Atlanta Hawks: Ranking all 5 starters for the 2021-22 season

Atlanta Hawks starters ranked: 2. C Clint Capela

Clint Capela just landed a two-year, $46 million extension. It’s a richly-deserved deal for a big man who remains underrated across the NBA and was, at times, the Hawks’ best player last season.

Capela’s offensive skills are often overlooked, but he proved to be quite capable in that category during his first full season in Atlanta. Capela hit 59.4 percent of his field goals as he averaged 15.2 points per game. He even nabbed his first career triple-double this year.

His offensive impact isn’t limited to putting the ball in the basket, though. Capela is one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA, averaging a career-high 4.7 offensive rebounds per game last season; his 297 offensive rebounds led the NBA. His 17.5 offensive rebound percentage was also best in the league.

Speaking of rebounds, Capela is now the best in the NBA in that facet of the game. He averaged 14.3 total rebounds per game last season, the first time the big man has led the league. In addition to leading the league in offensive rebounds, he finished fifth in total defensive rebounds, a vacuum sucking up all loose boards off the rim.

Capela’s defensive impact goes beyond the boards. The center hit 2.0 blocks per game for the first time in his career last season. The blocks per game ranked fourth in the league and his block percentage ranked fifth. His 106.2 defensive rating ranked just outside the top five.

Capela is solid offensively and spectacular defensively. His presence is what keeps the Hawks defense afloat.