What is going on with him? At camp? Already in D League? Just another temporary "asset"? I have visions of him engaging in a block party on Aldridge with Dwight in the next playoffs.
Just my opinion, but I'd be very surprised if he sniffed the court with the Rockets this season. I've watched a few games and while there is talent, he is pretty raw. I don't worry about his physical ability, I worry more about his ability to actually get the game. Would not surprise me in the least if CC was included in a deal this year.
I'm guessing Capela is more of a project. He's got a lot of potential but he's nowhere near ready to be a contributor in the NBA this year. He will be in the D-League the whole year. In fact, if I remember correctly, Morey wanted him to stay in Europe to develop and he would bring him over to the Rockets in a year or two. But Capela pretty much demanded to come over this year. Can anybody confirm if that is correct or am I mistaken?
That is correct. And the agreement came down immediately after the Bosh signing fell apart and the subsequent non-match of Parsons offer sheet. That's why I think Capela is trade bait. Because Morey essentially gave in and signed him after the Bosh and Parsons deals went south. I think Morey is looking to combine Capela and possibly some other young assets for another future first and perhaps an expiring salary or he's looking to straight up trade Capela and some young talent for a starting/rotation player.
Young, defensively talented bigs are hard to find. That's why I think Capela is the long term solution for the backup center spot. The Joey Dorsey / Torik Black's of the world are essentially stop gaps until Capela develops a little further.
Clutch mentioned that he was at training camp, though he was not seen and he left quickly. Really odd that we still have not seen action from a guy who has been hanging around with the team since summer league. It probably means nothing, but take it for what you will.
Keeping an eye on Capela ever since I heard that analyst say if you've ever seen him play you would know why teams shouldn't draft him on draft night. I hope he can at least be a serviceable backup after an assessment like that.
Gotta believe 'that' analyst. Draft grades are made by what the professional non-in-an-NBA-place-draftniks think about their own ratings. CC is D for year; or trade bait. May well become something, but apparently not too uh, soon.
If he plays great defense, and shows he can rebound early on, I wouldn't rule out him getting PT this year. For those of you that don't know, this guy has freakish length, is still growing, and has potential for elite level defensive presence in the paint. He's raw yes, but he has the tools that few bigs coming into Houston's system in the past have had. He has physical abilities that guys like Jones, D-Mo, and Scola, Landry, etc. have not had in the past. I wouldn't rule him out of anything just yet, and I wouldn't go as far as to call him "Trade Bait". He has physical abilities that rarely get in Morey's hands given where they draft & how they make trades. Don't expect much right off the bat, but keep an eye out this year. I'm sure he will start in the D-League, but again... if he can help defensively and on the glass, there is a place for him on this roster.
I don't see the downside in bringing him over this year for the D League. Its undeniable that CC would excel faster over here in our farm system; why let him play two more years in Europe with less quality training and acclimation to the NBA game?
I haven't seen any interviews or any pictures with CC. can't remember seeing a first rounder being kept such a secret from the media and fans. They obviously are trying to trade him and keep him a mystery for teams to keep his trade value decently high. Not expecting anything from this guy in a rockets uniform
Also increases the value of his contract. we won't be paying for someone to develop and then if he does intact develop some other team gets to swipe him away in his productive years.