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Can the Atlanta Hawks win it all with Clint Capela starting at center?

ByJoshua Buckhalter|
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 27: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 27: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday. While we can all appreciate how far they’ve come and the turnaround it took to get here, there are still some questions about the construction of this roster. It’s actually quite understandable considering they are at least a year ahead of schedule.

The biggest question has come up the most often in these playoffs but has been asked for quite some time. Can Clint Capela be the starting center on a team that has a legitimate shot to win a title? With the Hawks reaching this point, the answer might seem clear.

As we know, though, it’s never that simple.

Atlant Hawks center Clint Capela has been an important piece this season but might ultimately hold them back in their pursuit of a championship

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In Game 3, with the Hawks up by two after thirty-six minutes of play, Capela was nowhere to be found in the fourth quarter.

Every other starter, including Trae Young who suffered a bone bruise late in the third, saw at least seven minutes in the final frame. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who’s been dealing with knee soreness since the last series, played the entire period.

Capela led the league in rebounds this season and is a solid post defender against most matchups. But we’ve seen him be overmatched against the top guys when they are healthy.

Joel Embiid had his way but ran out of gas.

It seemed like this could be his series, especially after Game 1, the Bucks moved Giannis Antetokounmpo to center in Game 2 and he went to work on the Swiss big man too.

Now, if Capela can’t even begin the final quarter of a tight game, that is a major problem.

Another reason Head Coach Nate McMillan might be pulling his rim-running center is that he struggles at the free-throw line. After hitting 57.3 percent of his free throws in the regular season, Capela is shooting just 38.7 percent at the charity stripe in the postseason.

The Hawks traded for Capela after the Rockets went with their extreme small-ball look. Houston might have been on to something, even if they took it too far.

There are two years and over $35 million left on Capela’s contract. And even though he’s still rebounded well, he’s 17th in playoff scoring among centers. That’s a lot of money for a player with such a clearly defined ceiling (and a rookie in Onyeka Okongwu flashing this postseason). A ceiling that could ultimately cap how far the Hawks can go with him as the primary five-man.

Capela has been a vocal and integral part of the turnaround in Atlanta. But a serious discussion should already be underway in the front office about whether or not he allows the Hawks to reach their full potential.

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