The Ringer NBA Show - From Switzerland to Life in the NBA With Clint Capela | The Answer

Episode Date: January 11, 2023

Kyle and Seerat are joined by Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. They start their conversation by detailing his beginnings as a young athlete in Switzerland and his first impressions upon arrival to the NBA. Clint then talks about drawing inspiration from French players like Tony Parker, transitioning from soccer to basketball, and the hardest player to defend in the league (7:02). Next, they shine a spotlight on the Rockets' Game 7 meltdown versus the Warriors in the 2018 Western Conference finals and his chemistry with James Harden while he was in Houston (31:30). Finally, they discuss the state of the Hawks, speculate on Clint's future in the league, and dive into his relationship with Trae Young (53:36). Hosts: J. Kyle Mann and Seerat Sohi Guest: Clint Capela Production Supervision: Benjamin Cruz and Conor Nevins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's up everybody? It's Austin Rivers from the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's a new year and I have a new podcast here at the Ringer, Offguard, hosted by me and my guide Pasha Higigee. Austin and I go way back and talk so much hoop already that we figure those time to fire up the mics and let you in on all of these conversations. Every week, Pasha and I will hit on the biggest stories happening in the league.

And get Austin's perspective of someone currently hooping in the NBA. Tap into Offguard every Friday on the Ringer NBA show feed on Spotify or wherever you get your podcast. Good. Welcome to the answer. This is a show where we ponder and we walk around in the yard and we smoke a pipe and stroke our mustaches, our proverbial mustaches and talk about basketball and all the details of it. I'm joined by Siritt Sohee, the poet laureate of Edmonton, the sharpest mind in all of Hoops coverage. What's up, Seirot? You know, I was thinking today how Edmonton actually does have a

poet laureate. Do they really? Yeah, they do. And I just wonder if I'm ever going to get in trouble for this designation one day. Oh, you think? could there could be pending litigation against me hyping you up. Your Honor, throw this case out. The hyping up is preposterous. Is that kind of, you think that there's legal grounds for this? Maybe. I mean, like, you know how like, I don't think you're allowed to advertise things that aren't

true anymore, right? Although I do, I guess there are a lot of people who do get away with it and probably do worse than what we're doing here. But I don't know. Are we protected? I don't know. Well, unless you're, you're talking about advertising, you're not like for hire as like a poet. I don't think that I'm aware of.

Are you out there trying to get in the streets and get some poetry work? You don't know everything about me. It's very true. I learn that all the time. Well, today we have like an interesting special, I would call this a special edition of the show. Would you, I think it garners that tag. I would say so. I would say so I'm excited about this episode.

We have, we have Clint Capella on. The Hawks were just in L.A. for a swing against the Lakers and the clippers. They predictably split because that's kind of what they've been doing with every game this season. They're 1921. Ninth in the east, despite making a pretty splashy trade for Deonté Murray.

And now they're in this weird period where a lot of teams find themselves as a trade deadline approach is trying to figure out exactly what they are. So we talked to Clint a little bit about that, but we talked to him about a ton of fun stuff. We talk about his time in Houston. We talk about that ridiculous game seven, where the Rockets miss pretty much every three that you could miss and a ton of other stuff. He's a really interesting guy.

Yes, he is. Really fascinating developmental path. I enjoyed talking to him. So here's our conversation with Clint Capella. We were pulling people on who's more famous between Chris Brown and Shaq, like worldwide. Oh, it's got to be Shaq, right? that's what I say. Chris, what do you think?

Shack is more famous than Chris Brown. No, it's not. There's like little kids and old women that know who Shack is. You guys are, you guys, I don't, I think that I have a difference perspective where I know and I've lived in like in different parts of the world.

So I have different opinion. But I can't understand that you guys be living here on this side of the country. Like I see Shack on TV way more than I see Shaq when I'm back home in Switzerland watching TV or when I'm in Africa watching TV or like it's just like it's hard I don't know how to explain because when I ask like my friend

overseas or or back home or yeah whatever like it's all Chris Brown and it's pretty obvious to them first of all because it's music music it's it's it reaches more people you know like basketball like I know like if I get it in a random Uber back home, they don't know LeBron James is. For you guys, it's going to be wow, how. But that's how the world is. Like some people just are aware like one time, like I think a couple days ago,

I saw Vazovito where Kanye is in Paris and this lady, this French lady, ask, uh, paparazzi, who is this man? Like, they don't know, you know what I'm saying? Like so for some people like, we obviously us because we see basketball, watch like the same kind of shows or everything and we see

Shaq appear on all of them we automatically assume that so I can understand that perspective but for me I think that

worldwide Chris Brown is more is more famous but yeah that's my perspective here I was going to say some some basketball players

like it's mostly soccer players right that are like worldwide famous to that level like to the level of musician would you say is there like

Who has come close, though? Because I know, like, Kobe. Oh, I think there's a basketball player that's come close in your experience to, like, worldwide fame in the same way that, like, the Chris Brown thing, like, guys worldwide that have that level of fame? To me, that's the Michael Jordan, that's for sure. Yeah, yeah. Beyond him?

I want to say LeBron. I think LeBron is there. But I've met some people I had no idea who was. So it's just funny to me. I just think that music is so easy to get any type of crowd, you know. So it's kind of hard. Yeah, I think, like you said, soccer player have way more. It's more reachable for them than basketball players who only plays in the United States.

I always assume that because Shaq is like, you know, he's a seven-footer. He's huge. He's boisterous. He's been in a bunch of movies. He has his larger than life personality that he would have somehow transcended that. But also, like, what this conversation is making me realize is that just being North American,

we really think that, like, Hollywood and the sports that we watch and everything is, like, the entire world, you know? Yeah. That's what from the people that I ask, that's what I feel like, too. Because, like, I know, like, different crowds of people. So when I ask them, it's so obvious to them and I sound crazy. But when I ask you guys, it sound the same.

Like, am I crazy to ask a question like that? So it's funny to witness that. We might underestimate how famous Chris Brown is as well. I definitely do. Chris Brown doesn't cross my path very much, to be honest with you. Even less today, yeah. So Syriot was telling me that you're talking about like saturation of like how famous athletes are worldwide. I'm curious about like thinking back to when you sort of became interested in basketball.

