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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 ways everything goes right for the Rockets

By Connor Learn

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: Clint Capela
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: Clint Capela /

4. Clint Capela’s game takes another step

Swiss born Clint Capela was drafted 25th overall in the 2014 Draft by the Rockets. He was only 20 when he arrived to the States and spent the vast majority of his first season in the D-League. Capela impressed with his defense that first season and earned rotation minutes for his second season. He managed to earn some starts alongside Dwight Howard and was the assumed starter once Howard departed for Atlanta. Capela was a key cog in the Rockets last season in his first year as a full-time starter, averaging 12.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks nightly.

Capela only played 23.9 minutes per game despite being a starter. Nene Hilario received 17.9 minutes in his backup center role, but the 35-year-old may not be able to sustain that level of activity all season. Montrezl Harrell is gone as the third center and replaced with Tarik Black, a lateral move at best. Capela can seize more minutes and break out this season with improved play and conditioning, which appears to be the next logical step in his progression.

Continued improvement from their young center would help make Houston even more dangerous. Capela has improved noticeably in every season to date and could reasonably do so again this year, especially given that he’s playing for a new contract. If he receives more minutes and comes close to his per-36-minute stats last year of 19-12.2-1.8, then Capela will establish himself as one of the league’s best young big men and be hugely valuable to the Rockets.