Houston Rockets center Clint Capela responded playfully to Los Angeles Lakers big man Deandre Ayton this week, following Ayton’s locker room comments. Ayton had declared he does not want to emulate Capela, saying, “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela. I’m not no Clint Capela!” after a 21-point, 13-rebound performance against Orlando, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Capela shared an Instagram story Thursday night reacting to Ayton’s remarks. He posted an ESPN quote featuring Ayton’s comment, writing, “U got 2 of the best floor general in the game my dawg Lockinnn,” accompanied by two crying-laughing emojis.
Ayton, 27, has struggled with consistency this season, but his 20-10 game against the Magic marked his first in nearly a month. He scored 21 points on 11 field goal attempts and grabbed 13 rebounds, giving the Lakers a live, active presence inside against Orlando’s frontline of Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Jonathan Isaac.
This season, Ayton is averaging 13 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while playing 28.1 minutes per contest for the Lakers, who currently hold a 34-24 record in the Western Conference.
The Rockets, meanwhile, sit at 37-21, with Capela contributing 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.
Capela, known for his lob-catching and rim-running during his prime years with Houston, remains a reference point for energetic, high-efficiency big men in the NBA.