Were there like culturally when you were growing up? I know your story is really unique in how you reached sort of the professional basketball world. Was there a player that like reached where you were as a sports fan? Was there somebody that you thought, man, like, was there anyone that inspired you or were you kind of when you, how long did it take you? to come around to basketball and was there somebody? Yeah, so like the, usually, if you meet like any European fan or passion by basketball, these people, they had to make an effort. Like, you have to wake up at 3 and at 9.

You have to, you know, even though you have work tomorrow, you have to be really passionate. So that's also how I feel. Like, that's how I was. And because I see it today, when I meet like European, working out people that lives in Europe, I can see that the way, like, they're even more fan than the regular NBA fan because they have to sacrifice, meaning that you have to wake up,

you have to watch games during the night and enjoy even more because it's rare. You don't, you don't, we can't. I've never seen an NBA game before, before I got, like, basically drafted. Or I never interact with an NBA player in any kind of way. before I got here. So it's just something that I felt really, my world in school, I felt like in another world because my goal was just totally different

from everybody else because no one in Switzerland and why I'm from when I went to school like was even thinking, nobody think about basketball first. We think sports, you think soccer. Basketball is just maybe like, until high school and then you stop. So it's, it was, It was really hard to stay connected, obviously, with that world.

So what drew you to it then? I waking up at night. So, first, like, it was whenever I stopped playing basketball back home, and I was upgraded to this team. They were really trying to go for the Swiss championship under 16 or something. And I was with them. They needed a big guy, so I was, I was with them. And then they were all like basketball friends.

And that's really when I discovered all of that. Like, I was about like 13, 14. And this, I was about more 13, that those guys, they were all like NBA fans. So they told me, yeah, so, oh, my God, you never heard about the NBA draft. I was like, what is this? Go look. Like, you're going to see, like, those guys are in school. They're going to go to the NBA the next year.

Right now in the NBA, the best player is Dwight Howard. It was around 08 or something like that. So they were explaining about all that. And I saw those guys always coming before practice. They were like jump rope, like, planks. I'm like, what the heck is this? And they have the mentality that I'm going to have after working with them. But at first I was like, what is this world like?

And yeah, so it's basically after like being with those guys that I really understood that other world of the NBA or that it existed another world like that. Well, Syriott and I were talking. we're like, you're probably already, I would say, fairly securely the best Swiss basketball player ever, I would say, right? I mean, have you had anybody say that to you in terms of the guys that have made it to the NBA? Yeah, because it's not about, I feel he's going to be even better. He's going to get better. But yeah, fairly, yes. That is a funny question to ask somebody. Aren't you the best ever? When you were 13, 14 years old, how tall were you? I mean,

when you got pinpointed like they were recruiting you, was it like, look how tall that guy is? That was legit like 6-2. 6-2, okay. So you had a big spurt then, I assume. Yeah, yeah, but I was just consistently growing. So two years every year, yeah. When did you first dunk? I was thinking in that kind of range, if you were, I mean, that's tall.

That year, it was at the end of the year, that's called the year. So, yeah, I was about 14. It was my first, it was my first year of basketball. Everything happened really, really fast that year. because that same year I did the trial for the dust on the 16 Swiss national team and I ended up going with them being a year younger so it was and at the same time that year I went to that French Academy the year after so it really happened all in one year like the starting of basketball to go to the to the because with my team in Switzerland we went to

like the, the final four, and then after the final four, I just went to friends a year after. So everything just happened so fast in one year as I started playing basketball. So I couldn't even, it was just a lot to process, honestly, like, what, what is this?

All I knew, honestly, was soccer. My dream always been to be a soccer player. It's more like, obviously, less attractive than other sports for a Lyrican, but that's the only sport that really, get to watch in Europe and enjoy. So you pretty much go from, you know, you're basically solo basketball fan there to now you get this big world.

Like you have the opposite perspective of most of us here, which I think like kind of informs the type of guy you are and the way you approach the NBA as well. But then, like, you know, you get to Houston. What was it like at first? Oh, yeah. It was hard for me to take in for sport because I was in that comfortable speaking English, even less with, like, stars.

like James or Dwight. And I remember they were trying to recruit Mello. And it was, I remember one time they were just, I walked in the locker room and I see all three of them talking to each other during the summer. And I was like, what the heck, bro? Like, I can't believe, but I just couldn't believe after being drafted, it was like, yeah, 1920.

And then you walk in the locker room. And you see like three big, three of the biggest stars, to be at the time. I mean, I basically just came from France, so I'm like, wow, I can't believe this. It was just crazy to just go from one world to the other and be there for real, not from the TV 8,000 miles away or not.

They're here, it's real, it's happening. So it took me a while to digest that, be at practice with those guys, be able to speak up with those guys, to be able to get better as a team with those guys. So it took me like really kind of a year and a half to really get comfortable being around so much, like famous people or, yeah, famous basketball player

and instead of staying locked in in the game. I was going to ask you about your first stint in the league, and it's interesting to hear you talk about seeing those guys. I was curious if they're first, I was going to ask you, was there anybody beyond James and Dwight that, like, was in the league that when you got on the same court with them, you were like, oh, shit, there's that guy. Like, was there anybody that took you a minute to kind of like snap out of it because they were so. I remember I didn't play, I only played like 13 games because I was hurt a little bit. And I went to, like, play for the G league for a couple games.

So I remember playing with Spurs. That was my first game that I came in at the end of the game. And obviously, I saw the French guys, Tony Parker, Boris Dio. Like, even see those guys. I think, yeah, it was the year that they just won the championship the year or the year before. So, yeah, it was just crazy to talk to Tony Parker. Even see Tony Parker with that jersey number nine is just, it's iconic in France because it's basically like, it was the famous French player, especially winning so many titles with that number.

nine so just being around him and be able to talk to him and exchange number and connect it was and everything happened so fast you know uh just go from from france where i was in school uh trying to graduate at high school a lot of pressure uh like yeah like and from a couple months later just being a world the NBA where uh playing stars every night uh and yeah it was it was it was it was a lot. I saw you talking to Nicholas Baton at the end of the Clippers Hawks game. Is there kind of like a camaraderie

between like the French speaking NBA players regardless of where you might have grown up? I mean, definitely him. Because yeah, he talked. He's a player that I've talked a lot also before the NBA, we were in the same agency. So obviously they connect us. And yeah, you always,

you always gave me great advice when I was, before I got to the NBA, about when I'm going to get to the NBA, how I should be about approach, about like the first four years or the years that I should really put the work in. And I mean, that's definitely what I did, just be known as a player who work hard and hustle. So I really took pride in that.

