UpdatedOctober 22, 2024, 3:33 p.m.
Basketball series – Episode 7Clint Capela: “I found out I was going to Atlanta when I woke up”
Ten years ago, the Genevan crossed the Atlantic to play in the NBA. From Chalon to Atlanta, his meetings with Kobe Bryant or Barack Obama, he recounts his journey.
- par
- Jeremy Santallo
Clint Capela, center, on the Atlanta Hawks bench after his February 2020 trade.
Getty Images via AFPThursday July 11. Like every summer, Clint Capela is back in Geneva. At 208 centimeters tall, the child from Meyrin walks his imposing silhouette in front of the Vergers school hall. He is there for his camp with the young people, which is in its fifth edition. Ten years ago, “CC” took the plunge towards the NBA and the United States. “I feel old,” he laughs. At 30 years old, the Atlanta Hawks pivot still has a few years ahead of him. For “Le Matin”, he agreed to review souvenir photos and tell what they evoke to him, during an “open book” interview in the cafeteria. In complete relaxation.
His transfer from Houston to Atlanta
“This photo was right after I was traded. In Houston, we were on a bit of a downward slide. The leaders had traded Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook. With him, we did not improve our results. And then I was told that I was also moving, to the Atlanta Hawks, to a team that was on the rise with Trae Young.
»While the transfer was happening, I was sleeping. When I woke up, I had lots of messages and missed calls. I called back the general manager of the Rockets, who told me that to continue my progress, it was better that I leave. With James Harden, we were the oldest on the team. Of my year rookiethere was no one left except us (laughs). I knew it was going to happen at some point in my career. I was happy to have re-signed for 5 years before leaving. At least I was financially secure.
»I wasn’t jaded about going to Atlanta. You just follow the instructions. We give you your flight ticket and the time for your physical tests with your new team. I stayed two days before leaving to take some things to Houston. It’s not hard to transfer, because it’s not like you have kids and you have to choose their school and all that.
»I wasn’t worried. I knew I was a real NBA player, coming to a young team to help them. We went from 20 wins to 41 the following season. We make the Eastern Conference final against the Bucks, the future champions. We defended well but they had an armada: we lacked size, especially when they played with Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the field at the same time. Milwaukee still had Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton. We couldn’t have done better.”
Episode 1: in Chalon, at the training center
Episode 2: in New York, for the NBA draft
Episode 3: in Houston, his first NBA game
Episode 4: in Los Angeles, his duel with Kobe Bryant
Episode 5: his meeting with Barack Obama
Episode 6: with the Rockets, the regret of 2018
The next episode: his relationship to money
