[Shams] Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets

[Harry Palmer]

I’ve not necessarily agreed with every move Stone has made…pretty close, though…but I have always been able to see the reasoning. This is the first one I don’t understand. Unless the plan is to 2 big basically all the time, or have that option I guess. Or something else is cooking, which tbh has me nervous. I don’t want to go all in and trade youth for win now types, I hope they stay patient. Devil’s advocate, the 2 big lineup was something like the best +/- run since +/- has been a thing, so although it seems counterintuitive, it’a not necessarily wrong to think of that as your staple.

I totally feel you on this and as most of his old crew is in Boston I can’t help but wonder. Ime is one of those coaches that has his guys.

Yeah, couple of ifs, IF I read them right and IF this is a sign of a win-now, this feels like it’s Ime flexing and I’m not great with it because I have enjoyed how mutual things had been between them up until now, both guys staying in their lane while being supportive of the other. Hope it’s not the first crack. But I agree, my nervousness was centred around Beantown. Or like the Giannis shoe finally falls. I can already hear all the ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ type rationale.

The other aspect is the one of the better secondary arguments for the KD move was the fact that they just had too many young pieces and this opened up ~ 35 mpg for Reed, Tari and arguably Cam, though maybe that last relationship is unworkable according to some whispers. This feels like it’s getting pretty crowded again. And so many insiders say that they are in love with Reed, it was just a combination of not enough injuries, minutes and his not up to speed with Ime’s D, but that they feel if anything more sure of his huge offensive future than they were before getting him in house, and that that made Jalen somewhat more redundant. And while this move doesn’t directly threaten that, going 2 bigs with regularity probably does. Dunno. Maybe it’s nothing.

[morosis]

It's only redundant if you think Adams is playing 82 regular season games (I personally don't see him doing that). If this is a S&T for Landale's contract, then Capela is just the third string like Jock was (for 1 million less).

i get where youre coming from, and yeah i also don't expect Adams to play 82 or anything close. If they move Landale it does make more sense.

that said, even if they move Landale, you have three centers. while i can see the wisdom of having a backup backup to cover minutes Adams doesn't play, the question still remains whether that is a higher priority than some of the other things that money could have gone to. more specifically, another proven offensive orchestrator beyond FVV, or someone who is a natural shooting guard. either of those would have made more sense to me than going out to get a third rotational center.

i guess it also depends on whether what Harry said is true. If the "double big" lineups are going to be a staple of the rotation during both the regular season and playoffs, this makes more sense. last year those lineups were pretty rare during the RS and I got the impression they were deployed more against GSW in the playoffs to dictate matchups and exploit the dubs lack of size. so if its a core philosophy to run big lineups next year, okay, i can see it. it wasn't like that last year though.

[davidv2001]

It's only redundant if you think Adams is playing 82 regular season games (I personally don't see him doing that). If this is a S&T for Landale's contract, then Capela is just the third string like Jock was (for 1 million less).

i get where youre coming from, and yeah i also don't expect Adams to play 82 or anything close. If they move Landale it does make more sense.

that said, even if they move Landale, you have three centers. while i can see the wisdom of having a backup backup to cover minutes Adams doesn't play, the question still remains whether that is a higher priority than some of the other things that money could have gone to. more specifically, another proven offensive orchestrator beyond FVV, or someone who is a natural shooting guard. either of those would have made more sense to me than going out to get a third rotational center.

i guess it also depends on whether what Harry said is true. If the "double big" lineups are going to be a staple of the rotation during both the regular season and playoffs, this makes more sense. last year those lineups were pretty rare during the RS and I got the impression they were deployed more against GSW in the playoffs to dictate matchups and exploit the dubs lack of size. so if its a core philosophy to run big lineups next year, okay, i can see it. it wasn't like that last year though.

For better or for worse, the Rockets chose Dorian Finney-Smith over paying a bench shooting guard with their MLE. Capela makes essentially the same money Landale did, so my guess is he is Jock’s replacement. Considering Adams missed all of 2023-2024 with a knee issue, having a quality third center behind him makes sense.