And that always helped me a lot. So, yeah, he's a player that obviously you know when you're in France because he played for the national team to go to the Olympics, the World Cup. And also he went kind of the same route that I did by playing for the under 18 teams, high school teams in France to the pros and get drafted from the French League. So obviously he was one of the famous, he's the famous one of those guys who did it before me. So it's really something that you're always trying to go whenever you're a young guy in France

to be thinking about going to the NBA, you know that you're trying to do like Baton, like Tony Parker and all those guys. So Nikos Batum always, it's an OG to me. So Zach Lowe wrote this really cool piece about you that was talking about your adjustment period to the league. And something that I thought was interesting was he was talking about your first, I think it was like 15 shot attempts in the league,

that you had a drought to start basically, before you could get a field goal. And I went back and was watching some of those clips and just kind of seeing if there was like a common denominator and a lot of your offense comes at the rim. I was curious, what was your memory of this time? Do you remember those first, that first sort of drought of offense that you had? And I was curious about like, what was it about those shots that maybe,

was there something about the adjustment to the size at the rim? What do you remember about like trying to get your offense going in the NBA? I was stressed. I was stressed. Half of the time I was thinking, oh, my God, this score just looked like the same one on NBA 2K. I can't believe that I'm running on it right now.

So half of the time, that's what I was thinking between these shots. But obviously, yeah, I remember some of them, like Memphis. I think it was, just guys were taking charge in me as I was going at Durant.

Yeah, I was missing free throws. I was missing everything. It was, honestly, it was hard to digest being here. Like, like, it's how hard it was for me. I don't know. Some European players today, it's easier for them. But, no, for me, it was really hard, honestly, to get adjust, especially that first year.

So playing in the G-League obviously helped me a lot. but man it was a shit show up. I'm not going to die. I was like, man, am I belonging here? So, but it was, when I look back, it's just funny to me. It was also kind of a weird year, right? Yeah, a weird year to me. Because I remember I went to the Gilly, then I come back, still not playing well,

so they set me back. Because in the Gileadig, I was playing really pretty well. I was playing like 20, 20,000. three minutes and I was like 16 and 10 so I was playing well I felt good in the G league so I just couldn't translate that yet to the NBA game until until I played the Raptors and the Raptors almost drafted you right like you thought you were going to the Raptors right yeah I felt that I was it were coming to my game all the time in France I felt that yeah I was always hearing pretty good stuff that they liked me or whatever that it was

was a chance. So when it didn't happen, I was like, oh, wow, well, that's, that's, I was still learning, too, that, you know, we're never sure about anything when it's draft night. But, yeah. Do you have a little extra juice going into that game? No. Oh, no. All my thoughts was just getting used to playing NBA because it was my first basket against

them. It was, it just happened. It just happened everything that night. I finally got to have. on except baskets up the rim, played a really good game. And after that game, everything became easier. Yeah, it's weird. It was weird to watch some of those early clips of you, knowing what a finisher you are now

and, like, how efficient you are, around the basket, and aggressive and sure of yourself. It was interesting to see those clips. It checks out to what you're describing. It was like you can tell, it was like Clint's just kind of getting his legs under him. Because I don't remember those clips, but seeing them now is interesting. And I was kind of, I was curious you're talking about your transition and things like that. Siritt was bringing up how you haven't had an official like all defensive team in your career. And you're somebody that's known as as a great defender.

And I was kind of wondering, you know, you were talking about growing up as somebody that was following soccer. And do you think that there's any kind of an advantage that guys, first of all, where did you play on the field when you would play soccer? I was curious. And do you think that there's any kind of an advantage that big guys have on the defensive end as a result of playing soccer growing up? I think that from all the guys that I see playing basketball today, who played soccer before,

I'm definitely pretty good with their feet and footwork. But obviously, every case is different. For my case, I felt that defensively really helped me. I've always had like quick feet, meaning that I've always been comfortable guarding people smaller than me, like guards. So for my case, I feel really comfortable when I'm going guys smaller than me. And my rookie, I had a Western Conference final had a chance to guard Steph Curry a lot of times. and I was really good at staying in front of him,

even though he was calling me that step back after. But I remember being told that I was doing a good job. Who's the hardest guy you covered in the league? I would say, Yolkich. I think he has their mind that who, how can I explain that? I think because the fact that he has a, that European type of mindset, like who ways want to play good, but by doing different stuff. Not for him playing good, it's not just scoring points.

For him play good is be able to do a little bit of scoring, dominate on the boards, get his teammates involved. And that type of player is hard to stop. So some nights you're like, oh, I hold him to 16, 18, points, but the guys had like 15 rebounds and 15 assists. So it's like, oh, okay. I thought I thought I was kind of the control, but he's running the game right now. So that's that, that's that chest.

That's, that's tough to stop. Honestly, a smart player like that was able to do so many stuff from the court, you know, as smart as he is on the court, it's, it's probably always a big challenge to, to face a player like him. But especially that's when you know that you're going to need sometimes help. And other guys are going to have to be aware of backdoor cuts or waterpun shots that other guys might get, obviously. So it's a lot of work. Are some guys just more predictable than others? And it's like Yokic is harder to predict because of how balanced he is.

Is that what you mean? Because he see, I feel like he sees the game with a different perspective where, like you said, some players are predictable. because you know that all he's going to do that, which is scoring. That's what it's going to do. So a player like Yokic, which makes him unpredictable, is that it's going to find ways to be efficient by doing everything else. To your credit, Yokic went five for five last night, 14 points. And Nuggets won the game pretty easily.

