Hey, it's early, but this already has our attention.
Speaking with CLNS Celtics this summer, Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta said how excited he was to play with free agent Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year deal worth nearly $50 million this offseason.
Speaking on Monday at Celtics Media Day, Queta kept the positive vibes going, saying that the Celtics quintet of big men is collectively known as "Big Fella University" now.
That quintet includes Robinson, Queta, Amari Williams, Luka Garza and first-round draft pick Chris Cenac Jr.
And look, at the end of the day, all that really matters is the team winning games, but I will say, I'm appreciating the refreshing nature of these early season vibes.
Why?
The competition factor
Let's be completely honest. Every single player in the NBA wants to win, but every single player in the NBA also wants to do the best they possibly can individually.
As a result, there can often be competition within a group that becomes somewhat untenable at times. There's a reason that Tom Brady wasn't rushing to help Jimmy Garoppolo in New England. Athletes are possessive of their time and their opportunities, and they don't want to give those up.
In that vein, it would be understandable if Queta saw Robinson as a threat who was here to unseat him from his perch atop the group. It would be understandable if Robinson felt he was owed an opportunity based upon his free agent deal.
And it would be understandable if everyone was resentful of Cenac's selection in the draft. No one likes when a team drafts a players possible replacement. It's just human nature.
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) dunks the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) during the first half at TD Garden. Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesHowever, so far, none of that seems to be the case. All of these players seem to like each other and respect each other, with Queta at the forefront of it.
I've outlined multiple times that I think the big man rotation is a real storyline and a real question that I can't wait to see answered, but these players seem to not be bothered by it all right now.
That's for Joe Mazzulla to decide.
Up next
The Celtics will hit the floor on Tuesday for the first on-court work of training camp and then it's time to start readying for the preseason. The first preseason contest is Oct. 8 and the Celtics will play four in total.
The regular season begins on Oct. 20 on the road at the Detroit Pistons, who were the No. 1 seed in the East a season ago.