[165bows]

I’ve not necessarily agreed with every move Stone has made…pretty close, though…but I have always been able to see the reasoning. This is the first one I don’t understand. Unless the plan is to 2 big basically all the time, or have that option I guess. Or something else is cooking, which tbh has me nervous. I don’t want to go all in and trade youth for win now types, I hope they stay patient. Devil’s advocate, the 2 big lineup was something like the best +/- run since +/- has been a thing, so although it seems counterintuitive, it’a not necessarily wrong to think of that as your staple.

I totally feel you on this and as most of his old crew is in Boston I can’t help but wonder. Ime is one of those coaches that has his guys.

Yeah, couple of ifs, IF I read them right and IF this is a sign of a win-now, this feels like it’s Ime flexing and I’m not great with it because I have enjoyed how mutual things had been between them up until now, both guys staying in their lane while being supportive of the other. Hope it’s not the first crack. But I agree, my nervousness was centred around Beantown. Or like the Giannis shoe finally falls. I can already hear all the ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ type rationale.

The other aspect is the one of the better secondary arguments for the KD move was the fact that they just had too many young pieces and this opened up ~ 35 mpg for Reed, Tari and arguably Cam, though maybe that last relationship is unworkable according to some whispers. This feels like it’s getting pretty crowded again. And so many insiders say that they are in love with Reed, it was just a combination of not enough injuries, minutes and his not up to speed with Ime’s D, but that they feel if anything more sure of his huge offensive future than they were before getting him in house, and that that made Jalen somewhat more redundant. And while this move doesn’t directly threaten that, going 2 bigs with regularity probably does. Dunno. Maybe it’s nothing.

The two big concept definitely does have legs there - the 2022 Finals team he coached played Tatum at the three and had Horford and Robert Williams at the 4 and the 5.

But coaches love vets and guys they know and so does Ime lol so it will be interesting to follow.

Good looking team though.

[ConSarnit]

I’ve not necessarily agreed with every move Stone has made…pretty close, though…but I have always been able to see the reasoning. This is the first one I don’t understand. Unless the plan is to 2 big basically all the time, or have that option I guess. Or something else is cooking, which tbh has me nervous. I don’t want to go all in and trade youth for win now types, I hope they stay patient. Devil’s advocate, the 2 big lineup was something like the best +/- run since +/- has been a thing, so although it seems counterintuitive, it’a not necessarily wrong to think of that as your staple.

agree with pretty much everything you said. although at some point, you have to wonder who is actually going to be shooting the ball for the bigs to do their thing creating extra possessions. neither DFS nor capela is a volume shooter. we already know they have KD and sengun to get shots up, and FVV in spurts i guess. but unless someone already on the roster has unlocked a new level on offense, i think this current roster is going to be offensively limited just like last year.

i can't shake the feeling that there's got to be more to it. because capela is somewhat redundant, and comes at the cost of spending that $ on something that probably raises the ceiling more.

It's only redundant if you think Adams is playing 82 regular season games (I personally don't see him doing that). If this is a S&T for Landale's contract, then Capela is just the third string like Jock was (for 1 million less).

It seems redundant to me:

Sengun/Adams/Capela
KD/Smith Jr/Eason

Smith Jr is a solid small ball C and the Rockets can still have decent size playing KD + DFS or Eason at the 3. Even with Adams injury risk I don’t know why they need to spend $7m on an a 3rd string C when they can play Smith Jr there.

[FarBeyondDriven]

fraudulent Ime Udoka needs an overwhelming talent advantage to win

[165bows]

Otoh that’s a lot of big men and I could see capela being a platoon guy but while I’m not one of the Finney-smith fan boys he opted out to platoon with seven guys?

[The Servant]

Houston - okc Western finals confirmed.

Mavs (if) healthy are also stacked as hell.

What? Kyrie is out for a year and Flagg is a rookie. What do they have for a back court to set up these bigs? Where is the 3 point shooting?

[Wingy]

Sengun, Adams, Lockdale(waived soon?) and now Capela?

Yeah, i don't get the fit but reunion for Capela.

Adams misses 25 games per season on average the past 5 years. This is insurance at that position.

Yup. Plus another body to throw at a certain Serbian should they meet in the playoffs. 6 more fouls!

