In today's NBA, you don't need a big gun at the 5 to win a championship. You need a versatile two-way lineup that can hold its own on the perimeter. The three point shot and analytics has changed the game. I think the Rockets could have landed Chandler from Phoenix, Lopez in Chicago, or Biyombo in Orlando for very little. Also, I have also never once said Capela is a bad player. But he's not a good fit against the Warriors. Same with DeAndre Jordan, Nerlens Noel, etc. It sucks, but it's the truth. And the goal is a championship, not to make it to past the 2nd round. The Rockets have to be able to beat the Warriors in a 7 game series to win a title. End of discussion. The only guy Clint can guard when the Warriors go small is Draymond, who is quicker than he is, and it forces Capela to be defending 25 feet away from the basket, which he's not really used to doing. Then you are hoping he gets a ton of alleyoops on the offensive end because he can't punish Draymond in the post.
Deandre Jordan's age 22 season (3rd year in the league): 26 mpg, 7 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks a game...10 points, 10 boards, and 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes Clint Capela's age 22 season (3rd year in the league): 24 mpg, 12 points, 8 boards, and a block a game...19 points, 12 boards, and 2 blocks per 36 minutes Capela has a lot of promise
Tristan Thompson destroyed the Warriors with his pick and roll defense when they won their championship, and that is the exact model for what Clint Capela can be for us. He has the potential to be an elite pick and roll defender because of his nimble feet, while still giving us an excellent finisher at the rim to keep the defense honest. It is critical to beat the Warriors. We are not talented enough to win with Zaza, and Tyson Chandler is FAR from a sure thing even If we did manage to trade for him.
All these people wanting to give up Clint after getting Paul are crazy. Paul was great with DeAndre and Clint can do a lot of the same things on the offensive end. Plus we will need the interior defense he offers.
Also, Clint is our LAST good trading piece. We trade him for Melo we are effectively saying that this is our team, this is our core for the foreseeable future. We really ready to commit to that? Fact is, Clint is worth more than Melo, that's why you don't trade him for Melo. You can get a lot more for him if you're going to trade him.
Multiple rotation players? In my scenario, the only rotation piece the Rockets lose is Capela. And they replace him with Melo. Worst case, I guess it may have had to be Anderson and Capela for salary purposes.
If Clint can successfully guard Draymond on the perimeter for extended stretches when the Rockets play the Warriors, then Morey was smart to not give him up. If he can't, then he's a 15-20 minute a game guy, who's only playable against Zaza and McGee.
How good of a trade chip will Capela be after he gets paid next summer though? Now is time to move him if you find the third star that fits.
Can Green hold Clint on the other end? Clint is a weapon with Harden or Paul always on the court with him.
I think he can ... Well as much as any player can "guard" another player . It's all about team D. I think Clint has the athleticism to force green into very tough shots ... Granted green can pass too .. Which brings me back to team D.
Presti did really well this summer flipping CRAP for stars. We can't fully judge those trade until next summer though.
I still don't get why Indiana accepted Sabonis and Oladipo for George. It's like we will give you toyota and renault for that ferrari. Without picks
The Warriors don't always go small. And there are definitely times when you can go big with a guy like Clint and have a positive net impact... in the same way TT was good two Finals ago. The thing about the Warriors is you have to both have Clint... AND have the ability to play without a Clint. They're just so good and deep and versatile. The Rockets shouldn't be trading Clint. The idea with Melo was to add a piece that would let you go small or stay big.
Knicks wanted Ariza & Gordon New York had been willing to do an Anthony deal with his preferred choice, Houston, that included Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza, but the Rockets consistently rejected that idea, league sources said. Houston had become the focus of Anthony's trade request after the Rockets acquired All-Star guard Chris Paul, a close friend, in late June. But Houston needed a deal to include forward Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $60 million left on his contract.
Talent is always available before the trade deadline. Rockets aren't entirely dereft of assets. Much better to hold off than add more than they offered for Melo. As we see the Knicks ultimately accepted a very similar deal anyway. It's not like they were ridiculously outbid. Ryan just had 1 year too many on his contract. Oh well. He'll be valuable for sure in the season. Playoffs...????
How many shots do you expect Draymond to take? 20? Last time I checked he has 3 guys ahead of him, you should worry about those 3 guys offense way before you worry about Green drop 20 points on us.
