Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-2022 season: 50-41

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 29: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles between Malcolm Brogdon #7 and Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on January 29, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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Top 50 NBA players ranked: 47. Clint Capela

Previous Rank: NA

Not ranked a season ago, Clint Capela was one of the driving forces of the fun story that was the Atlanta Hawks this season. Brought in at the previous deadline but never getting a chance to suit up for the Hawks in the 2019-2020 season due to the pandemic, last season’s debut performance left fans excited for more to come with their core as a whole as well as for Capela.

Capela led the league in rebounds this season, averaging 14.3 per game. He controlled the glass and paired expertly with John Collins to make a bothersome frontcourt for opposing teams to deal with, opening up extra space for the plethora of wings on the team to take advantage of. He added to that number with 15.2 points and 2.0 blocks per game.

Capela’s role with this team will be even more important this season. Onyeka Okongwu grew across the season as a defensive stalwart off the bench but will miss a decent chunk of time following offseason surgery. The Hawks brought Gorgui Dieng in as a capable backup, but they will need Capela to be everything that he was a season ago. He had 30 games of 15 or more rebounds this past season. While the counting numbers may not have to be the same, his impact on the court needs to continue for the Hawks to have a chance at getting back to the Conference Finals.