Clint Capela Deserves More Credit for Atlanta’s Unexpected Success This Season

The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season. They are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and are one game behind fourth to potentially host a first-round playoff series when most experts didn’t pick them as a playoff team. is coming off a 20-point, 11-rebound performance in their win over Chicago on Saturday night, and he is no stranger to sensational stat lines like this.

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More GP (12) with 15+ PTS & 15+ REB in the NBA this season than any other player
Longest streak of GP (9) with 5+ FGM & 60+ FG% in Hawks history
Recorded a double-double in 43/57 games this season
Racked up 20 PTS & 11 REB with only 1 missed FGA (8-9 FG) vs. Chicago

: ATL -205 (Spread -5.0)

CLINT CAPELA DESERVES MORE CREDIT FOR ATLANTA’S UNEXPECTED SUCCESS THIS SEASON

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When thinking about the success of Atlanta, it’s easy to point to as the main reason why, but Capela is flying under the radar and deserves more credit. ATL’s big man has been averaging a double-double this season, having one in 43 out of 57 games this year. Additionally, it is the best rebounding season of his career. Not only is he the best board-getter for the Hawks, but he averages the most per game in the entire NBA during 2020-21. His presence is felt on the defensive end too, averaging 2.1 blocks a night.

The 6’10’’ Center’s impressive season has had a huge impact on Atlanta this year and isn’t talked about much due to the impressive shooting around him. Young is averaging 25.5 points per game while and are both shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. It’s a shooters league now, and this has diverted attention away from Capela’s amazing season. However, there is no chance the Hawks would be anywhere close to getting a top-four seed if it wasn’t for their young Center’s contributions.