Since the start of the season, Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela has been incredible. Not only has he been piling up historical milestones, Capela now has himself the first triple-double in his six-year, 347 game career. It was one to remember for the big man.
Capela is starting to become a walking double-double, collecting six in as many games and seven in the last nine games. He has collected double-digit rebounds in the last 12 straight games which has only been done once this century by Dwight Howard.
The triple-double consisted of 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks in what was one of the most dynamic paint performances in a long time. Capela is showing all the skills which made the center such a dominant position back in the late ’90s.
He is the first Hawks player to have a ten-block triple-double since the year 2000 when Dikembe Mutombo had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 blocks against the New Jersey Nets. This is some impressive company for Capela to be keeping.
The Atlanta Hawks are loving a traditional big man
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While most teams in the NBA are looking for the unicorn, the big man who can block shots and hit 3-point shots, the Hawks seem incredibly happy with their traditional pivot and Capela is rewarding their faith in him with such great play
Not only is he collecting rebounds and blocking shots, but Capela is also creating confusion on the offensive end by being a constant lob threat. Defenders do not know to step up on Trae Young as he drives, opening up the lob option or stepping back on Capela which opens Young up for the easy paint points.
So, where does Clint Capela go from here? Should the conversation start about the potential quadruple-double which are incredibly rare? No, this would take Capela away from what he does best. He scores in the paint, he rebounds and he protects “his” paint as he said to Kelly Crull in an interview recently.
So what is next for Capela? To do what he does best time and time again. He is contracted for another two seasons after this one so the Hawks are looking for him to keep working for a while yet.