Houston Rockets center Clint Capela clearly saw part of an ESPN article on Deandre Ayton where the Los Angeles Lakers big man was quoted yelling, “they trying to make me Clint Capela.”
The Suns’ No. 1 overall pick in 2018 did himself no favors with a follow-up performance to the story of just two points and four rebounds in Thursday’s loss to Phoenix.
Capela’s clap back Thursday only added to the optics.
“U got 2 of the best floor generals in the game my dawg. (Lock in),” the Rockets center said on Instagram.
The reaction comes after ESPN’s Dave McMenamin included a quote from Ayton centered around his frustration on his role with the Lakers.
After recording 21 points and 13 rebounds in a Tuesday loss to Orlando for his first 20-10 game since Jan. 30, Ayton didn’t hold back in the locker room.
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“They’re trying to make me Clint Capela,” Ayton reportedly yelled postgame, “I’m not no Clint Capela!”
It’s one thing to randomly call out Capela, who is very much a reserve at this point in his career but has 12 NBA seasons under his belt. It’s another that Ayton couldn’t back it up the next game.
In Thursday’s 113-110 loss to the Suns, Ayton had a complete opposite stat line behind just two points on 1-of-3 shooting and four rebounds across 23 minutes. He was a -24 plus-minus.
Deandre Ayton is WORSE than Clint Capela 😂 pic.twitter.com/gWdbF0uK11
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) February 27, 2026
Capela’s social media post only added to the optics.
Ayton continues to try to find his footing following his departure from Phoenix to Portland via trade in 2023.
After five seasons with Phoenix, the center would last just two with the Trail Blazers before being bought out by the team.
He went on to sign with the Lakers last July and has started 50 games for the franchise. The big man is averaging 13 points on 66.5% shooting to go along with 8.9 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game.
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/NinWDfR
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