In a hard-fought first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics faced a familiar Achilles' heel: foul trouble from their big men. Among them, Neemias Queta emerged as a key figure whose personal fouls at critical moments drew attention—and accountability.

Queta, the Portuguese center, found himself matched up against Joel Embiid, one of the league's most skilled players at drawing contact. While that matchup certainly tested his discipline, Queta isn't making excuses. "Obviously, (it) starts with me being better," he said, taking ownership of his performance.

Reflecting on the series, Queta acknowledged the inconsistency of officiating from game to game. "Over the series, we've seen a lot of different calls on the fouls," he noted. But he recognized that referees' tendencies don't fully explain his own missteps. "It's just the nature of the job as a center. You're in a lot of different positions where you can get fouls—whether it's ball screens, box outs, one-on-one defense, or protecting the rim."

For a player who has shown flashes of disciplined play, the challenge now is consistency. "I've got to start looking at myself and be better first and foremost," Queta emphasized. "I've shown flashes of where I can be without fouling... it's just about being consistent."

As the Celtics look to regroup for next season, Queta's self-awareness and commitment to improvement could be a key piece of the puzzle. For fans and players alike, it's a reminder that growth often starts with a honest look in the mirror.