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Houston Rockets: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Eric Spyropoulos

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 9: The Houston Rockets huddle up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2017 at the AT
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 9: The Houston Rockets huddle up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2017 at the AT /
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5. Clint Capela shoots 70 percent from the field

Last season Capela shot an impressive 64.3 percent from the field, which ranked third in the entire league. However, there is room to grow in that area, especially with the addition of Chris Paul. Now, Capela should always have an incredible playmaker and point guard on the floor with him, allowing him to get even more alley-oops and open looks.

Capela is already an adept finisher around the rim, as he shot 65.1 percent in that area last season, well above the league average of 57 percent. Also, 32 percent of his field goal attempts were dunks last season, and that number should increase steadily this year.

The perfect example for Capela’s upcoming season should be DeAndre Jordan, who has shot over 70 percent in each of the last three seasons. For Jordan, an astounding 47.7 percent of his field goal attempts were dunks last season, which was actually below his career average of 49.2 percent.

Of course, Jordan was a key component of “Lob City,” which Chris Paul directed. Now that Paul is in Houston alongside James Harden, the Swiss big man should be seeing an endless amount of alley-oop lobs coming his way.

Capela has improved his field goal percentage each year, and with the addition of the “Point God,” he should be able to shoot over 70 percent from the field as a result of increased alley-oop and dunk opportunities.

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