Rockets' Clint Capela marvels at Nikola Jokic's progress since 2014

PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season. less PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David ... more Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press Image 1 of / 125 Caption Close Rockets' Clint Capela marvels at Nikola Jokic's progress since 2014 1 / 125 Back to Gallery

During the World Select Team practices for the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit, Rockets center Clint Capela never imagined he or then-teammate Nikola Jokic would become thriving NBA players, double-double machines for their teams.

As Capela and the Rockets prepare to face Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday — the Rockets are 2-0 in the two games Capela played in this season, 2-1 overall — Capela continues to be amazed at how far he and the 2019 All-Star have come.

"He's just a really smart player," Capela said. "I love to play against guys like that of course, and it's a big challenge that I'm going to look forward to. Jokic, (Karl-Anthony) Towns, they were on my team in the Nike Hoop Summit before the NBA.

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"We always remind ourselves that we were on the same team five years ago. Today we all start in the NBA so it's special to play against them."

On HoustonChronicle.com: Rockets get another test in Nuggets

It's a reality that Capela never anticipated, both for himself and Jokic.

"Five years (ago) he was good but nah. He was really smart and talented, he had all that but to translate that to the NBA and have that much impact, I would never guess that. The way he adapted was really good," he said. "Five years ago I would not see myself even here."

With seven games remaining in the regular season, Capela is focused on developing himself for the postseason workload against centers like Jokic.

"Mostly trying to get my body stronger for the playoffs because I know that it's going to be big minutes," he said. "I'm just trying to focus more on getting my body stronger, a little heavier for the playoffs."

When the Rockets face the Nuggets, they'll do so without forward Kenneth Faried (knee) and guard Gerald Green (shoulder).

After missing all seven shots in Houston's 108-94 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, guard Eric Gordon is listed as probable (ankle).

Regardless of who plays in the backcourt, Capela looks forward to the challenge down low.

"Another challenge, I'm always up to it and I'm going to be ready," he said of Thursday's game.

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