Nylon Calculus: The emergence of Clint Capela
We’ve only seen Chris Paul on the floor for one game this season, yet the Houston Rockets are still tied for the best record in the Western Conference. Their Moreyball offense (focused on 3-pointers and shots at the rim) is the second most efficient in the NBA, their defense is improved with the additions of P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute, and James Harden is still James Harden.
But the biggest story for the Rockets is the emergence of Clint Capela. He’s found a way to improve in nearly every aspect of the game. First, his scoring:
Capela has made a massive jump in efficiency this season, with the gains coming from improvements in both field goal percentage (up from 64.3 percent to 69.6 percent) and in free throw percentage (up from 53.1 percent to 70.3 percent). Last year, his true shooting percentage was among the league leaders for the season. This year, his true shooting percentage is one of the highest all time.
Fans often compare Capela’s offense to that of DeAndre Jordan, Tyson Chandler, or Rudy Gobert. Most of their shots are at the rim, and as a result, their high efficiency is expected. But Capela’s current season is far beyond any of theirs in terms of volume:
In the past, Rockets’ fans biggest complaints regarding Capela were on the defensive end. At just 240 pounds, he’s lighter than most opposing centers, so he’s struggled to be a premier rebounder and rim protector. This year, he’s addressed those issues:
He’s shown significant improvements in blocks and rebounding this season. In particular, his rebounding percentage is higher than that of any season by DeAndre Jordan, Rudy Gobert, and Tyson Chandler.
Capela’s improvements in scoring, rebounding, and defense rank him among the NBA’s most valuable centers. He’s certainly a tier below centers like DeMarcus Cousins and Kristaps Porzingis, but he has an argument to be in the same category as centers like DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond. Not bad for a 23-year-old.
Next: Kristaps Porzingis is finally free
The main focus for Capela moving forward is improving his endurance. Last year he played 23.9 minutes per game, and this year he plays just 25.9. If he can eventually play at the same level for 32-34 minutes per game, he’ll be among the top centers in the league.