[Optms]

Houston - okc Western finals confirmed.

Mavs (if) healthy are also stacked as hell.

They aren't going anywhere with rookie. I dont care how good that rookie is.

[Optms]

How many centers do they need?

Fear is a great motivator.

Another team trying to pull off the BS Jokic stopper myth with 3 centers. This move is all about rotational pieces to defend Jokic and nothing else.

No one is making moves to stop Jokic. @ Fear.

These moves are to counter OKC's front court but keep living in 2023.

[durden_tyler]

Great fit and great signing. Moreover, stole him from other West rivals that might have wanted him (Lakers, for example, now they'll have to settle with Ayton)

[HardenGoat]

Udoka loves rebounds and defense. Houston has gotten bigger and will match up better with Denver with their moves. He also likes the double big lineup which was really effective last year. Biggest question I have is Sheppard. Can he become a starting caliber guard and get his 3 pointers falling. Will he get the playing time to develop this? Also Amen needs a more consistent mid range game but he’s getting there.

[Bologna Smasher]

The Rockets roster looks ridiculous on paper. All they need is a proven backup point guard and a shooting guard and there are still plenty of good options out there.

Even though I like Durant more than most people do, there is no excuse (other than injuries) if they don't go on a deep run this year

[NCHeels2008]

I’ve not necessarily agreed with every move Stone has made…pretty close, though…but I have always been able to see the reasoning. This is the first one I don’t understand. Unless the plan is to 2 big basically all the time, or have that option I guess. Or something else is cooking, which tbh has me nervous. I don’t want to go all in and trade youth for win now types, I hope they stay patient. Devil’s advocate, the 2 big lineup was something like the best +/- run since +/- has been a thing, so although it seems counterintuitive, it’a not necessarily wrong to think of that as your staple.

I totally feel you on this and as most of his old crew is in Boston I can’t help but wonder. Ime is one of those coaches that has his guys.

Yeah, couple of ifs, IF I read them right and IF this is a sign of a win-now, this feels like it’s Ime flexing and I’m not great with it because I have enjoyed how mutual things had been between them up until now, both guys staying in their lane while being supportive of the other. Hope it’s not the first crack. But I agree, my nervousness was centred around Beantown. Or like the Giannis shoe finally falls. I can already hear all the ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ type rationale.

The other aspect is the one of the better secondary arguments for the KD move was the fact that they just had too many young pieces and this opened up ~ 35 mpg for Reed, Tari and arguably Cam, though maybe that last relationship is unworkable according to some whispers. This feels like it’s getting pretty crowded again. And so many insiders say that they are in love with Reed, it was just a combination of not enough injuries, minutes and his not up to speed with Ime’s D, but that they feel if anything more sure of his huge offensive future than they were before getting him in house, and that that made Jalen somewhat more redundant. And while this move doesn’t directly threaten that, going 2 bigs with regularity probably does. Dunno. Maybe it’s nothing.

Yea the DFS signing kinda had me like good for y'all but it seems inevitable you'll have to part with some of your young talent stuffed on the bench unless you have early injuries or are super aggressive about load managing KD and one other key starter (not FVV bc you're light on guards)

[reamily]

Sengun is next to be traded, think giannis.
In all seriousness, houston will swing if any those star guards will be available to pair up with kd..thats why surplus of bigs are needed and 2 man big game of houston was so crucial on their success and a lob threat in capela will help them win games

[gmoney411]

Fear is a great motivator.

Another team trying to pull off the BS Jokic stopper myth with 3 centers. This move is all about rotational pieces to defend Jokic and nothing else.

i would argue that HOU is one of a handful of teams that already had enough to do as good a job as can be expected on jokic. i dont get why they needed capela honestly.

Propaganda. That's why. People are still convinced of that myth since the Lakers series in 2020 with McGee, AD, and Howard.

There's absolutely no reason the Rockets to sign Capela after giving Steven Adams an extension and already having Sengun in there.

Are they forgetting that the Thunder are the champions and basically wiped out the TWolves with a small ball lineup?

The Rockets struggled when Adams missed time and he's not capable of playing 82 games anymore. The Rockets are replacing Landale with Clint so they have a solid backup center ever night.