I feel like he's had a couple of those games throughout his career, especially now that they're healthy. You had like 16 assists or something? Yeah, you had 16 assists, 11 rebounds. Yeah, that's tough. Bogdanovich has given you credit, and you know, you were talking about how early in your career that you were kind of finding your comfort level

and speaking up and, like, talking around. And I guess as you've matured and become more the veteran player, that it's your place, I guess, to speak up more. But I'm curious about, like, talking on the court, Do you think that there's, well, first I was just going to ask you, like, Yokic strikes me as somebody who's kind of quiet. Are there guys that, like, talk a lot, like in terms, are you a trash talker or are there guys that, that trash talk you who's, I was curious if anybody comes to mind, like, prominent talkers in the league that, that you've encountered over your career? Not really, honestly. I'm not really a trash talker.

Guys never really trash talk to me, honestly. I would talk if I, like, block a shot bad or something, but I wouldn't, I wouldn't, like, no, it wouldn't be like that, like the whole game back and forth and back and forth. So not really, honestly. And I feel that today I don't really see any player like that because I feel like they give technical pretty fast now when you speak up. So I feel like every player kind of adjusted that. You got a player on your team, though, and Tray Young loves to talk trash, though. has he ever said something on the court that's like really shocked you back and forth with a player

there are more looks like you would look at him but it wouldn't be like saying something I've never heard him or anybody like say something crazy really he generally likes to make fun but in a different kind of way maybe by by imitating something or by making a face but it would never

would be like trash talk, like something. I've never, like, those guys like before like KG and all them. Like, I don't, I don't see that anymore in the game like that. What did you get from Bogie? I didn't understand what he said, Bogdanovich. Oh, I tacked on something that was sort of tied to it. But Bogie was just saying that you're such a good talker on defense, that you, that you're allowed and you all, he was surprised at how constantly he heard you talking on defense.

He gave you credit for that. Oh, yeah, for sure. No, it's something that I've worked, I mean, I'm going to see it to. at my ninth year, but it was something that was also processed to me while I was in Houston. As I was getting my English right, I had to have it right over court. So it definitely helped me. And yeah, that's something that obviously I took pride of today on doing. How do you actually go from?

Like, it's one thing to, you know, improve your English over time, right, and learn how to speak the language. And it's one thing to understand, like, the technicalities and stuff and say them in the course of an NBA game. but how do you actually go from somebody who's like, you know, entering the NBA, it's like this total shock to you to pretty quickly, I think, becoming a guy that's also, you know, a more of a locker room communicator as well, like a guy who gets along with a lot of other guys and can actually like kind of bring them together. Because that's, those are, it just feels like a lot to pick up on at once,

like to figure out the language bit of it, but then actually to be able to use it to make, make an impact. I've always in a locker room. I'm pretty over, I like to do stuff with the guys when it's possible. and of the court. I've always enjoyed that time with my teammates and of the court. So that obviously always helps. And I feel that also I knew that it was going to help me in my English of time off the court with teammates.

So I've done a lot of that too. And at the same time, obviously, it helped me building a chemistry with the guys. And so that was, yeah, one bird, two stone, something like that. What was it like backing up, Dwight in your rookie year? I stopped backing him up really at the end after the Raptors game, which was like, because I played on me like, I didn't play a lot of games my first year. So it was at the end of that year and in the playoffs. I mean, it was a lot of fun, especially as a rookie, you know,

where we don't really expect anything from you like you just go out there and play and we're already a good team but once we win it was like the first round was I think Dallas that we went 4-1 I remember I was playing against

Samari and start a minor I think it was the backup too as well that series went pretty well I enjoy it especially when you play all those guys that you from before that you watch going up and now that's front of you. So you enjoy it even more, you know.

And that second round, the LA Clippers. I remember was that DeAndre, Big Baby, Spencer Hawes, but I play a little bit against DeAndre as well. I remember that I really, I really enjoyed it too, especially we had a game seven against them. Yeah, honestly, I enjoy every, every, we see a step of it. I think, yeah,

I was a conference final against the Warriors. I think we lost in six. And I was in five, actually. And honestly, I felt, I really enjoyed being behind why. Obviously, it's always been a guy who likes to joke and everything. But I think also that year, we, as the bigs, we always had goals for games every time they were set for us, which was making us really, really like,

pretty liking every single one of the matchup that we had. And I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it. And I also enjoyed plenty of. You had like individual statisticals. Not like as a big, okay, tonight, let's see that much blocks, that much deflection, that much. So it was, it was really fun, especially as me as it worked here. I was enjoying all of that.

You've been on both sides of some like pretty big playoff comeback. like moments where it's like you've been on both sides of the meltdown you know with that clipper series you guys the clippers basically melted down i mean there's no other way to put it and you guys came back and beat them and then on the other side of it you guys basically had golden state checkmated like and then had that stretch of that oh for 27 from three stretch i was curious about when you're in a game like that is there is there a sense of like these guys will break if we if we push them to a certain point? Or is there, what is it about teams and is there any kind of like similarities

between those teams that can like stay strong and not meltdown? Like what causes meltdowns like that? Is it the players themselves or what do you think? Yeah, sometimes it's just in the game. But the difference between those two series that, I mean, we had against the Clippers, we had a game seven at home that we won if I remember well. And I felt also that the, I think the Clippers that series in 2015, they just beat it dispersed

the round before so I remember if I remember well they were like crying at the some of the players were already like tearing during the press conference saying how proud they are

to be the dispersed defending camp first round of the playoffs but things that like it's not over like you have the second round the third round in the finals right so I just felt that against us

I felt like it took us a little bit like for granted 3-1 they really took us for granted that 3-1 like hearing some players but you know like not resting right

or doing other stuff that it was supposed to do as they were up 3-1 so obviously we came back in that series in 1 but when it happened to us in 2018 we're playing a team that has rain so before you before you go I got to put a pit in this for a second.

You heard some players were not exactly resting up. I need you to elaborate on that. You can't just go past that one, yeah. I don't know. I mean, that was a rogue. You know, my English was. Oh, okay, okay. Okay.

