When Clint Capela first arrived in Houston as a uncooked 20-year-old in 2014, he was the energetic apprentice to the “Lob City” period of the Rockets.
After a extremely productive five-year stint in Atlanta, the veteran massive man has come full circle, returning to the Toyota Center in 2025 as a seasoned defensive anchor. In a 2026 season outlined by high-stakes competitors and a shifting Western Conference hierarchy, Capela supplies a gradual, rim-protecting presence for a Rockets squad trying to recapture the magic of his first tenure.
But Capela’s world extends far past the hardwood of the NBA. A polyglot with deep roots in Switzerland and the Republic of Congo, he watches the worldwide sports activities panorama with the attention of a real worldwide ambassador.
With the 2026 World Cup arriving in North America this summer time, Capela is balancing his pursuit of a deep playoff run with the historic soccer milestones of his house nations. In this unique dialog, he breaks down the intersection of soccer and basketball, his “starting five” of soccer-ready NBA stars and why consistency is the final word mark of greatness.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve at all times been a fan of the “other” soccer. As knowledgeable athlete, what’s one thing you see in basketball that you simply suppose interprets straight over into soccer?
Clint Capela: Something that basketball will translate? Just the velocity and the footwork, you understand? Obviously that togetherness, taking part in as a staff and stuff like that for certain.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking on the subsequent six months to a yr, there may be a lot world momentum. What do you see by way of soccer crossing over into the basketball world?
Clint Capela: The World Cup is coming right here and I’m very excited as a result of each of my nations are qualifying in Switzerland and [Republic] of Congo that are my house nations. It doesn’t get higher than this.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: That is a legendary state of affairs for your loved ones. Between Switzerland and Congo, who’re you really pulling for when the match kicks off?
Clint Capela: I’m 50-50 for certain. I believe for Congo it’s the primary time qualifying in seven years or one thing? So that might be even crazier, you understand? So they play within the playoffs in March, in order that they bought a great likelihood.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you needed to construct an NBA “Starting Five” of fellows who may really maintain their very own on a soccer pitch, who’re you choosing?
Clint Capela: Joel Embiid. I’d say Luka [Dončić], [Pascal] Siakam, Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and [Nikola] Jokić.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve been part of some legendary Rockets groups previously. Comparing this 2026 group to your first run in Houston, do you suppose this model of the staff is best?
Clint Capela: We have an opportunity to do higher. I imply, each season is totally different. The highway is totally different and the model of play is totally different… I imply, earlier than the swagger was totally different for certain. We felt like that we had been… I don’t wish to say Hollywood but it surely was numerous guys with that swagger factor that we had that felt fairly particular.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You spent a major period of time in Atlanta. Do you ever end up pulling up the Hawks on League Pass when you’ve got an evening off?
Clint Capela: I watch generally. I just like the younger guys. I like what I see. They’re an awesome expertise. He’s [Jonathan Kuminga] and he’s representing a bit of little bit of the Congo however I like to see how J bought higher — I noticed him as a rookie in 2021 and he’s gotten so a lot better so I actually recognize that. I actually like to see his price.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As one of many elite defensive bigs within the recreation, who’re the opposite facilities that you simply genuinely get pleasure from watching once you’re a fan for an evening?
Clint Capela: Jokić. Because he sees every part and he can do every part and he’s so constant each evening. It’s not one recreation wows. It’s tomorrow evening, two days, 4 days… 2 years, 4-5 to eight years. I imply, it’s a must to recognize that as a result of it’s exhausting to be at that stage each evening for that a few years.
Clint Capela’s perspective is considered one of a person who appreciates the longevity of greatness. Whether he’s praising the year-over-year consistency of Nikola Jokić or marveling on the development of a younger expertise like Jonathan Kuminga, Capela understands that the NBA is a marathon, not a dash. His return to Houston has introduced a way of perspective to a locker room stuffed with younger expertise, reminding them that whereas “swagger” is particular, it’s the footwork and togetherness that finally result in profitable.
As the 2026 World Cup looms and the NBA postseason approaches, Capela finds himself on the middle of a historic sporting second. He isn’t only a middle for the Rockets; he’s a bridge between cultures and eras. If Congo can navigate their March playoffs and safe that spot, Capela will probably be cheering simply as exhausting as he does when he’s defending the rim in Houston. For the person they name the Swiss Bank, the worth is at all times within the consistency—each on the courtroom and in his roots.
