NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19

6. Clint Capela, Houston Rockets

Playing with James Harden and Chris Paul clearly makes Clint Capela‘s job easier, but these rankings aren’t determined in a vacuum. Context matters, so no matter how good Capela would be on another team, his fit with the Houston Rockets easily makes him one of the best centers in the NBA.

At the age of 24, Capela enjoyed his best season thus far, posting 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on a league-leading 65.2 percent shooting from the floor. He’s one of the game’s elite rim-runners and alley-oop threats, especially as he continues to expand his passing to find open shooters when rolling into the teeth of the defense.

He’s no slouch on the defensive end either, with impressive shot-blocking instincts and quick-twitch leaping ability. He can even hold his own on the perimeter for the most part. Make no mistake about it: Regardless of fit, supporting talent or individual skill level, this version of Clint Capela on this Rockets team is a dynamic pairing.