Houston Rockets: Clint Capela continues to be a consistent force

Clint Capela continues to get better, and is one of the biggest reasons for the Houston Rockets’ success

There’s a reason the Houston Rockets were more than willing to let Dwight Howard walk last summer, and it begins and ends with Clint Capela.

Through the first eight games of the 2017-18 season, Clint Capela is averaging 13.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for the Rockets. Capela is bringing physicality, energy, and activity on both ends of the floor on a consistent basis.

Oh, and he is shooting 74 percent from the field, which is tops in the NBA.

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In five of the first eight games, Capela has recorded a double-double. He has improved his points and rebounds per game every single year, and it looks as though that narrative will continue. He is also bringing it on the defense end and holding the fort down in the paint. He is averaging 1.4 blocks per game so far this season, and has only failed to record a block in one of the eight games.

He has also recorded at least one steal in six of the eight games.

Capela brings so much to this Rockets team. He runs the floor so well for a big man, and we have seen that he has developed quite the alley-oop connection with James Harden over the past few years. He is athletic, long, is a true paint presence, defends, rim-protects, and cleans up the boards defensively, or creates easy put-back opportunities and extra possessions on the offensive glass.

Also, his confidence is at an all-time high, and Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni knows it.

"[via Houston Chronicle]“He’s ready to go,” D’Antoni said. “Clint’s doing well. I think he can play anybody, no matter who it is.”“I feel way strong,” Capela, 23, said. “I feel way more confident. I’m excited to improve and that I can handle these guys and also dominate playing against these guys.“I know that I can be really effective offensively, like defensively. I’m confident, too. I feel stronger from last year. I’m really excited to show how I improved.”"

Capela is still only 23, but he has worked and improved on his game every single year. If he can continue to develop his offensive skill set and arsenal, he has the chance to develop into one of the better bigs in the entire game.

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If the Houston Rockets want to continue to be an elite team, Capela definitely needs to bring this level of productivity.

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