expected to play 2023 MVP Joel Embiid.
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