Houston Rockets center Clint Capela rarely keeps two feet on the ground. Given the 6-foot-10 center’s proclivity to rise up for dunks, Capela recently expressed a desire to keep slamming home lobs.
At a children’s event for Capela’s foundation, the 25-year-old told The Athletic’s Alykhan Bijani he’s “ready to catch more lobs.” Bijani adds that the James Harden-to-Capela connection produced 220 buckets, over 30 assists more than second-place finishers Russell Westbrook, their new teammate, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams:
Clint Capela on any new moves he’s worked on this off-season: “Be ready to catch more lobs.”
Last season, Capela was assisted by James Harden 220 times (NBA-high). Second in the NBA was Russell Westbrook to Steven Adams (184). He is getting ready for even more PnR. #Rockets
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) August 25, 2019
Clint Capela is coming off his fifth year in the NBA — all with Houston — and he prepares for a new challenge after the dramatic trade between the Rockets and Thunder, which sent Chris Paul north of the Texas border in exchange for Westbrook. Harden and Westbrook, along with Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, went to the 2012 NBA Finals together under head coach Scott Brooks, losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games. Harden was later shipped prior to the 2012-13 season to the Rockets, renewing his career and leading to superstardom, including a league MVP award and multiple All-Star selections.
Capela’s offensive game is limited, as the Swiss center mainly stays around the basket or screens for Harden and Houston’s wings. Capela has never been an isolation player nor powerful interior center who can bully through defenders.
Instead, Capela has frequently utilized his superior athleticism to get by defenses and create indecisiveness for opponents guarding him and Harden in the pick-and-roll. The Swiss big man should get even more opportunities with Harden and Westbrook in the fold.
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