2023-10-17 10:21:33
At the dawn of his 9th full season in the NBA, Clint Capela is still enjoying his happiness of being part of the best league in the world. At 29 years old, the Atlanta Hawks center still wants more.
The Genevan, always humble and available, talks in particular regarding his health, the difficulty of remaining competitive and the defense of Atlanta with new coach Quin Snyder.
– As you enter your 9th full season in the NBA, how are you feeling physically?
CLINT CAPELA: I worked on my Achilles tendon to have more flexibility and it’s better now. I feel very good.
– So you’re ready to play all 82 regular season games (ed: he’s played 63, 74 and 65 games with Atlanta so far)?
CLINT CAPELA: (laughs). That would be the icing on the cake. I don’t know if they give a special crown for the player who achieves this.
The average career of an NBA player is 4 years
Clint Capela
– You are a veteran. Maybe the coaches will take it easy on you…
CLINT CAPELA: I don’t rest, I play. If I’m not injured, I want to be on the field every game, even during back to back.
– On November 7, you will celebrate the 10th anniversary of your first NBA game. Not bad for longevity, right?
CLINT CAPELA: This goes way beyond my expectations. I didn’t think I would spend more than 4-5 years in the NBA. I didn’t think I might adapt so quickly. Every day I wake up and realize the work accomplished. The average career of an NBA player is 4 years. There are so few people who succeed and what’s more, with new players joining the league every year, the challenge is renewed all the time. Someone said to me, “You’re 50 times more likely to get into Harvard than you are to play in the NBA.” When we realize that, we appreciate it more and more.
Being strong is not the question. In the NBA, everyone is strong
Clint Capela
– What are you most proud of?
CLINT CAPELA: I’ve been shooting double-doubles for 6 seasons now (ed: more than 10 units in 2 categories, here points and rebounds). This proves my consistency. Often people take it for granted, but every evening the team waits for me. Being strong is not the question. In the NBA, everyone is strong. But are you capable of being strong over time, of adapting?
– If you had to give advice to a young person, what would it be?
CLINT CAPELA: To follow your own trajectory. I can’t tell others to do like me, it’s not a magic formula. On the other hand, you should never be bored. I’m exhausted, but I know how far I’ve come and I’m still having so much fun.
– Your playing time has decreased every year since 2018/19, when you were at over 33 minutes of play per match. Today you play 7 minutes less. Does this worry you?
CLINT CAPELA: No way. The important thing is to perform well.
We took a big step forward in Atlanta
Clint Capela
– Basketball has evolved and more and more interior players have become distance shooters. Are you working on your distance shooting?
CLINT CAPELA: I have always focused on my strengths. I train during the summer of course, but if I’m in the NBA and I want to stay there, it’s not by starting shooting 3-pointers.
– There are 2 years left on your contract (ed: which will bring him $46 million). Are you already thinking regarding your next lease or a possible exchange?
CLINT CAPELA: No. It was the same thing when I was in Houston. These are things I can’t control. Atlanta had decided to extend me in 2021. Afterwards, you never know, but we will see.
– Last season Atlanta was eliminated 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. How do you judge the team and your coach Quin Snyder?
CLINT CAPELA: Ah Snyder, he’s strong! I’m really excited regarding this season. In preseason, I see that everyone is making the necessary efforts in defense. I am often seen as the pillar of the defense, but we have to defend with 5. And I have the feeling that the staff has dotted the i’s and that we have taken a big step forward. I really see progress.
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