Houston Rockets: 5 goals for Clint Capela in 2017-18

As the Houston Rockets look to contend for an NBA championship, Clint Capela continues to grow as a player. What are some goals for the upcoming 2017-18 season?

When you think of the Houston Rockets, what first comes to mind? Surely it was the pairing of James Harden and Chris Paul, the barrage of 3-point shooting, or the high-powered Mike D’Antoni-led offense. After all, that is what the Rockets are best known for.

However, it’s time people focused more on Clint Capela, the developing big man. Capela just turned 23 in May, and only has two real seasons of significant minutes under his belt (he played just 90 minutes in his rookie season). He impressed the front office so much in the game action he saw in his first two seasons that they were more than willing to let Dwight Howard walk during the 2016 free agency period.

Last season, Capela didn’t disappoint, averaging 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 64.3 percent from the field. The Swiss big man also posted a 21.4 Player Efficiency Rating, 5.9 win shares, and a 1.12 defensive real plus-minus.

As expected, the big man had a career year in his third season in the league.

However, Capela still has a ways to go in terms of his development. If he truly wants to be the long-term option at center for the Rockets (which fans and the front office are expecting), he must improve several aspects of his on-court game and physical abilities.

With that being said, let’s take a look at five goals for Clint Capela as the Rockets enter a much-anticipated 2017-18 season.