Goals for Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela No. 1) Make the All-Defensive team
Capela is a much-underrated defender in this league. He has never really been in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. Nor has he received a nod for an All-Defensive team ever in his career and this is something that really needs to change.
He has always been a good rim protector, but he is also a true defensive anchor as well. The Hawks’ defense went from being one of the worst in the league prior to his arrival to being able to make the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season playing with the team.
Last season the Hawks lacked chemistry on the defensive end and too much was left to Capela. This is not fair for one player and naturally, he struggled to contain the opposition. When the Hawks’ defense is clicking, there are very few teams that can beat them, te one exception is a healthy Philadelphia 76ers who have Joel Embiid, one of the hardest assignments in the NBA.
Still, with the additional troops that the Hawks have gathered over the offseason, Capela will again anchor an elite defense. If he can do this then he deserves to garner an All-Defensive nod and that will mean that the Hawks will have a better chance at a deep playoff run.