Wow. Pivot. I'm not sure who or what, but I just know that they weren't resting house was supposed to. I don't know if they were outlaid or not. or skipping shootarounds or I don't know what they were doing. But yeah, I remember that they were not putting, respecting us as they should during the

playoff series, meaning that as soon as you don't have full wins, it's not over yet. So we came back in that series and won it. So yeah, that's basically what I mean. And yeah, 2018, up 3-1 against the Warriors, I guess. Yeah, and I was, obviously, when you play Warriors, they already have two rings, I guess, already. I mean, it's tough because we were at home. We losing CP3 during the game 6, who obviously was playing to run as well for us the whole year and during the playoffs. so you got

at Gemp 7 at home I remember we up 13 at half I remember I was on the picking roll I was finishing everything I was feeling really confident

in the locker room I was talking I was loud I was like let's go I remember I was really really hyped up but we knew that this team was a really good

third quarter team and obviously it just happened man like the fact that we were not making shots and they were making them, that was the difference. We were getting shots, open shots, like we were missing them. And I remember chasing Clay after a make basket, and he just took off and stopped and shot the three. And it went all net. I remember there were threes were going all net in, and our threes weren't going in.

So that's that was the difference in pretty much any game of basketball. Like if you miss shots, you won't win. And if you make him, you will. And now it was pretty harsh, obviously, because going from up 13 and this team just comes back as they, as they're known for coming back and then third quarter was pretty hard. Obviously, like, it's a make or miss league, right? But that game just took it to like a complete,

different level. And I remember watching it and thinking, okay, they're going to turn the corner here. Houston's going to hit a three. It's going to come. Like it's just like you've never seen anything like this. So you just like part of your brain is like, okay, getting all these open shots. You're going to start making them. But then you guys just don't. And I feel like there's a part in the game where you almost like stop believing in yourselves. Like was there was there a particular miss or a portion of it where it felt like, oh, like God, this just something, something's just happening here. is just like... Yeah, I think I remember like James might,

because it was always like getting, like getting us in the stuff, and then pump faking. I think Clay jumping, trying to get the foul, when they don't call that, when they don't call that, and then you shoot and it just looks bad,

obviously, because it's a bad miss because you're expecting the call and have three free throws. So, and you don't get it, but you still shooting the ball. And no one, they're not.

not tolling anything and the other team just going the other side and score. It kind of, those type of action kind of, it's not helping us because it's a bad miss for us and it's an easy, easy make for them on Fasbreak. So those type of action really like, weighted on us pretty, pretty bad. And after that, yeah, it was, it was, honestly, they were locked into, I mean, we got to give credit to them also. they got it done. But man, it was probably the only game

where I really cried after a loss in my life. Because like I knew that obviously it's always hard to get back to a point where you're going to the Western Conference final and get a chance to go to the finals that close. Being at home,

I had a chance to close it and not doing it. So it happens obviously, it happens fast. obviously you guys know that but like when you're on the court everything happens pretty fast all the time especially during a playoff game

where intensity is out of 100 the whole game especially for game seven so yeah it happened really fast and I fell down to see we we couldn't we couldn't stop them anymore and we weren't able to make shots so

that's it like the result was yeah that we we didn't deserve the win by not making shots. You were pretty young at that time, though. Like, just one more on that. Like, you know, like, you're in your fourth year at that point, I think. How did you already have that perspective?

Because, like, you hear most young players that talk about it, they get drafted onto a contender, they find a role in a contender. They kind of think, like, oh, it's always going to be like this. Yeah, obviously, yeah, my perspective is a little bit different. But I remember because I always, always highlight all the players with me, like, I felt like Houston. I was a rookie for five years. Like,

because all the players I was with were always older than me. Like the younger who I was playing was James all the time, where which I was like, we were like five years apart. And it was always the second youngest stop to me on really like the rotation. So, and you always hear from the, from the vets that,

yeah, like it's not guaranteed. Like, we're not going to just come back here next year. Like, it's hard. Like, other teams are going to get better. team's going to circle their date that whenever they're playing us, it's going to be harder. So obviously, like, when you hear that over and over again and that all of your teammate never had a chance to get to this point before in their career, I'm 24, but I'm looking back. I'm like, damn, that's no joke.

Like, you don't just go back in the Western Conference final and win. So obviously, I just expected that. And being so close to be the team like the Warriors, especially when they had the KD and staff, Clay, and Draymond, I go Dada. So we were there, like, it's crazy. And especially, like, I remember I just couldn't watch any more basketball after that. Because, yeah, I knew that they were going to win. I mean, yeah.

And I felt really proud that we were the only team that brought this team that game seven. that year. Yeah, that would have been a more fun finals than the one we got. I mean, we got like a crazy performance out of LeBron out of that finals, but yeah, I think that would have been a much better finals.

And I remember LeBron saying that the offensive power is just tremendous and that's what it was. That's what forced us to just switch everything and how to guard, like, Katie full court, staff full court. Like, that's what it came down to because any, any witness that they were seeing that were using it.

So, yeah, this is really when, like, the switch everything became, became, like, a big part of our, of our defense and helped us a lot. You've had an interesting career in the fact that, like, you've played with a lot of, like, really noteworthy playmakers. Like, you've played with a lot of guys that could really pass the ball. And, you know, I'm curious about, you know, you and James. James eventually kind of drifted towards the ISO game, in that big year that he had,

but you guys developed a pick and roll chemistry that was incredible. You were talking about that sequence where you were just finishing everything. How long does it take to develop like that kind of, like just sort of sympathical?

How long does it take to get that chemistry where you're just like, no matter what the coverage they're going to throw at us, we have the counter. How quickly did that happen with James? Yeah, this is ISO game. This wasn't a big part of these.

Yeah. I mean, when you can score at this level that he was at, everything has to open because, like, the step back three was, it was insane, man. It was, it was really crazy. And obviously, his passing skills, too, because I remember a lot of pocket pass. It was going between his legs, behind his back.

So he was really like a playwright. He was enjoying the passing of it as well. And, like, he was reading actions. so well. I realize, like, even like today, when I watch, it really has those playmaker skills and take pride in that.

