Rockets: Clint Capela finishes runner-up for Most Improved Player

By Michael Knight

Jun 25, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 12: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers on November 12, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The center for the Rockets had a great season and finished right behind the expected winner for the award he was a finalist for this year.

Clint Capela has officially behind Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers for the Most Improved Player award. The star center for the Rockets had an incredible year but came up short in the voting, finishing runner-up with Spencer Dinwiddie.

This was expected due to the All-Star surge that Oladipo had this season after being practically a role player for the Thunder the year before. Capela was amazing for the team, but Oladipo completely renovated and improved his game the most.

Capela’s season

Clint certainly had the best year of his career, of course. He averaged 13.9 points per game to go along with 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in a season where he was probably the “third star” for the Rockets.

Clint fit in perfectly with CP3 this season and he was a huge reason why Capela improved so much. The pick-and-roll combo with CP3/Harden and Capela was deadly and the offense of the Rockets relied on it.

The Rockets also loved the defensive prowess that he brought to the team this year. He was the anchor of the team defensively and had tons of multi-block games.

Future

This season was just a touch of the potential that Clint Capela has in this league. He is a restricted free agent that will likely earn near the max amount of money this offseason. If all things stand pat, the Rockets will be willing to pay him as much as he deserves.

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Coming runner-up to the Most Improved Player award is just the start for the Swiss center. Next season, he’ll definitely be gunning for an All-Star selection and hopefully, propelling Houston to the championship.