Arrived at the Hawks on February 5 in the trade which notably sent Robert Covington to the Rockets, Clint Capela had time to get used to his new team and make his mark in his new city. We wish him as much success as during his last visit to the State Farm Arena: little clue, he had been excellent.
If you know a basketball fan who has discovered the world of the orange ball for only a few months then he has never known Houston with a pivot and it is very sad, if only for Hakeem Olajuwon. For those who have more than nine months of seniority, then the name of Clint Capela inevitably evokes some memories in the city with the rockets. The debut in back-up of Dwight Howard, then arrival in the five, the combinations with James Harden on pick and roll and this central role in the defense of Houston as circle protector and guarantor of the defensive rebound. Three and a half years of working in the shadows, bouncing vacuum cleaners to finally be transferred to Atlanta: the price for carrying out Mike D’Antoni’s pocket ball experiment. A project that finally came to an end and which will leave fans with regrets given the good fit that Clint Capela was at the Rockets. Player of duty, perfectly complementary to the local star and hardworking at will, he had rendered proud services to his club. One of the latest examples dates back to January 8, 2020, a trip… to Atlanta. Russell Westbrook at rest it is therefore the Harden-Capela duo who must lead the team to a victory that does not look too complicated. It must be said, Atlanta is not a thunderbolt of war. Despite everything, the Hawks hang on thanks to a gala Trae Young (42/13/10) who imitates James Harden as much by the numbers (41/10/10) as by the address (11/30 for the first, 9/34 for the second). And the one we call “Swiss Bank” in all of this? A very clean match with a big job to pulverize the opponent’s racket. In the figures it gives 22 points, 22 rebounds at 9/14 shooting plus 2 blocks and 2 steals (the video is here!), because obviously friend Clint also likes to weigh on his side of the field. The Hawks’ interior sector totally imploded that night with some giddy differentials. De’Andre Hunter positioned in 4 with John Collins in 5, small ball style, swallowed 16 rebounds between them against 39 for the Tucker-Capela pair. The latter even allowed himself to get 11 offensive rebounds on the head of his hosts. Of course, his performance is a little eclipsed by that of his accomplice with the beard but he did not fail to highlight it at the end of the match, further proof of the complicity that existed between these two. .
“He does this every night. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He is the one who takes care of the best opposing player every night. “
Clint Capela knows the State Farm Arena well and for good reason, he did a big job the last time he was there. A small 20/20 from families and we are not far from the note it deserves on this match. It remains to be hoped for Hawks fans that he will shine just as much next year in the local uniform. With Trae Young to find it on pick and roll, you should be fine.
