Capela rewards self for block by bucket on other end
Though finishing a fast break started by his own blocked shot might appear a particularly difficult challenge, Rockets center Clint Capela said the jolt of energy that comes from the blocked shot does fuel his charge in the other direction.
“It feels weird. Whenever you block a shot, it gives you energy on everything,” said Capela, coming off a careerhigh playoff high of 26 points in Wednesday’s series-clinching 122-104 victory over the Timberwolves. “Every time I block a shot, I try to sprint the other way, make myself available.
“If it’s not me, it’s one of the shooters. When I get a bucket like that, it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like a reward for what I did on the other end.”
It also is something that would be typical of his most celebrated predecessor, and inspired Hakeem Olajuwon to offer his encouragement.
“He said I was great with confidence, energy, to keep it up,” Capela said. “Keep it up.”
Living by slogan ‘so what, what’s next’
As much as Mike D’Antoni has wanted his players to avoid the emotional highs and lows, using a slogan “so what, what’s next” throughout his two seasons as Rockets coach, he has found his roster full of veterans particularly businesslike in their approach.
“They’ve been through all the wars,” D’Antoni said. “And we talk about it. We talk about, if you win or lose, go on to the next one. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. Stay even keeled. Don’t waste any energy on emotion. Methodically, we got to do what we do. They’re veteran enough to be able to do that.”
The Rockets’ least-experienced rotation player, , is in his fourth season. is in his seventh season, and James Harden is in his ninth.
“That’s something through the years of experience, you go through so many things you see every day,” guard Chris Paul, a 13-year veteran, said. “That’s something I’ve learned a lot, too, from coach and guys we have on our team this year. Communicate about things and go from there.”
Mbah a Moute likely to play in this series
Rockets forward Luc Mbah
a Moute went through the non-contact portion of practice Friday, but he still was not given a timetable for his return from a dislocated shoulder.
Though the Rockets practiced without knowing when their second-round series will begin, they were doubtful he would return from his dislocated shoulder in time for Game 1.
Coach Mike D’Antoni said he thought Mbah a Moute would play in the series, but the forward is not expected to be re-evaluated until next week. Mbah a Moute was hurt on a dunk April 10 in Los Angeles.
“The series, yes. Again, middle of next week, I think they’ll look at it real hard, see where he is,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t think he’ll be ready if it’s Sunday (for Game 1). Tuesday, they’ll look at it, but doubtful.”