Atlanta Hawks: Clint Capela finishes third in All-Defensive voting
While it may not seem like much, Clint Capela finishing third among centers in All-Defensive voting deserves mentioning. The Atlanta Hawks man in the middle has certainly put his imprint on this team and it would appear the national media is starting to take notice. In most cases, finishing third is nothing to write home about.
One gets somewhat of a pass when they’re behind only Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid in the game today.
The 2021 rebounding leader, Capela has turned himself quite the defensive anchor for the Hawks. In fact, he was left off of the voting results completely last season. But he’s had a rough go of it against Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. In four games, Embiid is putting up a full line with averages of 30.7 points, 13 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.75 blocks per game.
Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela finishes behind Gobert, Embiid for All-Defensive Teams
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When matched up against Capela, Embiid is shooting 53 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three. The latter figure is a drop from his regular-season efficiency, but if you’re more efficient overall, who cares?
That brings us to the other noteworthy bit related to Capela from Monday, and this too involves Embiid as the latter spent the second half of Game 4 laboring severely.
He still somehow managed to snag 21 boards. But the torn meniscus he’s dealing with flared up as he went 0-12 from the floor in the second half.
If Embiid were to miss time, it would be his second time this postseason. He missed the deciding Game 5 against the Wizards but it’s questionable if the 76ers can beat the Hawks without their phenomenal big man.
"“Whenever you wear him out, everything becomes tougher for him. When the fatigue comes in, it’s a different ballgame.” – via Dan Wolken"
This could allow for Capela to make a bigger impact on both ends of the floor. Embiid gives plenty of people problems and it’s been no different for Capela.
But in the previous series, Capela averaged 12.3 points and 14.0 boards over the final three games. Through four games against Philly, he’s down to 10.2 points and 11.7 boards per. Clearly, having to deal with Embiid is taking a toll.
Not only has the 76ers big man held Capela to 54.5 percent shooting (he’s shooting over 76 percent against all other defenders), he’s also played him clean.
Capela has only drawn one foul on Embiid.
This series has been heavily whistled. The 76ers and Hawks are first and second, respectively, in free throw attempts in the Conference Semifinals. Those “easy” points (Capela is a career 53 percent free throw shooter) are invaluable. Especially when Trae Young struggles or when they don’t get much from Bogdan Bogdanovich or Danilo Gallinari.
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John Collins could also stand to be better as a help defender, but if he’s scoring like he did in the second half of Game 4, the Hawks will take it. And if Embiid’s out or hobbled, that allows Capela to set the tone.
Perhaps for another Hawks win.