The NBA started tracking blocks back in the 1973-74 season. Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela has accomplished something that has only been done once since this metric has been recorded. He collected 45 rebounds and 15 blocks without committing a turnover in a two-game span.
The only other player in NBA history to accomplish this feat is Kareem Abdul-Jabber, who did it back in 1975, 46 years ago. This is an incredible company for Capela to be in, one of the greatest players of all time.
This is the quality of Capela’s play since he has started playing for the team and now that the Hawks are winning again, he is being seen as a huge threat to opposition gameplans. Not only is he an offensive threat when he goes to work in the paint but he is opening up the court for Trae Young to wreak havoc thanks to his finishes off lobs.
His rebounding and shot-blocking also need to be factored into any teams scouting report. Capela has been a beast on the board and currently sitting in second in the league for rebounds per game. Capela’s 15 blocks in the last two games have moved him to third in the league.
The Atlanta Hawks need Clint Capela to continue his tear.
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The Hawks do indeed need to have Capela continue his tear, they are not out of the woods yet. Despite the fact they have three wins in a row, the next three games will test them. The first game is against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Capela is going to have one of the best paint scorers since Shaquille O’Neal attacking him at every opportunity. Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to require some stopping if the Hawks are going to escape Milwaukee with a victory.
Then they are going to be hosting the LA Clippers followed by the Brooklyn Nets. To put it simply the Hawks need Capela to continue his Abdul-Jabbar numbers if they want to win either game in the homestand.
Hopefully, Capela can keep up the double-figure rebounding streak he is compiling as he is playing at a historic level and deserves to be remembered with the greats, particularly the triple-double where he had the ten blocks.
Currently, it looks as though the Hawks season depends on the brilliance of Capela and he is going to do his best to carry them with Trae Young and John Collins to a decent playoff berth.