Houston Rockets: 2017-18 player grades for Clint Capela

After receiving multiple assignments to play in the G League his rookie season, Clint Capela has found a way to emerge as Clutch City’s ideal big man, putting together a career year in his fourth season with the Houston Rockets.

Despite playing on a squad that attempts more 3-pointers than any in the history of basketball, Clint Capela has made a name for himself by doing the opposite for the Houston Rockets. The 24-year old rim-running center displayed tremendous signs of growth last season en route to emerging as one of the most vital weapons in Mike D’Antoni‘s offense.

In his second full season as a starter, Capela averaged a career-high 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game through 74 contests for Houston. He joined the great Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore and Rudy Gobert as the only players in NBA history to average at least 13 points and shoot 65 percent or better from the field in a single season, becoming the first player in Rockets franchise history to lead the league in field goal percentage during the regular season.

He also finished the year ranked in the top 15 or better among all qualified players in Player Efficiency Rating and True Shooting Percentage. The player known as the Swiss Roll heads into the summer as one of the most highly coveted big men on the free agency market after putting together an impressive run with Clutch City throughout the regular season and the playoffs.

Is the fourth-year big man’s stellar season worthy of a max contract? Here’s an in-depth look at Capela’s 2017-18 campaign.