Charles Barkley shifted his infamous “cooked” label away from the Warriors and onto the Celtics- a team he once pegged as a back-to-back championship contender. The turning point, in his view, was Jayson Tatum’s injury. Caught in what some have called the NBA’s “torn Achilles epidemic,” Tatum’s absence derailed Boston’s momentum, and there’s real uncertainty about whether he can make an explosive return this season, if at all.

Still, the Celtics are already recalibrating. One sign came from Neemias Queta, the 7-foot Portuguese center who has been with the organization since 2021. After spending much of his early career bouncing between the NBA and G League, Queta was called up in 2024 and is now secured on a long-term deal. His larger role in training camp signals Boston’s intent to l

See Full Page