By Josh Reese

Editor

Clint Capela is back! And ready for action! That action is something he may find sooner than he imagined. With the Rockets low on big men due to injuries to Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones, Capela could very well see time in Kevin McHale’s rotation of bigs.

Before joining the Rockets’ NBDL affiliate in the Rio Grande Valley, Capela did see a bit of actual game time, enough to snag three rebounds. But it was clear Capela needed some seasoning and some game time, things he would not get with the Rockets. So to the D-League he went.

But while with the Vipers, the 6-foot-9 rookie forward from Switzerland took advantage of every minute he was given. In six games, Capela averaged 14 minutes per night and pulled down nearly a double-double in those limited minutes with 9 points/game and 7.2 rebounds/game. Oh, and he also averaged 3.17 blocks, a fairly remarkable total in just 14 minutes.

Capela doing work



Oh and Capela, can really, honestly dunk!



“Out there was good for me, I’m not used to play like American fast all the time,” Capela said about his time with the Vipers.

Capela could see some time with the Rockets hurt by injuries seemingly everywhere. That’s especially the case now that Capela is back in Houston with a bit more of a defined game.

“Fast break, rebound intensity, just play hard and use my length of defense and block shots,” Capela said when asked what he can give the Rockets now.

Capela working with Kevin McHale



Though you can see hints of greatness, it’s clear Capela is MILES away from being an everyday player with the Rockets. But in the meantime, what we may see is a fairly decent NBA player who can give Houston some spot minutes on the defensive end.

And after all, isn’t that what the Rockets most need from him this season?