Clint Capela most likely to have a breakout year according to BR
By Tevin Williams
Of the all the centers in the NBA, Clint Capela is the most likely to have a breakout season, according to Bleacher Report.
As the NBA’s older players enter the twilight of their respective careers, the fresher legs of their younger colleagues spring into their former roles.
At 23 years old, Rockets center Clint Capela is ready to take his game to the next level.
Bleacher Report’s Adam Fromal recently projected the top five non-rookies and non-sophomores at each position that are the most likely to have a breakout season.
Clint Capela was chosen as the most likely to improve his game at the center position. Fromal credited much of his decision to the acquisition of Chris Paul, who is an excellent pick-and-roll player.
James Harden was an elite facilitator in the pick-and-roll. But now, Chris Paul is also a member of the Houston Rockets, and he’s an even more deft distributor. Almost every set should begin with Capela running to the top of the key and setting a screen, then waiting for the opportune moment to dive toward the basket.
After appearing in just 12 games during his rookie season, Capela has already improved his game drastically. Last season, he averaged career highs in points (12.6), rebounds (8.1) and field goal percentage (64.3).
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After bringing in Paul, the Rockets have shown that they are ready to go all in for an NBA title. For Houston to accomplish that goal, Capela needs to develop into one of the best centers in the Western Conference.
The Rockets will run a lot of pick-and-rolls.
Last season, James Harden took advantage of his move to point guard by running a lot of pick-and-rolls. He scored 957 points as the pick-and-roll ball handler, more than any other player in the NBA. He set his teammates up quite often in screen plays as well.
Both Nene and Capela finished in the top 15 in points per possession in the pick-and-roll as the roll man among players with at least 100 such possessions. CP3’s former teammate, DeAndre Jordan, finished first in points per possession in the same category, at a blistering 86 percent from the field.
Next: Why Clint Capela will have a breakout season
Chris Paul is arguable the best pick-and-roll player in the NBA, when factoring in his ability to score and distribute. With Harden and Paul drawing all of the defense’s attention, Capela will find plenty of open looks at the rim.