It’s well-known that the Houston Rockets like to dominate their opponents with size. So much, that they added Clint Capela in the summer, even after having two very good centers in Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams.
Rockets need to be very specific when employing double-big lineup
Okay, part of that had to do with preserving Adams, who has a history of injuries to his lower extremities and is in his 12th season.
(Well, 13th if you consider his missed 2023-24 season).
Rockets coach Ime Udoka found success in trotting out the double-big lineup last season, playing both Sengun and Adams at the same time.
Naturally, Udoka decided to double-down on that strategy this season, starting both centers at the onset of the season (although Josh Okogie eventually replaced Adams as an actual starter). The Rockets lead the league in offensive rebounds and second-chance points, in addition to total rebounds, rebounding margin, rebound percentage and offensive rebounding percetange.
And Adams has been a huge reason, leading the league with 4.5 offensive rebounds.
However, Sengun ranks 14th with 3 offensive boards, Amen Thompson ranks 19th with 2.7 offensive boards, and Capela ranks 25th with 2.5 offensive rebounds.
With four players ranking in the top-25 of offensive rebounds, it’s no surprise that Houston ranks third overall in offensive rating, because they’re getting additional scoring opportunities.
However, the double-big lineup should be limited to just Sengun and Adams. We’ve seen Udoka trot out Capela and Sengun and um….yeah, he needs to abandon that. Expeditiously.
In general, Capela has looked like a drastic shell of himself. His mobility has been God-awful.
To say that he’s looked slow would be an understatement. And he has hands of stone, at least now.
What really stood out about the younger Capela is that he played like his hair was on fire. He was outhustling bigs who were more skilled and talented than him.
And while regression is natural as a player ages, again, Capela’s mobility just isn’t there. Not to mention having him on the floor with Sengun just absolutely kills the spacing.
The Rockets are -0.5 with Capela on the court and 12.5 with him off the court.
It’s becoming impossible to justify giving him minutes at all. But he should definitely not be a part of the double-big lineup, even if that was the initial plan upon signing him.
See More:
