Hoops Habit
Fansided

Houston Rockets: 3 goals for Clint Capela in 2019-20

By Gavriel Wilkins

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 05: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center on April 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 05: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench prior to the game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center on April 5, 2019 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images /

2. Showcasing more versatility on offense

While most teams around the league would desperately crave to possess a high-energy center of Capela’s stature, one cannot help but wonder how the runner-up for the Most Improved Player award in 2017-18 might fare with a more diversified bag of moves in his toolbox.

This is a concern that has led many former and current NBA players to question his overall worth to Houston’s offensive attack, as several figures did not mince words when asked about his abilities on the floor.

"“Capela isn’t underrated or overrated,” former Rockets forward and seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry said to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Scoop B Radio when asked to access his overall game. “What I mean by that is he gets a lot of points because of James Harden. I had the pleasure of playing with Jason Kidd for one game and I got a lot of points because of him. Just because you did this and that, does that make you an elite player?” “He is just a player who got a lot of dunks off a really good player who drew a big crowd.”"

Although one could argue that there is some truth to Horry’s remarks above according to several advanced statistics and splits over the last few years, finding a way to establish firm positioning inside — combined with finishing amidst traffic when doubled in pick-and-rolls — might help the rim-running dynamo silence some of his biggest critics to date.

With the chance to showcase more versatility during his time on the offensive end of the floor, the player who has struggled often to catch passes and finish on the move has recently shown signs of improvement during his time with the Switzerland national team at the FIBA EuroBasket pre-qualifiers this summer.

Including a face-up jump shot, playing with an added fire and aggressiveness could help Capela spark his next stage of improvement this season en route to shedding the labels that have been cast upon him.

Home/Houston Rockets