Two months ago,Deandre Aytonwas frustrated he wasn’t getting the respect he felt he deserved.
After talking to the media following a 21-point, 13-rebound performance against the Magic on Feb. 24, he made an offhanded comment as he walked toward the shower. “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” he said. “I’m not no Clint Capela.”
Funny enough, Ayton is now facing Capela in the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Rockets,which the Lakers lead 1-0after a 107-98 win in Game 1 on Saturday.
As for Capela’s thoughts on the jab?
“I was surprised,” Capela told The California Post. “I don’t know why I’m in someone else’s head. I don’t talk to the guy.”
Capela heard about Ayton’s comment after it went viral in anESPN story. He responded over Instagram by pointing out that the Lakers center plays alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, writing, “U got 2 of the best floor general in the game dawg Lockinnn.”
The 31-year-old Capela, who was the 25th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by Houston, has made a career out of being a successful role player. He has transitioned into being a backup vet after signing a three-year, $21.5 million contract with the Rockets in June 2025.
He’s a gifted rebounder, shot blocker and rim protector. During his prime, he was an important piece on a Rockets team that made it to two Western Conference finals in 2015 and 2018. He averaged a double-double over seven seasons, including a league-leading 14.3 rebounds and 15.2 points per game in 2020-21.
“Yeah, I mean for me, in my career, I did what I did for my team, had a lot of success,” Capela told The Post. “So, it worked out for me.”
Capela is great at what he does. He never tried to be a superstar. He has made a 12-season career out of being a blue-collar worker who’s a reliable rim-running big man.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
