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Houston Rockets: 2017-18 season primer: How high will they soar?

By Logan Metzger

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers look on during the second half of a game at Staples Center on April 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the LA Clippers look on during the second half of a game at Staples Center on April 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 02: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets at the Pepsi Center on December 2, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 02: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets at the Pepsi Center on December 2, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Clint Capela Primed for a Breakout Season

The Rockets rotation is primarily comprised of polished, developed veterans. Seven players on their current roster have played eight or more NBA seasons. Therefore, it is unlikely we are going to see a breakout season from the superstars in James Harden and Chis Paul, or from any established veterans like Trevor Ariza, Nene and Eric Gordon.

However, Clint Capela has only three years of NBA experience and showed improvement last season as the Rocket’s starting center. In the 2015-2016 NBA season Capela played a fair amount, but backed up Dwight Howard at center. Below is a table comparing Capela’s 2015-2016 and 2016-2017:

Season MPG PPG RPG FG% FT%

2015-2016

 19.1 7.0 6.4 58.2% 37.9%

2016-2017

 23.9 12.6 8.1 64.3%

53.1%

Capela improved his statistical totals and shooting percentage in his first year as the starting center. His free throw percentage was still abysmal, but an improvement nonetheless.

Is Capela going to be an Allstar candidate by February? Of course not, but he could ‘breakout’ into the type of center that the Rockets need. The video below shows Capela’s highlights from the regular season finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 12.

Notice how you didn’t see Capela back anyone down in the post or perform any up-and-under post moves. That isn’t his game and the Rockets don’t want Capela to be a ball dominating, back to the basket center. Capela’s game fits perfectly for the modern pace-and-space NBA and what the Rockets are trying to accomplish offensively.

The highlights show Capela utilizing his strengths to his full ability. Protecting the basket, running on fast breaks, grabbing offensive rebounds and finishing at the rim on pick n’ rolls. If he continues to improve those skills and increases his free throw percentage, Capela could have a breakout year. Averaging a double-double and becoming an elite rim protector isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

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