For $15M a year, he can stay the same. For $25M a year, I want him to be able to face up, especially against small-ball lineups.
I’ve seen him stroke some jumpers before too. The thing about Clint is that he ain’t no going nowhere where he doesn’t feel comfortable. He stays within the system. He goes outside those lines, he ain’t gonna be the same Clint as we see now.
Dear Clint Capela, You can become richer than you had ever imagined if you can shut down Draymond Green and protect the paint! We believe in you! You have the best players behind you supporting you this is your time! You have practiced for this you deserve this! rcketsfan1
The only thing that I think is feasible is improving on jump hooks, getting to 60 percent FT's, and slowly developing a mid range jumper. I think KG could also help him out when Hakeem is not here in Houston.
I don't know, but he has shown a willingness to help any players with post play in the off season. He clearly wants to impart his skills to them. Even Thon Maker got a few lessons from him.
Agreed. This is ultimate "win now" mode, and if it's justifiable that another 6'8" SF/PF fits better than Capela to beat the Warriors then there's no good reason to pay him the max. Capela is arguably the best true center to throw out there against the Warriors, so if that doesn't work (or at least come very close to success) it's an unfortunate truth that you have to try a different approach. Going down the road I think the Warriors will improve as well (abandon their glutton of 5's and shift to more small lineups) so having a great center won't matter as much unless he can switch everything.
Nice call. Talking strictly in terms of post game. I think KG’s post game could translate to Capela much better than Hakeem’s in terms of effectiveness and ability to “pick up” and replicate. A lot of people always say Hakeem should teach Player X or player Y should take lessons from Dream. Hakeem has had a lot of pupils. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out in such that whoever trains with Dream is able to pick things up and use them effectively. There’s no denying Hakeem has a wealth of knowledge to pass on but his post game is far from ‘basic’ and rather quite complex. It heavily incorporates having good balance, coordination, being fluid and having excellent footwork among many other things. There’s a reason why Hakeem said Kobe was his best student and why Kobe was able to pick things up much easier and use them more effectively than anyone else he taught. You can’t expect to replicate an unstoppable turnaround fadeaway without being automatic with the jumper from within 15ft first.
I don't think a midrange shot opens up the PNR for Harden or CP3 at all. I'd argue that his current threat as an alley oop target frees them up much more. The opposing big simply cannot commit to the ball handler when Clint running towards the rim. We've played Ryno and Tucker at at center this year in small ball lineups. They're both willing to take threes but the extra space is not nearly as important as Capela's rim running. A midrange threat would space the floor even less. We can see that with Nene who has an okay midrange shot, but doesn't really space the floor. If Clint develops his offense further, it should probably either be a dribble drive game or some other way that gets him going towards the hoop. He's already had drives from the free throw line when the center sags off with good results.
Yes the but the different between Ryno, Tucker, and Nene at the C is that they can't roll and finish at the rim like Capela
Let me remind you of the potential that the Harden and Malone PnR can be become if capela develops a shot. Lord forgive me for this, but see exhibit semi-poor mans Malone and Stockon PNR.
and thats why CC doesn't need to start shooting jump shots bc he is the balance that the team needs. He keeps the rockets versatile and the rim runner needed to get easy baskets. him shooting jumpers is just redundant to the rest of the players on the roster
If Capela starts taking midrange jumpers, he's taking himself away from the rim as well albeit voluntarily. What's the league average on midrange jumpers, 39 or 40%? Unless, Capela becomes an otherworldly midrange shooter teams will give him that shot all day. Ibaka was an excellent midrange shooter in OKC and teams would still give that too him. It was better than letting Westbrook or Harden drive to the rim. With Capela being an alley oop threat teams cannot crowd Harden or CP3 at all because the oop is such a high percentage play. I know you're envisioning a Stockton-Malone PNR dynasty, but our offense is better than Utah's. We're one of the best offensive teams of all time. I don't think Capela taking midrange jumpers frees up anything.
I don’t see how it hurts for Capela to further develop his offensive game. Thinking that he will somehow hurt us or disrupt the offensive flow would be thinking very short sided. If we end up paying Capela the $100+ Million and or max money and lock him up long term and he doesn’t develop and improve other aspects of his game we’d be shorting ourselves and he’d be stunting his development especially under the assumption we plan to re-sign him again after his next contract. He’s young enough (not even 24 yet) to make improvements to his game right now. He’s already made improvements each summer so why not keep pushing and see what other parts of his game he can develop? Short term thinking he’s fine doing the things he’s doing but you gotta remember by the time Capela is in his prime 28-32 CP3 will already be gone and Harden will likely be on his way out and or have slowed down considerably and he’s not going to be able to hook him as easily as he can right now. We saw how great DJ looked with CP3 by his side and his game and value took a major hit once CP3 left and he now he’s perceived as being overpaid which he wasn’t when Paul was around. A lot of the success Capela is enjoying this year is because of Harden and Paul. He can’t and we can’t rely on always having a world class backcourt around feeding him easy opportunities.
Capela has quick feet. I won't be surprised if he picks up some post moves from Hakeem. He has the athleticism to make these moves. He sure learned well from Hakeem on blocking shots, and keeping the blocked shots in possession.
because hes not a AD/cousins type of player where he can put the ball on the floor and shoot jumpers all game long. you play to your strengths, not try to be something you're not. CC has plenty to work on to be even better but developing a jumpshot isn't one of them. case in point howard shooting jumpers all summer long was probably one of the most idiotic things ive ever seen. In no way did that translate to winning basketball in an actual game nor will it ever will developing a jumpshot applies to a guy like greek freak or simmons who live on the perimeter. this age of bigs does not need a CC shooting jumpers, especially on this team.