So it's something that he's been doing and being well at it. So, yeah, every night, even if the coverage was different, we just had to adapt on how it set the screen, how to roll, sometimes a short roll, sometimes longer. So you just take what the defense give you,

because the defense can, they can't cover everything. So they're going to have to give you something. So was there a moment where you were just like, where you and James kind of were like, nobody can stop us? Like, because there were, there were points where you guys were like frustrating people. You were, you were putting so many points up. Did you have a moment where you were just like, oh my God, I have incredible chemistry with this guy in the pick and roll? Yeah, no, because I remember James always had the mentality that we wanted to win. So,

we never looked at each other, you know, oh. I mean, just in your own head. I mean, yeah. I was really like, okay, next game, we got to do it again because we knew that we were trying to get back to that conference, it's on top. So, like, being with those guys, like James C.B. or Eric Goren and Trevor, Ries are like all those guys. They just show you that you have to do it over and over again

and over again. So it never stopped. So you never take it for granted. Especially in the 82-game season, I remember at some point we had like a 17 winning streak. Like we were never like it was almost we were showing up and everybody already knew what they had to do. So it was never a player doing something that it wasn't supposed to.

Like I knew that being roller finishing at the rim. Trevor opens open threes and then when you see drivelin is going to drive, CP3 also going to do his thing in ISO. and passing Ryan Anderson, catching two, every going and coming off the bench, being aggressive, do what he does, being a score.

So, like, NeNe, when it was coming, coming off the bench, being strong. So I feel like every single role was just always the same every night and nobody was ever trying to do something that they didn't know.

So in an 82 game season, that helps you to build a consistency on winning. I mean, I feel like, you were kind of the odd man out on that team is like pretty much the only non-shooter. You're pretty much just, you were the guy that was offsetting all of that. You were getting everything inside because of all that. But, you know, you enter, you're with the rockets.

They are basically like the breeding ground with three-point revolution. You're playing the Warriors all the time. The league has changed so much in the time that you've been in it. And like, you know, we talk a lot about change on this show, just players dealing with change, adapting to change, just constant shifts in the league and just aging and all that stuff, right? And, you know, you're one guy that I feel like your game has actually stayed pretty constant throughout. And I don't know. I'm just curious.

Like, were you at, was there ever a point where you started thinking about like, should I start working on my three-point or should I start, you know, just trying to build out? Or you always just felt like comfortable with the game you have. I watched all your threes, Clay. I went back and watched you shot three total, I think, and they were all heaves, basically, like full-court heaves. And I had to go into your Fibba games to find one where you actually shot a three. because it was such a rare thing to see. No, just because I've always been such the fact that I was,

the fact that I was like being able to be efficient, first of all, I didn't pay so much, offensive rebound at such a high rate. Yeah, being, like, offensively, like, there was my offense, like, did offensive rebound, put some pressure on defense on the road over and over again. Like, that was, that is. my that is my that's what I do and and I feel like people were always going to miss so

rebound always going to be important and like yeah one of one of our coaches I used to always say no rebounds no ring so like rebounding is we'll always be important because players going to miss so it will always be important and when you're able to to get rebounds to create extra possession or rebounds to yeah leave yourself to score again or give anyone. That is going to give energy to any team. Any time, I think so. So there's always going to be players that miss.

There's always going to be rebounds. There's something about that I just love. But at the same time, though, there are a lot of players who've played the same role as you that have asked for more. I feel like most big men, they don't necessarily find as much satisfaction in doing what you've been willing to do your entire career.

Like, what is that? Like, is that just something? something like for you you've been able to find that satisfaction. Yeah, because first of all, like it was just starting and we were winning so much from winning streak all the time. And it was always fun and I mean, you know, like you on the plane with the team and guys like like James and PJ Tucker like it was always fun. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know how to explain like an all team was always fun like on the court like on the playing of the court. Like, it was always, it was always fun.

So I was, when you, when you, with your teammate, you enjoy always the time together and stuff like that. You just enjoy being in that, in that type of group. So I just, I wanted to be a part of group like that. I wanted to be a start on winning team and be, and be pouring in it. And that's, that's, that's where I was. So I was just enjoying all of it.

And that I remember, like, James, you'd be always, saying like hey like we got to enjoy all of that because uh it's never guaranteed like one day it's this going to be over so we got to enjoy every single game of it every single win and and that's that's what i was doing how about now though like you're 28 and you know you've been dealing with a planter fasciitis injury for the last few years uh like that you know recovering that you're dealing with an injury right now i'm not saying you're old you're definitely not old but you know as you think about the future of your career, do you think about, okay,

like, what if I incorporated some of that stuff just to prolong it? Yeah, so I feel like I still feel that pretty consistent in what I'm doing. Just have to make sure that, yeah, take care of the body more. Obviously, I was able to take care of that planet for shadows.

But, yeah, no, overall, I still feel like that I'm there. I can bring energy when I see a guy like PJ and the guy like, yeah, like him brings energy every night. And I remember it was like 35, 36, being able to not missing any games. I'm telling myself, why not me? Did PJ have, like, a specific routine, like, or any, like, how was he crazy about his health? That's crazy. Not really.

I've never seen. But he was always there, ready to go. Like, honestly, the energy would always be on top at peak. But, yeah. I've never seen him in the wayroom. I don't think he was going to do some extra stuff, like single-legged squad or not. But when it's game time, he's there,

and he's going to give you those 40 minutes. How crazy is that? No way, yeah. He's like the stockiest most chiseled dude in the league. I'm not sure. I was like, that's natural strength, maybe. Nice, natural strength, man. He was there.

Like, and he had more energy than anybody on the team all the time. So, yeah, why not me? You know, I'm 28, so I have a lot more a year. Yeah, I feel pretty well. So, yeah. We heard that you had, like, some incentives in your contract. I know you have, you have, like, a free throw percentage or you used to, right? And you have, like, a 60%.

