Naming the Houston Rockets All-Decade First Team

Center: Clint Capela

When it comes to Houston’s starting center, Dwight Howard is an honorable mention, but Clint Capela takes the top spot. He leads all Houston centers in total points (3,532), rebounds (2,706) and blocks (419) in this decade.

Capela has spent his entire five year career with the Rockets and has averaged 12.0 points and 9.2 rebounds over that stretch. Capela had his best statistical season last year, finishing with 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, both career highs.

Capela’s ability to set screens up top and roll to the rim as a lob threat creates so much spacing for the ball handler, which is typically James Harden, and Houston’s 3-point shooters. He’s also a great rim protector and he does a good job at staying in front of guards on the perimeter, which makes him very useful in Houston’s defense that switches while defending the pick-and-roll.

The unique thing about Capela that’s from the rest of the players on this list is that he has yet to reach his peak years. The 25-year-old still has time to get even better and if Houston wants to advance to The Finals next year, they’ll need Capela to have another career season.