Interview Clint Capela: "James Harden and Chris Paul are players who make you better"

http://www.basketusa.com/news/476721/interview-clint-capela-a-force-de-travail-on-arrive-a-tout/

Interview Clint Capela: "James Harden and Chris Paul are players who make you better"
By Michael Da Costa - On February 9, 2018 at 16:084

Very impressive this season with 14.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 against average, Clint Capela is on a cloud. A key element of one of the best teams in the league, the former Chalonnais feast in Texas, and for Basket USA, he returns to this first half of the season almost ideal for him as for his training.

What season of yours so far!


(Smile). Yes, it's true that I'm happy with what I've been doing since the beginning of the season. I feel fit and have an impact on my team's game one way or another match after game. I feel that the work I have been doing for several years is paying off, and I am very happy with it. But I will not stop there. There are still a lot of matches and I want to keep going. The All-Star Break will arrive and then it will be necessary to finish the regular season in the best possible way.

What is your view of the Rockets season?

She is very positive. We win a lot of games, we win long streaks of wins away and we progress. We really enjoy playing together and the band is great. We live well and we all want to help the franchise to return to the fore. We beat very good teams and we know what we are capable of. We want to continue this momentum.

"My teammates trust me"
A word to describe the duo of fire composed of James Harden and Chris Paul?

Exceptional! (smile) James walks on the water as usual and CP3 is really a very high level player. Both complement each other well and they help others to improve. I love playing with them. They are players who make you better, and leaders. Some people thought that James was going to have a different impact with the arrival of Chris, but when you're a player of this level, you know how to adjust to the novelty. They have a huge impact on the band, that's for sure. We are united and solid around them.

You feel at ease in the systems of Mike D'Antoni ...

I feel good and have responsibilities. I know what to do and I learn a lot with the staff. I try to read the game and study the game to the full, analyzing by video or looking at my opponents. I feel very good in the game systems, I have balls in attack, I am responsible for defense and I know that my teammates have confidence in me. When you're in a situation like this, you want to give everything for your team and that's what I try to do day after day.

We see you very close to Luc Mbah A Moute, Francophone like you ...

Yes, we get on very well with Luc. It's nice to speak French but also to be with a veteran like him, who knows the league and his game on the fingertips. We talk about everything, we laugh, he gives me advice, I really appreciate his presence, it's a plus for me. He's a fighter, a warrior, and I love playing with him. He defends hard, few people talk about him, but he's really a very high level defender. Our level of defense is growing, and it's also partly because of the impact of guys like Luc and Tucker.

"Olajuwon has marked the history of basketball, you can only listen to it and learn"
You are playing your fourth season in the league, arguably the best of your career so far. What is your view of your progress?

I'm happy with the journey so far, but I do not want to stop there. I do not know if 4 years ago I saw myself arriving at this level, but I work hard and I try to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to me. When I arrived at the Rockets, there were stars like Dwight Howard and I had to tear myself up to get where I am today. I feel good, I know that I help the team but I do not want to stop there. I'm only 23, I want to continue my career and continue to become a complete player. There is no real secret. By dint of work, we come to everything.

Hakeem Olajuwon is very often present at the edge of the field during meetings at the Toyota Center. Does he advise you from time to time?

He often gives me advice. He tells me about the game and gives me from time to time some information on the movements in attack, on how to place me for example, full of advice. He's often at our home games, and it's huge to have a caption like that that gives you advice. This is an example for me, and even for other players, and I appreciate his advice. Hakeem Olajuwon has marked the history of basketball, you can only listen to it and learn.

Interviewed in Brooklyn

 

yes

 

yes