In terms, like, speaking of what Sirius talking about, I'm curious if, you know, you've been fortunate to be on good teams where your roles defined. What is that, like, do you sense in some guys that they like, because basketball is a team. sport and I know that like the individualism of it can kind of get can kind of work against that at times and like maybe make guys be unhappy do you think that growing up in like maybe do you think that your path to basketball like in like being soccer obviously is a is a sport where one person can't just dominate the ball the whole game do you think that that affected your perspective on like

the way that and did you like notice the way americans saw the game and like what was your processing of that like oh yeah that was actually one of the first thing that I realized when I first came and I first played with the Rockets. I was like, wow, it's more, yeah, like here, it's really, yeah, it's more one-on-one basketball, obviously, compared to Europe. So, yeah, it was something that I had to adjust by always being able to go one-on-one if I have to, or be just being able to, being able to for everything. You know, always had a go-to-move, being able to offensive rebound live and stuff, but also got to go-to-move. So it's always important, you know, be able to duck in and make a move. So this is something that I really realized when I first came here that, like,

it's not just going to be like European basketball. You just have to be in the space, and we're always going to give it to you, obviously. Before we go, I mean, I wanted to ask you just, like, I alluded to it a minute ago that, like, you know, obviously you play with a lot of awesome passers. CP3 and James and and Trey Young. Who's the best

lob thrower of the guys that you've that you've played with? I know that you're with somebody now that's a, I know you political, but who genuinely like eyes in the back of their head how does this guy such an amazing lawthrow? Who's the best? Obviously, Tray and James are amazing.

That's the thing, these both are the books that most amazing that I've had in my career. But yeah, with James was definitely more consistent because it was for more years and probably more success as a team and was really consistent with it every night. So I think also with James was as high and as, he was a strong body. So he's tough to stop in the pain and even for the big. So it was putting

even more pressure in the pain. That makes it easier. Let's hop into, let's hop into some Hawks questions, the current era hawks who are kind of in the middle of the pack right now. You're 19 and 21. And as I'll start with this, you know, like, you're, you've been the defensive anchor of this team since you, since they were, you were traded to them. You've been asked to play a role as a mediator, as a locker room leader. And we're kind of in this situation now where 19 and 21, the defense has tailed off in the last 15 games.

I think that part part of that is probably, you know, you've missed 11 in the last 13. and they're missing you. You're missing your rebounding for sure. But just watching from the sidelines, have you been able to gain any special insight on what you guys are struggling on the defensive end? Yeah, obviously, a big part of that is, yeah, I'm not out there. It sucks being, not being with the guys.

But obviously, yeah, so 19 and 21. But like we always tell the guys, it's always we have to take one game at a time, not seeing ourselves too far. far already. Next game is the most important game every time. But yeah, obviously, rebounding Fasbrook.

I mean, it's been pretty hard in every, in kind of a lot of parts. Like, it's not only rebounding, it's other stuff. Like, sometimes transition points. Like, yeah, perimeter has been great either. Like, so, like, as well as rebound. So it's been, obviously, it's been hard on every part of the game. And, I mean, it's just something that we have to get better

and keep watching over and over until we can't do it, right? I mean, yeah, there's not much to say, but the next day I'm going to say is that it's not over. Like, I remember two years ago, like, being under five, like probably six games under 500. and being the best team of the east, the second part of the season. So it's not over. And I think that it's just something that you have to stay with and stay focused on the next game

and keep trying on seeing where you can improve. Yeah, I was at your guys' game against the Clippers. And it was probably one of the better defensive efforts that I've seen. And I think more than anything at this time of the year, you're kind of looking to see which teams are ready to jump ship on each other, right? Like you go to certain locker rooms and it's just you can tell that the vibes just aren't really there. But, you know, watching you guys play, it's like the effort is inconsistent, but you have these games like this where I get the sense that you know how talented you could be that you do want to actually put it together. But it just isn't in that place.

But you are still in this weird place where you don't really know what's going to happen next, right? Like guys have been in trade rumors. There's been stuff around Nate potentially considering your designing. and, you know, like, all that stuff. And that's kind of been a part of the Hawks experience, you know, from jump, it feels like. But what's it like sort of navigating that uncertainty, especially when there's, you know, there's so many young guys on this team that also want to make a name for themselves as well.

Yeah, but so the only thing that you can do as a player you always do is just get better. Just watch film, just see, like, what's up and stuff you can do different, and how more efficient can you be on the court and get on to the next game and try to improve it. All this stuff, like outside, like whatever it's been saying, as a player is going to happen regardless, no matter what,

you can't control what's who's going to ask questions to who or what's going to happen, what decisions are going to be made. But the thing that you can control is just go out there and be better. So that's what we all know, And that's what we all talked about. And that's what we got to do because there's, there's, there's no other way. There's no other plan for that.

What do you think about this perception that the Hawks, because it's out there, there's a lot of noise about it. What do you think about this perception that the Hawks of this team that like doesn't get along or that they're not going to quite put it together? What's the, just comment on that? Like in the team that I was in Houston, wasn't really like, we weren't really out like that. So, yeah, sometimes it's just surprising to see us. out there that much, even though that we're not really,

we're not really like, like for me and my experience, I was with Houston before and we were winning a lot of games that we were never out there like that. And being with the Hawks and Ciazza, the name of that team, that much out surprises me a little bit, and I really don't understand why. So, yeah, I just don't always understand why we talk so much about us, even though we haven't done anything really special.

you know. So yeah, it confused me sometimes, but I know that I can't, I don't control that. Like I said, so I just, yeah, me and other players,

like all I said, just, just so what we can do is just keep doing what we do. And it's getting better and trying to win games. So that's my perspective on that. But yeah,

obviously, yeah, I never really understood why us more than other teams. I mean, I would assume it's just, you all are so talented, I guess, right? Like expectations that this, yeah.

Like you said, a lot of young guys, talented guys. Yeah, sometimes, yeah, you just have to make sure that to be a really good, consistent winning team, you have to be sure to play the right way every night or make sure that, yeah, every guy is just like what they're supposed to do, do it every night. And this is when usually, for my experience, that teams get a jump and get better, just when you know what to expect from the guy next to you. and you do it consistently every night at the high level.

You're going to win some, lose some, but at the end of like 82 games, the course of 82 games, the results should be pretty good. So I think that obviously it's not, like you said, we have a lot of times that guys who still try to find themselves in the league, like found himself as great players, solid players, which is an easy to be a winning team, and as well as having guys are really trying to find their path. that's not easy.

You get the sense that, you know, some of the young guys, is there a pressure to have this thing work just because of the level of talent that is on the team? The pressure sounds to what? To make this work just because of a level of talent on this team.

