By George Efkarpides / info@eurohoops.net
The Houston Rockets are back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2015.
Clint Capela is one of three players remaining from that squad with the other two being James Harden and Trevor Ariza although his role is completely different nowadays.
Mike D’ Antoni’s squad will try to dethrone the Warriors and many believe that they possess the experience and talent necessary to do so.
Even though the team is built around two future Hall-of-Fame guards in Chris Paul and James Harden, it just may be Clint Capela making the ultimate difference.
“I could be that piece” is what Capela told Eurohoops when asked if he could be the “x-factor” against a stacked Golden State squad.
Capela has taken on former DPOY runner-up in Rudy Gobert and has done an excellent job on both defense and offense averaging 15 ppg, 11.5 rpg and 3.25 bpg in the series.
Working with Hakeem Olajuwon has transformed Capela’s career with the Hall-of-Famer displaying his excitement in Houston’s most recent victory over the Utah Jazz in which the Swiss center had 6 blocks.
His ability to finish strong at the rim while setting strong, space-creating screens may be the determining factor in the potential upcoming series against Golden State.
Steve Kerr has had to experiment with starting lineups in order to deal with all-star centers like LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis but Capela is a different type of player.
He does not demand the ball and he doesn’t need it to do damage.
If the Warriors use Looney or McGee, Calea will force the switch on the pick n roll and then, it will either by a Harden mismatch isolation or a Capela alley-oop dunk.
At 24 year of age, Capela is barely scratching the surface and his immediate impact on this Rockets squad is often overseen.
Can he help the Rockets reach the finals for the first time in 23 years?