The Hawks had to wait a long time for their first glimpse of new center Clint Capela, but he seems ready to provide what they’re expecting, writes Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Capela was acquired all the way back at the trade deadline in February, but he wasn’t able to play because of a heel injury that lingered into the summer. In Friday’s preseason opener, he showed he can still be a force on the boards, grabbing 14 rebounds in 20 minutes.
“That’s one of those things that you know is an area of concern. … And that’s going to be big for us,” said coach Lloyd Pierce, whose team ranked near the bottom of the league in rebounding last season. “That’s going to be really big for us because we can teach him some of our thoughts on what we like to do when we get offensive rebounds, to create extra possessions and extra opportunities, it’s going to be huge.”
Capela is a welcome sight for teammate John Collins, who can spend more time at his natural position of power forward after being used in the middle frequently last year. Collins likes playing beside a shot blocker who can anchor the defense.
“As soon as he steps on the court, he adds a defensive presence,” Collins said. “His rebounding, his experience. Clint’s not a quiet guy on the court, he’s trying to direct traffic and lead and let guys know where they are, so I feel like that’s very valuable in the long term.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Rajon Rondo‘s decision to join the rebuilding Hawks makes him the oldest player on his team for the first time in his career, notes Kevin L. Chouinard of NBA.com. Two months removed from helping the Lakers win an NBA title, Rondo steps into a new role of being a veteran leader on a young squad. “Trae Young, John (Collins), Kevin Huerter, the young guys have an extreme amount of upside,” he said. “To me, honestly, I didn’t think the East was very tough this year as far as the talent. I think it was kind of up for grabs as far as which team would prevail to the top. As you’ve seen, anything can happen in the playoffs.”
- Bradley Beal isn’t concerned about how new backcourt partner Russell Westbrook meshed with his previous star teammates, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. He said their relationship has been “smooth sailing” since the trade that brought Westbrook to the Wizards last week. “I’m easy to adapt to,” Beal said. “I’m not going to come in and say I need this shot, I need the ball here or there. Doesn’t matter. As long as we are all incorporated within offense and everybody’s eating, we’re good.”
- Magic forward Aaron Gordon is starting the preseason on a minutes limit as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered during the restart, writes Roy Parry of The Orlando Sentinel. Gordon played 16 minutes in Friday’s opener, all in the first half.
What if Atlanta made a move for Harden? They have young expendable pieces…
It’s impossible to trade for Harden with “expendable pieces”.
Ha!
Bro Harden just made himself an “expendable piece” – so guess what you’ll be getting back..
Ha!
Maybe you need to look up the definition of “expendable”. Hint: it’s not MVP sweetie. Houston will be getting back equal or more to what he’s worth or the deal isn’t getting done. Read a book, take a class…
Like a debating class?
Not being willing to work makes one expendable. We don’t yet know how reluctant to play he is, but he says he definitely is. Be careful playing the smart card— The first definition given by bing, which prioritized a thing’s value, was not supported by other services. Expendable doesn’t mean disposable (though even toilet paper is quite important!). A thing expended can be valuable. The Hawks have excess talent that needs consolidation.
I would guess Harden will be gone sometime, and that he won’t be traded for equal value, if only because that is difficult logistically.
? I think your dictionary is broken. Harden cannot just be disregarded or thrown away like some much toilet tissue.
And he has no leverage. Houston has no reason to move him before they’re ready. He is under a contract.
I said, expendable does NOT mean disposable like toilet paper, and it was not the wrong word. I used standard English but was apparently not read so go dunk 45. (That was nonstandard.)
Harden has made himself expendable, even if he does show up on court, which hasn’t happened yet. He would WANT to be expendable if that gets trade talks going. Humans can be expendable, valuable to someone else or not.
That’s my point, duh. He has no leverage and no one is giving Houston anything close to what he is worth, ergo the deal isn’t getting done. I already quit school years ago after getting my bachelor’s degree, so I’m not taking anymore classes.
Fix: Hawks’ coach’s name is Lloyd Pierce, not Price.
So the Price is wrong
Remember that time Houston traded a 26 year old center in his prime who is on affordable contract for Robert Covington, who didn’t even last the calendar year (after acquiring him), and then they got absolutely BODIED in the Semifinals against the Lakers? Daryl Morley is going to be the gift that keeps on giving for this franchise for quite sometime.
They got outplayed by the top 2 players in the league? Damn, idiots. If only Clint Capela was on the team, then the title was guaranteed. You should check job openings with ESPN I think you’re on sometbing
^^this guy smh
Nobody guaranteed a title. I like how you jump to conclusions like a certain guy on foxsports1. You don’t think having a rim protector like Capella would have made it more difficult for the Lakers to score at ease I. The paint? What the hell did Covington do in that series? I think this is a burner account for the Harden mvp dude. Nobody can be this stupid and act like he’s apart of the NBA community.
Bro if Jokic wasnt doing it Capela sure wasnt. I’m the stupid one? Lol read your comments out loud…
The Rockets are way better off with Christian Wood than with Capela.
Moving Capela was a dumb move. What part of that do t you understand. Morey has done some dumb things in Houston. He lucked out on Harden. And has built his career off that trade. It’s why he bends over for Harden. Sixers don’t need him neither do the Heat. It’s wise to hold out for best deal. Truth is Harden does not mix well with most players. Unless he is willing to change. If I’m a GM, I don’t take that chance.
What part dont u understand? Moving capela allowed them to play small which is what got them to the playoffs. They were struggling before that. Ppl have short memories but rockets were playing great going into the bubble. Sorry if u have some personal grudge…not my problem sweetie
But they’re much better now with Wood than they were with Capela.
I don’t know why Houston fans don’t want to trade Harden. The window is closed it’s time to cash and get a ton of picks while you can.