Yeah, like you said, like you saw the last game. So we have, I think we have what it takes. I think we have all the tools that we need. But, yeah, for younger players, it's not always easy to bring, to bring the consistent level

consistent that level consistently every night because in the sleep that's what it comes down to when you see the best player the best teams that's what they do every night

whatever they do they do it every night consistently and this is how they stay great this is how those teams always find themselves in the last in the last square

or final four conference finals because they have role players that always do the same thing every night at a high level and those best players always stay at their best the whole season. So in the course of 82 games

and playoff games, you find yourself in the last four or six teams in the playoffs, but you have to commit to that, which is, it's not always easy. It's not always easy to commit to that as you find yourself as a, as you, yeah,

getting yourself as an NBA. a player being young. So it's just something that, yeah, you got to work on with the coaches, with yourself, with the team. And obviously, it's going to be hard regardless. So either you're young old or whatever experience are nights, it's challenging. You ever feel like you guys might believe a little bit too much in your talent? Like, you had that amazing run, and it all comes off with this amazing second half

the season, a bunch of gutsy comebacks and stuff in the playoffs. You make the Eastern Conference finals, and it's like, well, it's, It's just, it was a magical run and it was really unexpected, but it didn't necessarily have the elements that you're talking about here. Like the day to day, everybody playing the same. It was more like certain guys were playing over their heads and certain guys, like, you know, just going on runs and stuff like that. It just like it feels like you guys almost, do you think that you guys still kind of believe that that's the team you are and what's going to happen again? Like those conditions can recreate themselves. But we definitely think we're a playoff team.

So we think that we should be in those playoffs. And obviously now it's halfway through the season. We have a lot of work to team to catch up on. So we have definitely to lacking on that. But like I said, like it's a long season out two years ago. Like we didn't expect that either. And so like obviously like we can't. Nobody knows really.

So we can do it. Like I said, it was like what I did two years ago was just focus on my work and stay focused for the next game, which is the most important game every time. So that's the perspective to have. And obviously, I remember two years ago, nobody was expecting nothing. So it's fine that nobody is expecting anything now. So be it, fine. But I think that my team is a playoff team.

And we have to come from that on the court. And that's the only way we can do. And the only way to prove you guys otherwise is to go and do it. There's no other way. There's no point going back and forth arguing, saying this and that, where when the only truth's going to be on the results. So last thing, just like on, you know, we're going to talk about perceptions that are out there.

There's been a perception around the league, pretty much since he's entered the league, since he's been a rookie of, you know, the kind of teammate that Trey Young is. And you're actually a guy that I think, think is that I've heard is connected with him pretty well. What is it about, Trey, that you don't think, like, the general public understands?

Like, what are we kind of missing about him? Yeah, sometimes people overall have maybe the wrong perspective because they always seem talking, like, Therese or other guys on the team, trash talking, but that's the way that, that's the way that he plays. Like, you know, he needs to be on edge to be at his best. He needs to, he needs, he loves that confrontation. And whenever you were talking about Tristrucker, he's that guy who needs to, who needs that to get him going.

So sometimes, like, it's part of his game, and people have to enjoy that. Like, he's one of the guys who likes to go back and forth, and you probably only lose if you're going to go in that with him. I enjoy sharing that out of him because I feel like it gives the team a type of swagger, confidence, and get him going, get us going, and fired up.

And it reminds me of how, we got where we got two years ago by just being fired of and have some type of swagger and energy. And we need all of our guys at our best. And I feel like he's at his best whenever he's in that mode. Let Trey be Trey. Does he turn that off when he's off the court? Is that like something like he steps on and it goes like the switches on? No, when he has a ball in his hand, he's definitely, he's that guy.

He's a different kind of person. He's, yeah, like the, when you show on that court, that fire, he has that fired him, for sure. Like competitive in everything type thing? Is it like? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. For sure.

Yeah. Especially like in games when it's, when it's time to go and he's ready, but he's, he's the guy. So he's going to be there. There's a challenge. So that's what I like about him. But that's why I think people should enjoy about him, too. Who's the funniest guy on the team? I would say probably

JC John Yeah Always screaming Talking And I do a lot of jokes too But I gotta give it to JC Pranks

Any any Any rookie kind of pranks In the Hawks organization That I've noticed Not that I've noticed So you're not using Ajorie Griffin Yeah

Yeah Oh yeah I do I mean I got to Yeah Pick up my lunch Kind of thing Oh go

Go grab breakfast Go I need you to go To the store For me Yeah, obviously, you got his duty inside of me, but yeah, I don't really see him doing anything for anybody else. So they're pretty nice on him, I guess. So he has it easier, like, did he have it easier than you?

Like you were talking about you were speaking French? I mean, did anybody still try to haze you when you were a rookie? No, I got lucky because I had Nick Johnson with me, so they were pretty hard on him. Me, I was like, wait, what? No, I don't understand. Sorry, and they were living me alone. So it worked out pretty much. It's pretty convenient.

Only one time I had to bring Dwight Howard's bag from the plane to his car for like 5K. So that was pretty easy to do. I was like, wait, what? Okay. Thank you. Oh, he paid you. Okay. I mean, I have to take care of your rooks too.

Like, yeah. I went my roots in a year ago. Like, like, he was taking care of me, like, gave my food. all my stuff that I needed. You got to take care of them sometimes, you know, show them some love. Because they have to know it's part of the process too. This pretty much covers it.

Thanks so much for hopping on, Clint. We appreciate it. Yeah, man. Give us a lot of time. We appreciate it. Pleasure, guys. Thanks, what you got having me. Yeah.

When can we expect you back? Any updates? Yeah, I mean, I start with definitely feeling better doing some live basketball court. And now I'm just trying to work myself back on being able to do more runs than just like half-court stuff. So I started doing a little bit of live basketball. And I think I still have to get more some of me to feel confident enough to be in a basketball game.

All right. Well, good luck with the rest of your recovery. Good luck with the rest of the Hawk season, halfway point. So we'll see what happens from here. Maybe you guys are shocked the world again. Thanks again, Clint. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thanks to Clint Capella for joining us.

Thank you, Kyle, for providing us with, you know, just your rhythmic voice. Thank you, Chris, for producing, as always. Thank you all for listening, and we'll talk to you next week.